QR Code Statistics 2026: Data From 47 Million Scans
QR code usage is growing rapidly in 2026. This report analyses 47 million+ scans and 1.3 million+ QR codes created on the IMQRScan platform, covering the most popular QR code types, device split, industry usage, scan trends, and what the data means for businesses using QR codes in marketing and operations.
QR code statistics — key questions answered
Fast answers to the most searched questions about QR code usage in 2026, based on IMQRScan platform data and verified industry sources.
How many QR codes are scanned per day in 2026?
Industry estimates place global QR code scans at over 2 billion per day in 2026. IMQRScan alone tracked 47 million scans across its platform between 2024 and 2026, reflecting strong growth in restaurant, retail, and marketing use cases. (IMQRScan, 2026; industry estimate)
What percentage of QR scans come from smartphones?
Over 98% of QR code scans occur on smartphones. iOS accounts for approximately 54% of scans globally and Android 44%, with the remaining 2% from tablets and desktops. iOS leads in the US, UK, and Australia; Android dominates in India and Southeast Asia. (IMQRScan, 2026)
What is the most popular QR code type in 2026?
URL and website QR codes are the most created type, used by 82% of IMQRScan users. Among business-specific types, Google Review QR codes and WhatsApp QR codes are the fastest-growing categories, up 280% and 210% respectively between 2024 and 2026. (IMQRScan, 2026)
Are QR codes still growing in 2026?
Yes. The global QR code market exceeded $13 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $22 billion by 2028, an 18% annual growth rate. Dynamic QR code creation on IMQRScan grew 340% between 2024 and 2026, driven by payments, marketing, and healthcare adoption. (IMQRScan, 2026)
Which industries use QR codes the most?
Restaurants and hospitality lead QR adoption — over 80% of full-service restaurants globally now use digital menu QR codes. Retail, marketing agencies, events, and payments (especially India and Latin America) follow. Healthcare and real estate are the fastest-growing sectors in 2026. (IMQRScan, 2026)
What is the difference between dynamic and static QR codes?
Static QR codes encode fixed content that cannot be changed after creation. Dynamic QR codes store a redirecting URL, allowing the destination to be updated after printing and enabling scan analytics. Dynamic codes generate 36× more scans per code in campaign use and dominate business applications. (IMQRScan, 2026)
How many people in the US scan QR codes?
102.6 million US smartphone users scanned a QR code in 2026, up from 89 million in 2022 — a 15% increase over four years. Around 68% of US consumers used a QR code at least once in the past year, with millennials and Gen Z scanning most frequently. (TEAM LEWIS, 2024)
What is the average QR code scan rate?
Scan rates vary significantly by placement. Restaurant table cards achieve the highest rates at approximately 72%, followed by product packaging at 38%, direct mail at 26%, and outdoor signage at 18%. Adding a descriptive call-to-action label increases scan rates by an average of 37%. (IMQRScan, 2026)
QR code statistics at a glance
A QR code is a two-dimensional barcode that smartphones scan to open links, contacts, menus, or any digital content instantly. All figures below are from IMQRScan platform analytics (47M+ scans, 2024–2026) unless a third-party source is noted.
- Over 2 billion QR code scans occur globally every day in 2026, based on extrapolation from regional scanner population data. (Industry estimate, Statista 2026)
- IMQRScan tracked 47 million individual QR code scan events across its platform between January 2024 and April 2026. (IMQRScan, 2026)
- 1.3 million QR codes were created on the IMQRScan platform across the same period, covering both static and dynamic types. (IMQRScan, 2026)
- Over 98% of QR code scans are performed on smartphones; desktop and tablet scans account for less than 2% of total volume. (IMQRScan, 2026)
- iOS devices account for 54% of global QR scans on the IMQRScan platform; Android accounts for 44%. (IMQRScan, 2026)
- In the US, UK, and Australia, iOS accounts for 68% of QR scans; in India and Southeast Asia, Android leads at 78%. (IMQRScan, 2026)
- URL and website QR codes are the most commonly created type, used by 82% of IMQRScan platform users. (IMQRScan, 2026)
- Google Review QR codes grew 280% in creation volume on the IMQRScan platform between 2024 and 2026 — the fastest-growing QR type. (IMQRScan, 2026)
- WhatsApp QR codes grew 210% between 2024 and 2026, driven by adoption in the Middle East, South Asia, and Latin America. (IMQRScan, 2026)
- Dynamic QR code creation grew 340% on the IMQRScan platform between 2024 and 2026. (IMQRScan, 2026)
- Dynamic QR codes used in marketing campaigns generate 36 times more scans per code than static QR codes in the same context. (IMQRScan, 2026)
- Restaurant table cards achieve a ~72% scan rate — the highest of any QR code placement type tracked by IMQRScan. (IMQRScan, 2026)
- Adding a descriptive call-to-action label increases scan rates by an average of 37%. (IMQRScan, 2025–2026)
- Over 80% of full-service restaurants in developed markets now use QR codes for digital menus. (IMQRScan, 2026)
- 102.6 million US smartphone users scanned a QR code in 2026, up from 89 million in 2022. (Statista, 2026)
- The global QR code market exceeded $13 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach $22 billion by 2028. (Mordor Intelligence)
All IMQRScan figures are aggregated, anonymised platform analytics. No personally identifiable data is included. See full methodology ↓
QR Code Industry Statistics 2026
QR codes have moved from pandemic-era novelty to permanent fixture in business communication. The global market has grown substantially year on year, and 2026 data confirms this trend is accelerating rather than plateauing.
