QR Code Statistics 2026: 80+ Facts, Market Data & Trend Analysis

QR Code Statistics 2026 — 80+ Facts, Market Data & Trend Analysis

Last updated: April 2, 2026

Key QR Code Statistics for 2026 at a Glance

• $15.23 billion is the global QR code market value in 2026, projected to reach $33.14 billion by 2031 at 16.82% CAGR
• 102.6 million Americans are projected to scan QR codes in 2026
• ~1 trillion QR codes were scanned globally in 2025, roughly 2.7 billion per day
• 64.92% of QR code format revenue comes from dynamic QR codes
• 75% of restaurants worldwide now use QR codes
• 98% of marketers report a positive impact from QR codes (Uniqode 2026)
• Only 12% of marketers measure the direct revenue impact of their QR code campaigns
• $3 trillion in annual spending flows through QR code payment systems
• 84% of marketers plan to integrate AI with QR code campaigns
• 89.3% of detected QR code attacks are credential phishing ("quishing")

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Ninety-eight percent of marketers say QR codes deliver positive results. But only 12% actually measure the revenue those codes generate.

That gap, buried in Uniqode's State of QR Codes 2026 report released in March 2026, is the most important number in this entire article. Not the $15 billion market size. Not the billion-scans-per-day volume. The fact that nearly nine out of ten marketers deploy QR codes without knowing whether they make money.

This post breaks down 80+ QR code statistics for 2026, sourced from Uniqode's survey of 524 marketers and 1,000 consumers (plus analysis of 188 million scans), Mordor Intelligence market research, eMarketer projections, and platform data from QR TIGER, Bitly, and others. But unlike every other statistics roundup ranking for this query, we won't just dump numbers. We'll connect the data to what it actually means for businesses trying to get measurable results from QR codes.

If you're using QR codes and not tracking performance, you're part of the 88%. Here's the data that should convince you to change that.

QR Code Market Size and Growth Statistics

Global QR Code Market Value (2024-2031)

The QR code market has moved well past the "pandemic novelty" phase. According to Mordor Intelligence, the global QR code market reached $15.23 billion in 2026, up from $13.04 billion in 2025. That's a 16.8% year-over-year increase.

The five-year forecast looks even more aggressive. Mordor projects the market will hit $33.14 billion by 2031, growing at a 16.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Other research firms have published higher estimates. Grand View Research projects $61.73 billion by 2033, while Future Market Insights has pegged the current market at $15.95 billion with a projected $73.44 billion by 2035.

The spread between estimates reflects different methodologies and market definitions, but the directional signal is consistent. Every major research firm projects double-digit CAGR through the end of the decade.

Key market size data points:

Year	Market Value	Source
2024	~$11.2B	Mordor Intelligence
2025	$13.04B	Mordor Intelligence
2026	$15.23B	Mordor Intelligence
2031 (projected)	$33.14B	Mordor Intelligence
2033 (projected)	$61.73B	Grand View Research

Market Growth Rate (CAGR) Projections

Multiple research organizations confirm sustained double-digit growth:

• 16.82% CAGR from 2026 to 2031 (Mordor Intelligence)
• 17.03% CAGR from 2026 to 2030 in alternative models
• 20.0% CAGR through 2033 per the most bullish projections
• 323% cumulative growth in QR code usage from 2021 to 2025

The growth rate has actually accelerated since 2022. Early projections in 2021-2022 estimated 15-16% CAGR. Revised 2026 estimates are closer to 17%, driven by regulatory mandates (GS1 Sunrise 2027, EU Digital Product Passport), payment system expansion in Asia, and the shift from marketing gimmick to enterprise infrastructure.

Dynamic vs. Static QR Code Market Share

Not all QR codes are equal. Dynamic QR codes, which allow destination editing and scan tracking after printing, now command 64.92% of total format revenue. Static codes (fixed destination, no tracking) hold the remaining 35%.

