QR code · 1–40 (Model 2)
QR code version
Versions 1 to 40 set the grid size, from 21×21 to 177×177 modules.
Key facts
| Versions | 1–40 (Model 2) |
|---|---|
| Modules per side | 17 + 4 × version |
| Version 1 | 21 × 21 |
| Version 40 | 177 × 177 |
| Alignment patterns | From version 2 upward |
| Version information | 18 bits, present from version 7 |
The grid grows by four
Each version adds a one-module ring plus space for alignment patterns, so the side length follows 17 + 4v. The encoder picks the smallest version that fits the payload at the chosen error-correction level. Version is not a quality setting: a higher version means a denser symbol, not a more reliable one.
Alignment and version information
Versions 2 and up carry alignment patterns — small concentric squares that let the scanner correct for perspective distortion. From version 7, an 18-bit block encodes the version number twice so the decoder can determine the grid size from the symbol itself.
Frequently asked questions
How many modules is a QR code?
A version 1 symbol is 21×21 = 441 modules; version 40 is 177×177 = 31,329. The module count rises quadratically with version.
Why did my QR code get denser after adding a character?
The payload crossed a capacity boundary, so the encoder moved to the next version. Shortening the URL or lowering the error-correction level can bring it back.
Is a higher version better?
No. It only means more capacity. You want the lowest version that holds the payload at the error-correction level you need.