Why QR code adoption keeps growing in 2026: Contactless payment adoption, the permanent shift to digital menus post-pandemic, and the expansion of QR codes into packaging, healthcare, and real estate have extended QR code usage far beyond its original "scan to visit a website" use case. The versatility of dynamic QR codes that are editable after printing, trackable with analytics has made them essential marketing infrastructure for businesses of all sizes.
IMQRScan platform growth: IMQRScan tracked a 340% increase in dynamic QR code creation between 2024 and 2026, driven primarily by restaurant, retail, and marketing use cases. Trackable QR codes now make up the majority of business-use codes created on IMQRScan. A shift that has happened entirely since 2022. Before then, most businesses created a static QR, printed it, and hoped for the best. The turning point was when business owners realised they'd printed 500 flyers with a QR pointing to a page that no longer existed.
Industry estimate based on multiple marketing surveys, 2024–2025.
Industry figures: Mordor Intelligence, Statista, 2025–2026. IMQRScan platform data: internal analytics.
Most Popular QR Code Types in 2026
Based on 1.3M+ QR codes created on IMQRScan, URL and website QR codes remain the most common type, but business-specific types i.e., Google Review, WhatsApp, and vCard & more are growing fastest as businesses move beyond simple link QR codes.
QR code types by creation volume (IMQRScan platform, 2024–2026)
Note: Percentages reflect share of users creating each type (multiple types per account possible). Source: IMQRScan platform data.
Fastest growing QR types 2024→2026
Google Review QR codes grew 280% between 2024 and 2026
The fastest-growing type on our platform by a wide margin. This surprised us at first, until we realised that asking someone to 'search our business on Google and leave a review' has roughly a 3% completion rate. Pointing them to a Google review QR code on receipts, table cards, or flyers that opens the review form in two taps gets it done while their coffee is still warm.
WhatsApp QR codes grew 210%
Between 2024 and 2026, driven primarily by businesses in the Middle East, South Asia, and Latin America where WhatsApp is the primary customer communication channel.
Multi-link QR codes grew 195%
Multi-link QR codes (link-in-bio style pages accessed via one scan), reflecting the maturity of QR code marketing. Businesses now use a single QR to consolidate multiple touchpoints rather than multiple QR codes for different destinations.
UPI payment QR codes grew 200%
UPI payment QR codes saw the highest regional growth in South Asian markets, with India leading adoption as QR-based payments became the dominant contactless payment method.
QR Code Scans by Device in 2026
Over 98% of QR code scans are performed on smartphones. Desktop and tablet scans make up under 2% of total volume, reinforcing that QR code landing pages and destinations must be mobile-optimised first.
Scan platform split
Source: IMQRScan scan analytics, global aggregate 2024–2026.
iOS vs Android split by region
What this means for your QR code campaigns
Mobile-first destination pages are non-negotiable. With 98%+ of scans on mobile, any page linked from a QR code that isn't fully mobile-optimised will result in a poor user experience. IMQRScan's dynamic QR codes with mobile-optimised landing pages perform significantly better in these markets.
iOS users tend to scan faster. iPhone users with iOS 11+ can scan QR codes directly from the native camera app without any additional app. This frictionless experience drives higher scan rates in iOS-dominant markets.
Multilingual landing pages matter. With scanners across 22+ languages and countries with different dominant platforms, IMQRScan's auto-language detection — which adapts QR landing pages based on visitor browser settings — has become a meaningful engagement driver in non-English markets.
Test scans before printing. A QR code should be tested on both iOS and Android before being printed at scale. Certain customisations (low contrast, oversized logos) fail more frequently on Android's camera than iOS. IMQRScan's generator previews scan reliability in real time.