The revenue split is even more lopsided than the usage split. While plenty of static QR codes exist on business cards and product labels, the money flows to dynamic codes because they serve business needs that justify paid subscriptions: campaign tracking, A/B testing, real-time analytics, and destination updates without reprinting.

Dynamic QR codes are growing faster too, at 17.27% CAGR through 2031 compared to the overall market's 16.82%. And 79% of businesses that use QR codes now choose dynamic over static.

The business case is straightforward. A static QR code printed on 10,000 flyers can't be updated, tracked, or turned off. A dynamic code can do all three. When you factor in the hidden cost of reprinting, the price difference between static and dynamic becomes trivial.

QR Code Usage and Adoption Statistics

How Many People Scan QR Codes in 2026?

The short answer: over 100 million in the United States alone, and billions worldwide.

According to eMarketer, 102.6 million Americans are projected to scan a QR code in 2026. That's roughly one in three Americans. Globally, 84% of mobile users have scanned a QR code at least once, and 44.6% of internet users scan at least one QR code per month.

Those aren't niche adoption numbers. That's mainstream behavior.

QR Code Scan Volume

Global scan volume hit a staggering scale in 2025, with an estimated 1 trillion QR codes scanned over the course of the year. That translates to roughly 2.7 billion scans per day.

To put that in perspective, Google processes about 8.5 billion searches per day. QR code scans are now operating at nearly a third of Google search volume. The difference is that almost nobody is measuring QR scan outcomes with the rigor they apply to search analytics.

Scan volumes grew 323% between 2021 and 2025. The pandemic-era surge didn't recede. It compounded. Contactless menus became permanent. Product packaging added QR codes for compliance. Payment systems scaled across Asia. Marketing teams kept printing codes on everything from billboards to receipts.

QR Code Adoption by Country

QR code adoption varies dramatically by geography:

• China: 67.4% monthly scan rate among mobile users. QR code payments are the dominant transaction method.
• India: 709 million+ active UPI QR codes. QR payments are integral to daily commerce.
• United States: 102.6 million projected scanners in 2026. Adoption accelerated post-pandemic and hasn't slowed.
• Japan: Birthplace of the QR code (invented by Denso Wave in 1994). High adoption in payments and transit.
• South Korea, Singapore, Southeast Asia: QR-based payments and government services are widespread.
• Europe: Growing adoption driven by EU Digital Product Passport mandates and GS1 Sunrise 2027.

Asia-Pacific remains the dominant region, driven primarily by payment system integration. But North America and Europe are catching up, propelled by marketing adoption and regulatory requirements rather than payments.

QR Code Demographics

Who actually scans QR codes? The data breaks a few assumptions:

Age Group	Share of QR Code Users	Weekly Scanning Rate
18-32 (Gen Z)	Large segment	49% scan weekly
33-46 (Millennials)	41% (largest group)	51% scan weekly
47-54 (Gen X)	Moderate segment	Growing adoption
55+ (Boomers)	Smaller but growing	Steady increase

The biggest surprise: ages 33-46 are the largest QR code user group at 41%, not Gen Z. Millennials scan more frequently too, with 51% scanning at least weekly compared to Gen Z's 49%.

Gender distribution is approximately equal, with no statistically significant difference in scanning behavior between men and women.

The age data matters for marketers. If you assumed QR codes only work for younger audiences, the data says otherwise. The heaviest usage comes from the demographic with the most purchasing power.

QR Code Adoption by Industry

QR codes have penetrated virtually every sector, but adoption rates vary significantly by industry.

Restaurants and Hospitality Lead at 75%

Three out of four restaurants worldwide now use QR codes, making food service the most QR-saturated industry. The use case is obvious: digital menus eliminate printing costs, enable instant updates, and (when properly implemented) increase average order value by up to 60%.

The pandemic forced the initial adoption wave. What kept it going was the operational efficiency. A restaurant that updates its menu seasonally no longer reprints 200 table cards. A single update to a dynamic QR code propagates instantly.

