What Happens If a QR Code Is Damaged or Scratched?
Direct Answer
A QR code will usually still scan correctly even when partially damaged, thanks to built-in error correction — the tolerable amount of damage depends on the error correction level, ranging from about 7% up to 30%.
Key Facts
- ✓Standard error correction (level M) tolerates ~15% damage
- ✓Damage to the three large corner squares is most likely to break a scan — they're used for orientation
- ✓A worn, faded, or slightly torn printed code will often still work fine
- ✓If a code stops scanning, reprint it rather than trying to repair the physical copy
Full Explanation
QR codes are built with redundancy so real-world wear (scratches, fading, small tears, dirt) doesn't make them unusable. Exact tolerance depends on which error correction level was used when generated. The most damage-sensitive parts are the three corner squares, since scanners rely on them for position and orientation — damage there is more likely to cause a failed scan than similar damage in the middle.
Related Questions
What is error correction in a QR code?
Built-in redundancy that lets a QR code still scan correctly even if part of it is damaged or covered — the four levels (L, M, Q, H) trade off damage tolerance against data capacity.
Do QR codes expire?
Static QR codes never expire — they work permanently as long as the destination they link to is still active, with no subscription required.
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