QR Code Usage by Industry in 2026
QR codes are used across virtually every industry, but adoption rates and primary use cases vary significantly. Restaurants remain the highest-volume industry for QR creation, while healthcare and retail are the fastest-growing adoption sectors.
| Industry | Primary QR use case | Adoption rate | Growth trend | Most used type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurants / Hospitality | Digital menus, table ordering | Very high | ↑ Stable | Menu QR |
| Retail | Product info, promotions, reviews | High | ↑ Growing fast | URL / Google Review |
| Marketing agencies | Campaign tracking, print-to-digital | High | ↑ Growing | Dynamic URL |
| Healthcare | Patient info, appointment links | Medium | ↑ Growing fast | URL / vCard |
| Events / Conferences | Check-in, schedules, networking | High | ↑ Growing | Event / vCard |
| Real estate | Property listings, contact capture | Medium | ↑ Growing | URL / vCard |
| Education | Course materials, attendance | Medium | → Steady | URL / File |
| E-commerce / Packaging | Product details, re-order links | Medium | ↑ Growing | URL / Product |
| Payments (India / LatAm) | UPI payments, contactless checkout | Very high | ↑ Growing fast | UPI / PayPal |
Restaurant and hospitality QR adoption is nearly universal
Following the 2020–2022 contactless shift, digital menus via QR code have become a permanent fixture in restaurants globally. Over 80% of full-service restaurants in developed markets now use QR codes for menus, and a growing share also use them for reviews and payments. The question for most hospitality businesses is no longer whether to use QR codes, but which platform gives the best analytics and reliability.
Dynamic vs Static QR Code Adoption in 2026
One of the clearest trends in QR code usage data is the shift from static to dynamic QR codes for business use. Static QR codes still account for the majority of total QR codes created globally, but dynamic QR codes with analytics are dominant among business users and are growing at a significantly faster rate.
Static QR codes
Free forever, fixed contentStatic QR codes are ideal for permanent, low-maintenance use cases where tracking is not required. They never expire and work without a subscription.
Dynamic QR codes
Editable after printing, includes scan analyticsDynamic QR codes dominate business use. The ability to update destination URLs without reprinting, combined with scan tracking, makes them essential for any campaign or operational QR code.
QR Code Scan Rate Benchmarks 2026
Not all QR codes perform equally. Scan rate — the percentage of people who see a QR code and scan it, varies significantly based on placement, design, context, and call-to-action. These benchmarks from IMQRScan data and industry research help businesses set realistic performance expectations.
Average scan rates by placement type
Averages across IMQRScan platform campaigns, 2025–2026. Actual rates vary by industry and context.
What increases QR code scan rates
Clear call-to-action increases scans by 37%+. QR codes with a descriptive CTA label — "Scan to see today's menu", "Scan to leave a review" — consistently outperform codes with no label. IMQRScan's frame and CTA feature lets users add these labels directly to the QR code design.
Custom branding increases trust and scans. Branded QR codes with logos and on-brand colours see higher scan rates because users associate them with a known brand rather than an anonymous black square. Logo QR codes show an average 29% higher scan rate than plain black-and-white codes.
Size matters. QR codes smaller than 2cm × 2cm fail to scan reliably, especially on Android devices. For print materials, the recommended minimum is 3cm × 3cm. For large format (posters, banners), scale proportionally with the viewing distance.
Placement context drives intent. A QR code at a restaurant table when someone is looking at the menu has a completely different intent context than a QR code on the outside of a package. The highest-performing placements are those where the QR code directly solves an immediate user need — ordering, paying, getting more information.
Data methodology and sources
IMQRScan platform data (labelled "IMQRScan, 2026" throughout this report) is derived from aggregate, anonymised analytics across all QR codes created and scanned on the IMQRScan platform between January 2024 and April 2026. This covers 47,000,000+ individual scan events and 1,300,000+ QR codes across 22+ countries. No personally identifiable information is included. Percentages represent proportional shares of the measured sample and are rounded to the nearest whole number.
Third-party industry figures (labelled with source names such as "Statista", "Mordor Intelligence", or "Team Lewis") are cited from publicly available market research reports. Where a figure is an extrapolation or estimate, this is noted explicitly. IMQRScan does not endorse and is not affiliated with third-party sources cited.
Scan rate benchmarks are averages across platform campaigns and will vary by industry, placement quality, QR code design, and audience. They are provided as directional benchmarks, not guarantees of performance.
This page is produced by the IMQRScan editorial and data team. For press enquiries or data licensing, contact support@imqrscan.com. Statistics are reviewed and updated quarterly.
QR Code Statistics — Frequently Asked Questions
Sources and references
- IMQRScan platform analytics, 2024–2026. Internal data. Methodology ↑
- TEAM LEWIS Research. "Consumer Perceptions of QR Codes." teamlewis.com
- Mordor Intelligence. "QR Code Market Size & Share Report, 2025–2030." mordorintelligence.com
- Statista. "Number of smartphone users who scanned a QR code in the United States, 2019–2026." statista.com
- Denso Wave Incorporated. "History of QR Code." denso-wave.com
QR Code is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Incorporated.
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