But here's the gap: most restaurant QR codes are static links to a PDF. They generate zero data about customer behavior. How many people viewed the appetizer section versus desserts? Which menu items get the most attention? These are answerable questions with the right analytics setup, and virtually nobody in the restaurant industry is asking them.

Retail and E-commerce (46%)

Nearly half of retailers have integrated QR codes into their operations. Use cases span product information, loyalty programs, inventory management, and in-store-to-online bridges. Retailers use QR codes to connect physical shelf space with digital product detail pages, reviews, and purchase options.

The biggest driver for 2026-2027 is the approaching GS1 Sunrise 2027 mandate, which requires retailers to accept 2D barcodes (including QR codes) at point of sale. This regulatory push is converting QR codes from a marketing channel into core retail infrastructure.

Product Packaging (46%)

The same 46% adoption rate applies to product packaging, where QR codes serve a dual purpose: consumer engagement and regulatory compliance. CPG brands are embedding QR codes on packaging for connected packaging experiences, including ingredient transparency, usage instructions, loyalty programs, and sustainability storytelling.

The EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) requirement, with its registry launching in July 2026, is accelerating this trend. By 2027, batteries, textiles, and electronics sold in the EU will need QR-accessible digital product passports.

Logistics and Supply Chain (43%)

QR codes in logistics handle shipment tracking, warehouse management, and proof-of-delivery documentation. The logistics sector values QR codes for their higher data density compared to traditional barcodes, enabling a single scan to capture sender, receiver, contents, handling instructions, and routing data.

Additional Industry Adoption Rates

• Inventory management: 39%
• Marketing: 37%
• Healthcare: 72% using or planning to use QR codes (driven by the VA prescription QR rollout reaching full implementation in May 2026)
• Real estate: Growing adoption for property listings and open house marketing
• Events: QR-based check-in, ticketing, and RSVP management

QR Insights supports 10 specialized QR code types built for these verticals, including restaurant menus, property listings, event pages, vCards, WiFi sharing, and multi-link pages. Each type generates structured analytics specific to the use case.

QR Code Marketing Statistics

This section contains the most actionable data in the entire post. If you're a marketer, read this carefully.

Marketer Adoption and Sentiment

Uniqode's State of QR Codes 2026 report surveyed 524 US marketers and found near-universal adoption and enthusiasm:

• 98% of marketers report that QR codes have a positive impact on their marketing efforts
• 90%+ of marketers currently use QR codes in their campaigns
• 86% plan to increase QR code usage in the next 12 months
• 56% expect QR codes to drive higher revenue in 2026
• 60% plan to increase their QR code usage further

The enthusiasm is real. The measurement isn't.

Where Marketers Deploy QR Codes

QR codes show up across every marketing channel, with some concentrations:

Channel	Marketer Usage Rate
Social media campaigns	64%
Digital advertising	60%
Printed marketing materials	50%
Email marketing	47%
Product packaging	46%
Events and tradeshows	43%

The channel mix is interesting. Social media leads, which means marketers are using QR codes in digital-to-digital contexts (social post to landing page) rather than only print-to-digital. This expands the total addressable use cases well beyond the traditional "scan the flyer" model.

For businesses running multi-channel campaigns with QR codes at trade shows, the 43% event adoption rate suggests a competitive advantage still exists for early sophisticated adopters.

QR Code ROI and Conversion Benchmarks

Performance data for QR codes is strong when measured properly:

• 37% average click-through rate on QR-initiated user journeys (compared to 2-5% for display ads and 1-3% for email)
• 300-500% ROI achievable with proper measurement and optimization
• QR codes outperform traditional digital ads on engagement by a factor of 7-18x

These numbers come with an important caveat. They're derived from campaigns that actually track conversions. The QR code ROI benchmarks and case studies we've published previously show similar performance patterns, but the sample is inherently biased toward companies that measure results.

