30 Legendary QR Code Examples To Inspire You

You have seen plenty of QR Code examples everywhere. They have been an unconscious part of your life—an obvious technology to make it easier. 

Perhaps you scanned a QR Code to order your regular Americano at Starbucks or to check the ingredients in your favorite pack of Cheerios. Either way, unknowingly, you experienced an example of a QR Code in the real world. 

If this made you sit up, the rest of this article will make you go ‘I wanna try this right now’! We’ve curated 30 creative, out-of-the-world, and redefining examples of QR Codes and can’t wait to share them with you. 

Jump in! 

Table of contents

1. 10 inspiring QR Code brand examples
2. 10 easy-to-copy QR Code examples
3. 10 out-of-the-box QR Code examples

10 QR Code brand examples for ready inspiration

1. Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola nails sustainability by adding QR Codes to their reusable bottles to track the refill cycles of a bottle and determine if it should be recycled or refilled again. It’s part of their global ‘World Without Waste’ initiative. This is one of the best examples of QR Codes on a product. 

2. Nike

Nike does a great job sharing product information, such as benefits, maintenance, and recycling on their products, in this case, shoes. Once you scan the QR Code on the heel, you’ll get tips on improving your shoe’s life cycle, details on its performance and environmental benefits, and how to recycle and donate them post-use. 

3. Starbucks

Starbucks has one of the best QR Code examples in customer service. They promote their loyalty program through a WhatsApp QR Code and promise exciting discounts in exchange. 

4. IKEA

IKEA uses QR Codes for payment gateways in this example. It enables customers to add products to their list and pay for all the items on the list by scanning a QR Code. A complete shopping experience with a QR Code—one of the finest examples in retail! 

5. Sephora

Sephora is a great example of an app QR Code in use. It uses a QR Code to drive customers to download the app. The app is a doorway to jump into the Sephora ecosystem and find solutions, such as order tracking and availing discount offers. A win-win for the customer and the brand!

6. McDonald’s

One of the most outstanding examples of QR Codes in social media is from McDonald’s. They use a QR Code for an irresistible nudge to drive (pun intended) users to order. The right message at the right time—made possible with modern technology (a smartphone and a QR Code!). 

7. L’Oreal

This is a QR Code video example from L’Oréal. It uses QR Codes on many of its products to ensure its customers are aware of product details. Once customers scan a QR Code, they can access a host of product information, such as production details, ingredients, and quality control measures. 

8. BMW

BMW is an inspiring example of using a QR Code for customer feedback. In this Instagram post, it shares a landing page QR Code with a form where users can submit their feedback. Customers can choose between Google, Yelp, and other review platforms. 

9. Disney

Disney reduces the painstaking process of adding people to the ‘Friends and Family’ section on the app with a QR Code. From sending emails and approving permissions to scanning a simple QR Code. A revolutionary example of an in-app QR Code use case. 

10. Subway

Subway takes a survey QR Code to the next level. Its Facebook post is an example of a QR Code with a logo that takes users to its feedback page. Customers reach a landing page with a survey form to share their opinions. Oh, and they also get a free cookie! 

10 QR Code creative examples you can’t help but copy

1. Pepsi’s ‘Gift it Forward’ campaign for Christmas

You’ll find a superb example of using QR Codes at Christmas in Pepsi’s ‘Gift it Forward’ campaign. Pepsi uses a coupon QR Code to take users to a scratch card where they can earn rewards. The whole campaign has a holiday vibe. 

2. Paris Olympic’s Games Pass QR Code for getting around the city

Paris Olympics 2024 turned their Games Pass into a QR Code that users could scan to access specific areas in Paris. This was more of a security measure to restrict areas, such as the opening ceremony or competition venues, to pedestrians and cyclists. 

3. Katy Perry’s QR Code marketing marvel

Yes, you read that right! Katy Perry set a new benchmark for using QR Codes by placing a QR Code on herself at the 2024 MTV VMAs. The ingenious QR Code leads to her (now out) album page. The creativity is definitely something you can copy; the execution…well! 

4. Kansas University’s registration QR Code for meet and greet

Examples of QR Codes in education are aplenty. In fact, QR Codes are revolutionizing the education industry with various use cases. For example, Kansas University uses a QR Code to invite users to register for their meet-and-greet program.   

5. Redfin’s real estate QR Code for home search experiences

Redfin’s use of QR Codes opens up doors (literally!). For one, they are a great example of QR Codes in real estate. Additionally, using these QR Codes in signage right outside the homes paves the way for fast open houses, virtual tours, and agent meets.    

