The biggest QR code in the world is the Yuengling QR code from crops in Indiana, USA. Other record-breaking codes include the QR code of drones in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the human image of a QR code in Jinhua, Zhejiang, China. Some of these codes have earned a well-deserved place among Guinness World Records. Besides, companies worldwide keep trying to impress the public with new ideas of giant QR codes, either displayed in the sky, made of trees, or presented on billboards.
But why do organizations create big QR codes in the first place? And how do you generate your own record-breaking code? Keep reading this article to find answers. We will also provide more details about the largest QR codes ever made and explain the technology behind them.
Heading image credit: Fabrice de Nola, 2010. Palermo.
Guinness Records for the Biggest QR Codes
The biggest QR code in the world was made from crops on a field in Indiana, USA, according to the official Guinness Record website. But it’s not the only code that made it to the list of the most outstanding human achievements. Let’s look at the QR code record holders in more detail.
Largest QR Code
The largest QR code was created from crops in Indiana, USA, in 2022. It broke the world record set on a football stadium in Toronto ten years before. The American brewery D.G Yuengling & Son, Inc. and the Chalfant Family Farms from Indiana made the code on the enormous 159,918 square meters (1,721,344 square foot) area (approximately a ¼ mile long by a ¼ mile wide, according to Cision, 2022). The farmers planted the field in May 2022, fitting the code’s design.
In August 2022, after growing the crops, Yuengling revealed the world’s largest QR code and its purpose to the public. The company and their partners, Team Red, White & Blue, also placed the code on the limited edition of beer cans. When scanning it, customers could win tickets for a concert, visit a virtual gift shop, and donate to non-profit organizations supporting America’s veterans and their families.
Largest Grain QR Code
The largest grain QR code appeared in Harbin, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. Donghe Agricultural Group used white and black rice to create it on October 10, 2018. The image was 30 meters (98 feet) long on each side, with five tons of black rice and the same amount of white rice. This way, Donghe set a new Guinness World Record noted on the official website of this prestigious reference book.
Largest Human Image of a QR Code
The largest human image QR code was set in Jinhua, Zhejiang, China, on November 25, 2019. The employees of Taiping Life Insurance Co., Ltd (more than 3,000 people, according to the official Guinness World Records website) formed a huge scannable QR code image. The code was linked to the insurance company’s website. Other Chinese organizations, including the local Coca-Cola office, previously set similar world records.
Largest QR Code made of drones
The largest drone QR code illuminated the sky above Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, on November 24, 2022. It broke the existing Guinness World Record for the largest QR code, according to Euronews, 2022. It consisted of 1,300 drones that simultaneously launched into the sky.
This performance was a part of the light show by Ceer, the brand running the promotion campaign for Saudi Arabia’s first electronic vehicle that will enter the market in 2025. The code took visitors to Ceer’s website. Thousands of people gathered to watch the show live and scanned the enormous QR code made of drones.
Apart from the biggest QR codes that set world records, many other unique accomplishments in this area impressed the world due to their enormous sizes. Let’s look at some other of the world’s largest QR codes.
Biggest QR codes in the world
Here are several more examples of the biggest QR codes in the world.
Human QR Code by a Chinese Golf Resort
In 2013, Mission Hills China, a luxury golf and spa resort in Shenzhen, created the largest human QR code at the time, formed by people holding umbrellas (World Record Academy, 2023). Over 2,000 of the company’s workers used red and white umbrellas to set this record. The QR code was scannable from the air and took users to the website of a sustainable tourism campaign.
The Kraay Family QR Code
In 2012, the Kraay family from Alberta, Canada, created a giant QR code. At the time, they set a Guinness World Record with the largest QR code on their farm’s corn maze. The QR code was 29,000 square meters (309,570 feet), according to The Verge, 2012. The family devised corn mazes every year, finally reaching the record size. The code was scannable via a smartphone when flying above the farm on a helicopter. It was linked to the family’s website, introducing their unique cornfield mazes.
The biggest QR code made of plates in Toronto
Hundreds of volunteers used 1,300 plates to make a giant QR code on a football stadium in Toronto. The performance had a charity background. It was part of a fundraising campaign that promoted the development of the Youth Unlimited Toronto community. The organization partnered with local churches to transform the lives of young people in Toronto.