Which brings us to the most important marketing statistic in this report.

The Measurement Gap Hiding in Plain Sight

Here's the paradox that defines QR code marketing in 2026:

98% of marketers say QR codes work. Only 12% measure whether they actually generate revenue.

That 88% gap between "feels effective" and "proven effective" is what Uniqode's report reveals. The implications are significant:

1. Most QR code "ROI" claims are vibes, not data. When 88% of marketers don't measure revenue impact, the 98% positive sentiment figure is based on gut feel, not financial proof.

2. Enormous upside exists for the 12% who do measure. If you're tracking scans, attributing conversions, and calculating cost-per-acquisition on your QR campaigns, you have a structural information advantage over 88% of the market.

3. QR code budgets are vulnerable. Marketing spending that can't be tied to revenue is the first to get cut in a downturn. The 88% who don't measure are one budget review away from losing their QR code programs.

The fix isn't complicated. It starts with using dynamic QR codes that track scans, connecting scan data to analytics dashboards that show device, location, and time data, and building attribution models that tie scans to downstream conversions.

QR Insights was built specifically to close this measurement gap. Every QR code created on the platform generates real-time scan analytics with device type, browser, operating system, geographic location (country, state, city), and time-of-scan data. No additional setup required.

QR Code Payment Statistics

QR code payments are a market within a market, and the scale is enormous.

Global QR Code Payment Market

• $3 trillion in annual spending flows through QR code payment systems globally (2025 data)
• The QR code payment market was valued at $14.7 billion in 2024, projected to reach $38.2 billion by 2030
• Juniper Research projects QR code payment volumes will exceed $8 trillion by 2029
• QR code payments are expected to attract millions of new users by 2026, equivalent to 29% of global smartphone users

Regional Payment Adoption

Asia-Pacific dominates QR payments, and it's not close:

India leads in raw scale. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) ecosystem, which relies heavily on QR codes, has 709 million+ active QR codes deployed. UPI processed over 100 billion transactions in 2023, and volume continues to climb.

China leads in penetration. With a 67.4% monthly QR scan rate and QR payments embedded in daily life through WeChat Pay and Alipay, China's QR payment infrastructure is the most mature globally.

United States and Europe lag significantly on QR payments, though adoption is growing. The US market focuses more on QR codes for information and marketing than for payment processing, though tap-to-pay and QR-based checkout at retailers is increasing.

For a deeper analysis of the payment landscape, including provider comparisons and implementation guidance, see our complete QR code payments guide.

Consumer Payment Preferences

Uniqode's consumer survey revealed why people scan QR codes:

• 75% scan for more information about a product or service
• 52% scan for discounts and promotional offers
• 35% scan to make payments

Payments rank third behind information and discounts. This is important context for businesses considering QR code strategy. The primary consumer motivation is still information access, not transactions.

QR Code Technology Trends for 2026

AI Integration (84% of Marketers Plan to Adopt)

The convergence of AI and QR codes is the most-hyped trend in the data. 84% of marketers plan to integrate AI with their QR code campaigns in the near future. Planned integrations include:

• AI-powered dynamic landing pages that personalize content based on scan context (time, location, device)
• Predictive analytics for scan behavior and campaign optimization
• Automated A/B testing of QR code destinations
• AI-generated QR code designs that maintain scannability while maximizing visual appeal

Additionally, 61% of marketers plan VR integration and 57% plan AR integration with QR codes. While these numbers reflect aspirational intent more than current capability, they signal the direction of investment.

EU Digital Product Passport (DPP Registry Launching July 2026)

The EU's Digital Product Passport regulation is shifting QR codes from optional marketing tools to mandatory compliance infrastructure. The DPP registry launches in July 2026, with mandatory compliance rolling out across product categories through 2027.

Batteries, textiles, and electronics will need QR-accessible digital passports containing material composition, recyclability, and supply chain data. This regulatory mandate will generate billions of new QR codes across European supply chains.