6. Solopreneur showcasing their portfolio with a QR Code

You’ll find a great example of a QR Code on a resume or a portfolio among individuals and solopreneurs. They are using QR Codes in creative ways to showcase their work. This is a simpler and more interactive way to promote your portfolio. 

7. Mucinex turns adversity into opportunity with omnichannel QR Code innovation

Mucinex turned QR Code’s omnichannel superpower into a real-life use case. Limited by shipping restrictions, it sent product samples—with a QR Code—through direct mail. The physical QR Code took prospects to an online destination where they could watch the latest TV spot or place pickup orders. 

8. Chipotle goes contactless with a QR Code menu

Chipotle is a classic example of a QR Code menu in use. It started using contactless menus during the COVID-19 pandemic. QR Code menus on tabletops were an effective way to fight the pandemic, and today, they have become a proven way of restaurant ordering. 

9. Singapore Changi Airport offers free QR Code-based Wi-Fi access

Changi Airport has an excellent example of a Wi-Fi QR Code at work. The free, high-speed Wi-Fi is available in lounges and other areas. You can scan the Wi-Fi to start the authentication process. Once you share your details, you can access the Wi-Fi. 

10. Natalie Grant creates a unique experience with an audio QR Code for music lovers

You’ll find an audio QR Code example in Natalie Grant’s music album. Ever wondered that QR Codes would play music? This is a real-life example—another instance where QR Codes bridge the physical and digital gap. 

Many artists, including Natalie Grant, use audio QR Codes to offer exclusive music previews or direct fans to streaming platforms like Spotify.

10 ‘out of the box’ QR Code examples you need to see to believe

1. AI-generated QR Codes by Coca-Cola

When discussing unique QR Code examples, Coca-Cola’s illustrative, AI-powered QR Code campaign can’t be far behind. Launched as part of the Coke Studio global music platform, Coke used these attractive and interactive QR Codes in OOH advertisements at theatres, stadiums, and theme parks. People scanned the QR Code to watch the video from Coke Studio’s latest season. 

2. Wedding QR Codes

Give a modern twist to weddings with Image QR Codes! Use them to get invitation responses from guests, receive or share wedding images, or share gifts. This is also one of the best wedding QR Code examples where the QR Code is part of the wedding branding—fonts, color, et al. 

3. AR QR Codes by Burger King

Burger King has an augmented reality (AR) QR Code example you can take a cue from. Timed during the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), the QR Code launched an AR experience for customers. The whole experience was interactive: nudges to download the BK app and plenty of incentives (free Whoppers and tickets!). 

4. Scavenger Hunt QR Codes by Mucinex

To raise awareness about cold and flu symptoms in the US, Mucinex launched a scavenger hunt across New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. In the on-the-ground, real-life (IRL) scavenger hunt, people tracked the cold and flu symptoms that the Mucinex product would solve. The reward: an all-paid ticket to a concert. 

5. Tourism QR Codes by the Hong Kong Tourism Board

Hong Kong Tourism Board uses QR Codes and AR to create immersive travel experiences. It’s one of the best AR QR Code examples out there. The QR Codes allow you to interact with tourist attractions or take tourist photos with AR filters. 

6. Museum QR Codes by the National Museums Scotland

National Museums Scotland has been exploring QR Codes for museums for some time. It has several QR Code examples for its exhibitions. The use cases are varied: audio, video, 3D models, poetry, painting, and more. 

7. IoT meets QR Codes

When we talk about trending technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT) can’t be far behind. QR Codes play an essential role in the identification, authentication, and configuration of IoT devices. They can link physical objects to digital information. You can generate an IoT QR Code and print it on device bodies, packaging, or documentation that can replace a complex manual connection process. 

8. Interactive maps with QR Codes

One of the most unique QR Code examples is for interactive maps. In apartment communities, finding the right space can be confusing at times. QR Codes help locate specific areas easily with a simple scan. Residents can scan a QR Code to locate parking spaces, common areas, event locations, and more. 

9. QR Codes for churches

QR Codes are at the crux of faith and modernity. No, this is not an attempt to rile up an ancient debate but to show how faith intersects with modern technology. That churches use QR Codes now to collect donations, enable church event registrations or share booklets is no surprise. All hail QR Codes!

10. QR Codes for tradeshows

Attending a tradeshow? Don’t forget to stand out from the crowd with unique QR Code use cases. Use it as business cards, promotional materials, gamification and interactive elements, driving traffic and leads, and more.