The Largest Light Show QR Code in Shanghai
Before the above-mentioned Ceer’s show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest QR code made of drones appeared in The Bund (Shanghai, China) in April 2021. Japanese game company Cygames and Chinese video-sharing platform Bili Bili presented it on a light show.
The company displayed the code during a special event dedicated to the first anniversary of the Princess Connect: Re Drive mobile game in China. The show featured 1,500 drones that formed colorful images of the game’s characters and other associated images (TripZilla, 2021). Finally, they created an enormous QR code in the sky. Users could access and play the game on their mobile devices when scanning it.
Giant QR Code by SpurIT
SpurIT set another world record, creating the largest QR code on a field in Belorussia in 2018. The QR code created by the local IT company with the help of tractors was 300×300 meters (985×985 feet), totaling 90,344 square meters (972,443 square feet). This way, SpurIT broke the previous record of 36,100 square meters (388,577 square feet).
The QR code linked users to the page containing information about various charity projects SpurIT supported. Another goal of this accomplishment was to draw attention to the IT industry’s swift development in the region, according to the SpurIT official website, 2018.
The Biggest QR Code Made From Trees
One of the biggest QR codes in the world made from trees was created in 2017 in the Chinese village of Xilinshui. It took approximately 130,000 Chinese junipers, each 80cm to 2.5m in height, to make this technological maze. Each side of the code was 227 meters (744 feet), as per China Morning Post, 2017. When scanning it, users appear on the village’s tourism account on WeChat – one of China’s most popular social media platforms.
The Biggest Rooftop QR Code
The biggest QR code ever created on a rooftop was placed on Southern Resources scrap metal recycling plant in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2011. The non-profit technology group known as Hackerspace Charlotte painted a 929-square-meter (10,000-square-foot) QR code, attempting to break the world record. The previous record was set by Fiera Balzano Spa in Italy (1,680 square meters or 18,083 square feet). Users can scan the code in Charlotte via satellite imagery services like Google Maps and Google Earth. When scanned, the code takes to the website that discusses the group’s accomplishments.
The Shadow QR Code by E-mart’s Sunny Sales
In 2012, E-Mart launched a Sunny Sales campaign during lunch hours, creating a three-dimensional QR code acting like a sundial. Thanks to the impact of the shadow at noon, the code became perfectly shaped and scannable. Therefore, customers could capture it and appear on E-mart’s web page with shopping deals and discounts.
Using the unique shadow QR code in their marketing strategy increased the company’s customer membership by 58%. Also, it enhanced customer engagement during lunchtime by 25% (TrendHunter, 2012).
The biggest QR code in the sky on Miami Grand Prix
One of the largest QR codes in the sky appeared during the F1’s Miami Grand Prix weekend in May 2023. Flowcode teamed up with the Jonas Brothers to create a giant floating QR code formed by 350 drones. The code consisting of LED lights made by Sky Elements remained in the night sky for 30 minutes. Users could access a ticket giveaway for the 2023 tour when scanning the code. The winner got two free tickets for the chosen show.
The Biggest QR Code on Wheat Field by Xu He
In April 2015, the largest QR code mentioned among the Guinness World Records was 36,100 square meters (388,577 square feet), according to Vercalendario, 2015. Xu He created it on a wheat field in Cangzhou, Hebei, China. The length of each side was 190 meters (623 feet). As mentioned above, SpurIT broke the record in 2018.
London’s Largest QR Code by Global Street Art
Global Street Art collaborated with Grand Visual, Talon, Goodstuff, and Brave Spark to create the largest QR code in London in 2023. The code appeared on concrete canvas in Hackney, measuring 199 square meters (2,142 square feet), as per Peach, 2023. A team of local artists hand-painted the code on the canvas, making it rather a contemporary art installation than a marketing or sales campaign.
Record-breaking QR Code by Chinese Students
In 2017, over 2,500 Chinese students from Zhengzhou, Henan, China, formed a 51-meter-long and 51-meter-wide (167×167 feet) QR code, holding white and peach umbrellas. At the time, it was the largest human QR code in the world (China Daily, 2017). The Sias International College students participating in this record-breaking performance collaborated with the Didi Express company to film the event.