For manufacturers navigating this transition, our EU Digital Product Passport compliance guide covers the timeline and requirements in detail.

GS1 Sunrise 2027 Migration

The GS1 Sunrise 2027 initiative requires retailers worldwide to accept 2D barcodes (including QR codes) at point-of-sale by the end of 2027. This is the largest single regulatory driver of QR code adoption in the retail sector.

The migration from 1D barcodes to 2D codes (QR and Data Matrix) enables retailers to encode more data per scan: product information, batch numbers, expiration dates, and links to digital content. Our QR code vs. barcode analysis covers what this transition means for businesses that need to prepare.

QR Code Security Statistics

The growth in QR code usage has attracted a corresponding growth in QR code attacks. The security data deserves serious attention.

The Rise of Quishing (QR Code Phishing)

"Quishing" combines "QR" and "phishing." It refers to QR codes that direct scanners to fraudulent websites designed to steal credentials or install malware. The data is alarming:

• 89.3% of detected QR code attacks are credential phishing attempts
• 26 million+ users have been redirected to malicious sites via QR codes
• QR phishing attacks surged 5x between August and November 2025 (Cofense data)
• By late 2025, 12% of all phishing emails contained a QR code
• The FBI issued a Flash Advisory in January 2026 naming North Korean state-sponsored hackers as active perpetrators of QR code phishing attacks

Consumer Trust Statistics

Despite the threat landscape, consumer confidence remains relatively stable:

• Almost 60% of consumers express confidence that QR codes are safe to scan (Uniqode 2026)
• 25% say they trust QR codes more than they did a year ago
• 71% of consumers say QR codes are useful in their daily lives
• But 73% of Americans scan QR codes without verifying the destination URL

That last statistic is the critical one. Nearly three-quarters of Americans scan first and think later. For businesses deploying legitimate QR codes, this underscores the importance of using branded, recognizable QR code designs. For everyone, it highlights the ongoing consumer education gap.

For a comprehensive security strategy, our QR code security guide covers threat detection, safe implementation practices, and how dynamic QR codes provide built-in security advantages through scan monitoring and instant deactivation.

QR Codes in Advertising and Media

Super Bowl QR Code Campaigns

The Super Bowl has become an annual showcase for QR code creativity. At Super Bowl LX, Lay's ran a QR code campaign that generated 7.1x the median ad engagement according to EDO measurement data. That's not a marginal improvement. That's a fundamentally different performance tier.

The success pattern is consistent. Brands that combine a compelling visual creative with a QR code call-to-action outperform brands relying on URL callouts or "search for us" prompts. The QR code removes friction. Instead of asking viewers to remember a URL and type it later, the code enables immediate action.

Print and Out-of-Home QR Code Performance

Placement matters enormously for print and OOH QR code campaigns:

• Front-panel QR placement achieves a 3.1% scan rate versus 1.4% for back-panel placement (a 121% improvement)
• QR codes on point-of-sale displays generate the highest in-store scan rates
• Billboard and transit QR codes require larger minimum sizes to be scannable from viewing distance (see our QR code size guide for exact specifications)

The channel data reinforces a broader point. QR code performance isn't just about the code itself. It's about placement, context, and the value proposition offered to the scanner. A QR code that says "Scan me" underperforms one that says "Scan for 20% off" by a wide margin.

Social Media QR Code Integration

With 64% of marketers deploying QR codes in social media campaigns, the social channel has become the number-one distribution method for QR codes. This is partly because QR code sharing on social platforms creates a natural bridge between social engagement and owned-channel conversion.

The use case is straightforward. A QR code in an Instagram story, TikTok video, or LinkedIn post directs scanners to a landing page, signup form, or product page that the brand controls. Unlike social platform links (which keep users inside the platform's browser), QR codes trigger the device's native camera and open in the default browser, giving brands a cleaner path to conversion.