Giant Red and White Human QR Code by Coca-Cola
In 2014, Coca-Cola set another world record with a human QR code composed of almost 3,000 company employees and their family members in Zhengzhou, China. The participants carried red and white umbrellas, creating the image of a 2,503 square meter сode (nearly 27,000 square feet), as per Feel Desain, 2014. The Chinese symbols in the QR code’s center signify love for family (“I Love My Family” is one of the company‘s local slogans).
The largest QR code in India
India’s largest QR code was created at Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, New Delhi, in 2012 (Limica Book of World Records, 2012). It was part of the guerrilla marketing strategy during the WYSIWYG Conference. A 144 square meter (452 square foot) QR code image appeared on the floor of an open-air quadrangle, consisting of white cement and black paint.
The Biggest QR Code on a School Building
In 2021, Greenridge Primary School installed a 2,2 square meters (nearly 237 square feet) QR code in the foyer of the school building. Teachers and students used 441 canvas boards to create the code. They also placed pictures and words on the blackboards. The Singapore Book of Records noted the record on its official website.
Other Biggest QR Codes
In addition to the biggest QR codes we’ve already mentioned, there are many other unique codes to explore. Let’s take a look at the huge QR codes installed on billboards, displayed in the sky, and adapted for Google Maps.
Biggest QR codes on billboards
Here are some of the biggest and most notable billboard QR codes:
- Billboard QR codes by Calvin Klein Jeans. In 2010, the famous Calvin Klein Jeans replaced their billboards in New York City and Los Angeles with bright red QR codes following the words “Get It Uncensored.” It allowed passers-by to scan the images via smartphones and access 40-second commercials on the company’s website. They could also share the code through Facebook or Twitter (Forbes, 2010).
- A huge QR code on a Japanese apartment. One of the first biggest QR codes in the world was placed on a 15.3×14.58-meter (50.2×47.8-feet) banner on a building in Hiroshima City, Japan, in 2006. The code itself was 10.97×10.97 meters (36×36 feet), making it the largest QR code on a banner at the time (Engadget, 2006).
Placing large QR codes on billboards can be highly beneficial for a business. They add an interactive element to static advertisements, boost customer engagement, and streamline access to digital content via mobile devices. Besides, a billboard QR code is a cost-effective marketing solution that doesn’t require significant time and resource investments.
Biggest QR codes in the sky
As mentioned above, the biggest QR codes in the sky appeared during drone shows in Riyadh and Shanghai. Let’s look at several more examples of such codes:
- Halo series QR code. On March 13, 2022, American streaming service Paramount Plus partnered with the Giant Spoon marketing agency to present a drone show in Austin, Texas. The event promoted the network’s new Halo series. The drones took up a height of over 90 meters (300 feet) and a width of over 180 meters (600 feet), displaying various images, from the Paramount Plus logo to a giant QR code (The Times, 2022). It took those who scanned it to the website with the countdown to the new trailer of the Halo show.
- QR code projection on Swiss Marketing Day. During the Swiss Marketing Day on January 19, 2012, in Arosa, Swiss Marketing partnered with Arosa Tourism to break the world record with the new largest QR code. The code projected on the Weisshorn flank was 2,500 square meters (26,910 square feet) with a projection distance of 500 meters (1,640 feet) at the 35° angle. The company used a high-performance projector to make this possible.
Displaying a QR code in the sky during a light show or special event is an innovative branding approach. It enhances engagement and creates a memorable experience, attracting more attention to the event and its purpose. On top of that, such shows often generate buzz on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Biggest QR codes in Google Maps
Some companies place QR codes on rooftops and open areas to make them accessible through satellite imagery services like Google Maps. Here are some examples:
- Rooftop QR code in Austin, Texas. Austin-based public relations firm Phillips and Co. on the rooftop of the company’s headquarters in 2011. When scanned via Google Maps, the code takes users to the brand’s website.
- Rooftop QR code by Facebook. As one of the most popular social media platforms, Facebook wanted to be the pioneer in creating new digital experiences like rooftop QR codes. In 2012, company workers painted a 42-foot (12.8 meter)-wide QR code on the roof of a company building (TechCrunch, 2012). However, the experiment failed, as the code’s creators didn’t include the four-pixel white border (“quiet zone”) around the QR code, making it unscannable.
A QR code on a rooftop visible through Google Maps may serve as a dynamic form of geolocation marketing, engaging users exploring the area digitally. Also, it increases the discoverability of businesses, strengthening their online presence.
When creating a big QR code on a billboard, rooftop, or in the sky, an organization should consider various technical aspects. Otherwise, the code may not be readable via dedicated software.
The technology behind the biggest QR code
The technology behind the biggest QR codes on banners, billboards, rooftops, and drone shows involves adherence to ISO standards, particularly ISO/IEC 18004. It outlines QR code specifications, ensuring that you use a standard encoding format. Therefore, you can be sure that even a giant QR code will be compatible with various scanning systems, consistent, and error-free. Please note that there are different versions and models of QR codes, depending on how much data they accommodate.
For instance, when using Kanji characters in your QR code, ensuring that the code will handle the extended data size is essential. Using Chinese or Japanese characters in a QR code doesn’t critically affect its size but may impact the code’s version due to increased data density. Therefore, choosing the QR code version that provides high-level readability and scannability is worthwhile.
Another critical factor to consider is the minimum and maximum scanning distance for a QR code.
What is the minimum and maximum scanning distance for a QR code?
When discussing the optimal scanning distance for a QR code, it’s vital to consider the scanning size to distance ratio. Ideally, it should be 10:1. With that in mind, if your QR code is 10 meters (32 feet) away from the scanning device, it has to be approximately 1 meter (3,2 feet) wide and tall.
Please note that the other factors affecting the optimal scanning difference are the scanning device capabilities (like its resolution) and lighting conditions. Besides, it’s worth paying attention to the QR code’s actual size.
What is the QR code maximum and minimum size to be scannable?
All in all, there are no limitations regarding the largest QR code size. But when creating a large code on a wall, billboard, or even in the sky, please remember that its scannability depends on the distance between the code and scanning devices. Simply put, the larger your QR code, the longer the distance required to scan it. That’s why giant QR codes on fields and other open spaces can be scanned only from the air (for instance, when flying above it on a helicopter).
As for the minimum size of an ISO-compliant QR code, most specialists agree it should be at least 1×1 centimeters (0.4×04 inches) wide and long. While generating even a smaller QR code is possible, it may not be scannable via devices with limited capabilities. On top of that, in that case, the distance between the code and a scanning device should be less than 2.5 cm (<1 inch).
To conclude, creating a small or large QR code is possible if you pay attention to its version and the required distance to code scanners. Now, let’s discuss why businesses, organizations, and individuals may decide to generate such a unique QR code.
Why Make Big QR Codes
You may consider making a large QR code for a couple of reasons. Let’s take a more detailed look at the biggest QR code benefits.
Enhanced brand visibility
Large QR codes attract the audience’s attention and make brands stand out. So, apart from the desire to break the existing Guinness World Record, a company may strive to impress customers, making its products or services look impressive and appealing.
Creative marketing and advertising
Large QR code creation is an unconventional approach to your marketing or advertising campaign. With its help, a business can transform a static surface, such as a billboard or a building wall, into a more interactive space. This strategy is a more dynamic alternative to traditional advertising, leading to customers’ curiosity and better engagement.
Special event promotion
Organizations may turn to large QR codes to draw attention to special events, such as festivals, concerts, conferences, or product releases. A code projected on a wall or displayed in the sky as part of a light show creates a memorable experience. Also, it can encourage more scans if linked to a special offer, giveaway page, or discount.
Social media buzz
Large QR codes fascinate people, generating buzz across popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc. It sets your brand apart, contributing to successful word-of-mouth marketing campaigns. This approach is highly efficient since 88% of customers trust other people’s recommendations when making their purchasing decisions (Nielsen Trust in Advertising study, 2021).
Strengthened online presence
A QR code placed on an open area visible through Google Maps and other satellite imagery services enhances online presence. It encourages potential customers to learn more about a brand or organization when exploring a particular location virtually. Such a code may take users to your company’s website or another page introducing your products or services. It’s a great way to drive more traffic to your site, considering that more than a billion people in 220 regions use Google Maps monthly (EarthWeb, 2023).