What the Uniqode State of QR Codes 2026 Report Reveals

Uniqode's March 2026 report deserves its own section because it's the most rigorous primary research published on QR code marketing this year. Based on surveys of 524 US marketers and 1,000 US consumers, plus analysis of 188 million QR code scans, the report provides first-party data that goes beyond the market research estimates cited elsewhere in this post.

Key Marketer Findings

• 98% report positive impact from QR codes
• 56% expect QR codes to drive higher revenue in 2026
• 86% plan to increase QR code usage
• 45% rank analytics as the most important QR code feature
• Only 12% currently measure direct revenue impact

That last finding, the 12% revenue measurement rate, is the headline. Marketers have enthusiastically adopted QR codes. They believe the codes work. But almost none of them can prove it with revenue data.

Key Consumer Findings

• 71% say QR codes are useful in daily life
• 75% scan to get more information
• 52% scan for discounts and deals
• 35% scan to make payments
• 60% feel confident QR codes are safe
• 25% trust QR codes more than last year

The consumer side of the equation is encouraging. Seven in ten consumers see QR codes as genuinely useful, not just a marketing gimmick. And trust is trending upward, not down, despite the rise in quishing attacks.

The 45% Analytics Signal

One finding that has received almost no coverage: 45% of marketers rank analytics as the single most important QR code feature. Not design customization. Not bulk generation. Not integrations. Analytics.

This tells you where the market is heading. The early phase of QR code adoption was about creation ("I need a QR code"). The current phase is about measurement ("I need to know what my QR codes are doing"). The platforms that win the next cycle will be the ones that make measurement effortless.

What These Statistics Mean for Your Business

Data without interpretation is trivia. Here's what the 2026 numbers actually demand from businesses using QR codes.

The Analytics Maturity Gap (and How to Close It)

The single most actionable insight in the 2026 data is the measurement gap. If 98% of marketers believe QR codes work, but only 12% measure revenue, the competitive advantage belongs to whoever starts measuring first.

Closing the gap doesn't require a data science team. It requires three things:

1. Dynamic QR codes that track scans automatically. If you're using static codes, you have zero data. Understand the difference and switch.

2. An analytics dashboard that shows scan volume, device breakdown, geographic distribution, and time patterns. This is baseline. QR Insights provides this on every plan, including free.

3. Attribution to business outcomes. Connect scan data to downstream actions. Use UTM parameters. Set up Google Analytics 4 tracking. Track which QR code placements generate actual conversions, not just scans.

Most QR code platforms sell code generation. QR Insights sells code generation with measurement built in. Every scan is tracked with device type, operating system, browser, country, state, city, and timestamp. You can calculate actual ROI instead of guessing.

Why Dynamic QR Codes Are Non-Negotiable

The data is definitive. Dynamic codes hold 64.92% of format revenue. 79% of businesses choose dynamic over static. The growth rate for dynamic codes (17.27% CAGR) outpaces the overall market.

The business logic is simple. Dynamic QR codes let you:

• Track every scan with device, location, and time data
• Update destinations without reprinting a single code
• Deactivate compromised codes instantly (critical given the quishing surge)
• A/B test landing pages by changing the destination behind the same printed code
• Prove ROI by connecting scans to conversion events

Static codes do none of this. If you're printing QR codes on any material you can't easily reprint (packaging, signage, business cards, marketing collateral), dynamic is the only defensible choice.

Building a Measurement-First QR Strategy

Based on the 2026 data, here's the framework for getting ahead of the 88%:

Step 1: Audit your existing QR codes. How many are static versus dynamic? How many are tracked? If you can't answer these questions, you're in the 88%.

Step 2: Consolidate on a platform with native analytics. Fragmented QR code creation across free tools, Canva plugins, and random generators makes measurement impossible. Centralize on a platform that tracks the metrics that matter.

Step 3: Standardize UTM parameters. Every QR code should carry UTM tags that identify source, medium, campaign, and content. This connects QR scan data to your broader marketing analytics.