Interactive experience for customers
A large QR code on a billboard or building bridges the physical and digital worlds. It streamlines access to your content for smartphone users and provides engaging interactive experiences. Modern users like dynamic interactions and prefer brands that are accessible online. Unsurprisingly, 77% of small and medium businesses name digital presence among the key factors influencing customer acquisition (Statista, 2023).
All in all, creating a big QR code may cover different purposes and needs of modern organizations and businesses. However, it’s essential to pick the right strategy when implementing this approach. In particular, choosing the right location for your QR code is a must.
Where Can You Use Big QR Codes?
You can use a big QR code in different locations. The best choice depends on your goals, target audience, and other factors. Here are several options to consider:
- Billboards. Placing a QR code on a billboard makes it visible from long distances. In particular, the code will become easy for pedestrians and drivers to scan. It’s a good idea to put a QR code on a billboard, linking to event details, promotional content, or advertisement.
- Building walls and rooftops. Installing a QR code on a building wall will make it available for people in the street. Such a code may also serve as a landmark. Besides, it could provide details about a company and its services if placed on an office building facade. In turn, a QR code on a rooftop is readable via Google Maps, aiming at users who explore locations online.
- Crop fields. A QR code on a crop field can’t only be scannable via smartphone from the air. Some organizations create such codes to draw attention to charity campaigns, encouraging users to make donations.
- Retail environments. Large stores can install big QR codes on or near a building to attract more customers, provide access to special offers, and boost engagement.
- Event venues. You can place a QR code on a banner, wall, or stage before or during special events like concerts or conferences. Such a code may take visitors to the event’s online page. Also, it may provide access to schedules, maps, and other digital content related to the event.
- Light shows. It’s possible to display a QR code in the sky during a light show with the help of LED-light drones. It’s a creative way to engage the audience, providing a memorable visual experience.
A large QR code can be a valuable marketing tool for a business. Also, it may serve charity, educational, or promotional purposes. At the same time, such codes are suitable for unique use cases, unlike QR codes of regular sizes you can place on printed materials, product packaging, and other compact physical objects. Therefore, in some cases, a small QR code can be a better match.
Other Guinness records related to QR codes
Apart from the biggest QR codes, World Guinness Records also include other extraordinary accomplishments related to this technology, such as the smallest QR code in the world.
Ray Guan Kit Ong, Chee Leng Lay, Peiyuan Cao, and May Maung Zaw set this record in Singapore on July 20, 2023. This tiny QR code is only 100 square micrometers, as per the Guinness World Records website, 2023. The code was measured with the help of a Scanning Electron Microscope. The record holders claim that such “mini QR codes” may become solutions for high data density and security.
Previously, the Guinness World Record for the smallest QR code was achieved by Beijing Dexian Technology Co., Ltd. in Beijing, China, on 18 September 2020. The code was 2.352 square millimeters (approximately 0.025 square feet).
How to generate the biggest QR code?
To generate the biggest QR code, you need a reliable QR code generator tool like MyQRCode. Please follow these steps to generate a large code for your needs:
- Open the MyQRCode website,
- Click the Create QR code button,
- Select your preferred QR code type among Website URL, Business Page, Video, Image, PDF, Facebook, App, and other available options,
- Fill out the fields with the desired information (add URLs, social media links, images, contact info, and more),
- Customize your QR code design by changing its color, frame, pattern, etc.,
- Preview your QR code and download it in the preferred format.
Please note that with MyQRCode, you can download your generated code in SVG, PNG, or JPG. If you want to make a large QR code for a banner, wall, or urban area, the SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) format is your go-to choice. With its help, you can print your QR code in any preferred size without losing its resolution quality.
Use our large QR code generator to create codes of various complexity and purpose. MyQRCode will cover all the required technical aspects, allowing you to implement the code of any size in any preferred location, be it a billboard, drone show, crop field, rooftop, or else. Moreover, with our tool, you can track your code scans within a user-friendly dashboard and edit your QR content whenever necessary.