Step 4: Set benchmarks and report monthly. Use the 37% average CTR as your initial benchmark. Track cost-per-scan and scan-to-conversion rate. Report these numbers to stakeholders the same way you report on paid media.

Step 5: Optimize based on data. The 121% improvement between front-panel and back-panel QR placement? That came from measurement. Design choices that seem minor (size, placement, color contrast, call-to-action copy) can double or triple performance.

The marketers who measure will outperform the marketers who don't. The 2026 data makes this unambiguous.

Methodology and Sources

The statistics in this post are compiled from the following sources:

• Uniqode State of QR Codes 2026 (March 2026): Survey of 524 US marketers, 1,000 US consumers, and analysis of 188 million scans. Source
• Mordor Intelligence: QR code market sizing and CAGR projections ($15.23B in 2026, $33.14B by 2031). Source
• eMarketer / Statista: US QR code scanner projections (102.6 million in 2026)
• Grand View Research: Long-term market projections ($61.73B by 2033)
• Future Market Insights: Alternative market sizing ($15.95B in 2026)
• Juniper Research: QR code payment forecasts ($8 trillion by 2029)
• QR TIGER: Platform scan data (41.77 million scans analyzed) and usage trends. Source
• Bitly: Marketing adoption data and channel distribution. Source
• Cofense: QR phishing (quishing) surge data (5x increase, August-November 2025)
• Keepnet Labs / Abnormal AI: QR code attack vector analysis (89.3% credential phishing)
• EDO: Super Bowl QR code engagement measurement (Lay's 7.1x median engagement)
• FBI Flash Advisory AC-000001-MW (January 2026): North Korean QR code phishing warning

All market size figures and growth rates represent published estimates from the cited research organizations. Where multiple sources provide different estimates for the same metric, we've noted the range. Search volume and keyword data referenced in SEO contexts are estimated based on SERP competition analysis.

This post will be updated quarterly. The next update is planned for July 2026.

QR Code Statistics FAQ

How many QR codes are scanned per day in 2026?

An estimated 2.7 billion QR codes are scanned daily worldwide in 2026, based on projections of over 1 trillion annual scans globally. In the United States alone, 102.6 million smartphone users are projected to scan QR codes this year. QR code scan volume grew 323% between 2021 and 2025.

What is the QR code market size in 2026?

The global QR code market is valued at $15.23 billion in 2026, up from $13.04 billion in 2025. It is projected to reach $33.14 billion by 2031, growing at a 16.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) according to Mordor Intelligence. Some research firms estimate even higher values.

Are QR codes still growing in popularity?

Yes. QR code usage surged 323% from 2021 to 2025, and 86% of marketers plan to increase QR code usage in the next 12 months. Nearly 84% of mobile users worldwide have scanned a QR code at least once. The market is projected to more than double by 2031.

What industry uses QR codes the most?

Restaurants and hospitality lead QR code adoption at 75%, followed by retail/e-commerce and product packaging at 46% each. Logistics (43%), inventory management (39%), and marketing (37%) are also significant adopters. Healthcare adoption is accelerating rapidly, with 72% of organizations using or planning to use QR codes.

What percentage of marketers use QR codes?

Over 90% of marketers use QR codes in 2026, with 98% reporting a positive impact on their marketing efforts. However, only 12% currently measure the direct revenue impact of their QR code campaigns, according to Uniqode's State of QR Codes 2026 report.

Are QR codes safe to scan?

QR code scanning is generally safe, with almost 60% of consumers expressing confidence in QR code safety (Uniqode 2026). However, "quishing" (QR code phishing) is a growing threat. 89.3% of detected QR code attacks are credential phishing attempts. Always verify the source and URL before interacting with unfamiliar QR codes.

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This article was originally published on April 2, 2026. It will be updated quarterly to reflect the latest available data. Next scheduled update: July 2026. For our previous year's analysis, see the State of QR Codes 2025 industry report.