ISO IEC 18004-2024 PDF

Full title and description

Information technology — Automatic identification and data capture techniques — QR code bar code symbology specification (ISO/IEC 18004:2024). Specifies the QR Code symbology requirements including symbol characteristics, data encoding methods, symbol formats and dimensions, error correction rules, a reference decoding algorithm, production/print quality requirements and user-selectable application parameters.

Abstract

This international standard defines the QR Code family of two‑dimensional matrix symbols. It covers how data are encoded and arranged in QR Code symbols, symbol versions and sizes, error correction and recovery behaviour, reference decoding procedures, dimensional and printing characteristics, quality/verification requirements, and parameters intended to ensure reliable, interoperable encoding and decoding across devices and applications.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: 15 August 2024
• Publisher: ISO/IEC (International Organization for Standardization in cooperation with the International Electrotechnical Commission) — developed under ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31
• ICS / categories: 01.080.50, 35.040.50
• Edition / version: Edition 4 (2024)
• Number of pages: 111

Scope

Applies to QR Code symbology implementations used for automatic identification and data capture. The standard specifies the symbol structure and layout, permitted data character encodings and modes, symbol versions and size limits, dimensional and module characteristics, error correction coding and levels, a reference decode algorithm for conformance, production and print/mark quality requirements, and options for application-specific parameters needed to achieve interoperability between encoders, decoders and verifiers.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of QR Code symbology characteristics and permitted symbol formats (versions, module grid layouts).
• Data encoding modes and character set handling (numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, and language-specific encodings where applicable).
• Error correction scheme and levels, including Reed–Solomon error correction parameters and recovery behaviour.
• Reference decoding algorithm describing deterministic decode behaviour for conformance and interoperability testing.
• Dimensional and tolerancing requirements for symbol modules, quiet zones and placement patterns.
• Production and print/mark quality expectations to support reliable scanning (contrast, distortion, modulation and other quality attributes).
• User-selectable application parameters and rules for structured append / multi-symbol usage where supported.
• Conformance guidance for implementers (encoders, decoders, verifiers) to ensure consistent behaviour across products.

Typical use and users

Used by barcode/automatic identification system designers, software developers implementing QR Code encoders and decoders, hardware manufacturers (imagers, printers, verifiers), quality and compliance laboratories, systems integrators, application developers (mobile apps, payment systems, ticketing, logistics), and organizations creating application specifications that rely on QR Code interchange.

Related standards

Other ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31 standards commonly used alongside ISO/IEC 18004 include: ISO/IEC 15415 (print quality test specification — two‑dimensional symbols), ISO/IEC 15426‑2 (verifier conformance — 2D symbols), ISO/IEC 16022 (Data Matrix symbology specification) and ISO/IEC 29158 (DPM/direct part mark quality guidelines). Implementers will often reference these for quality measurement, verifier conformance and for alternative 2D symbologies.

Keywords

QR Code, QR-code, 2D barcode, matrix code, automatic identification, data capture, symbology specification, encoding, decoding, error correction, Reed‑Solomon, reference decoding algorithm, print quality, verifier, ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC 18004:2024 is the international specification for the QR Code family of two‑dimensional bar code symbols, defining how QR Codes are encoded, formatted, decoded and verified to ensure interoperable use.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers symbology characteristics, data encoding methods, symbol formats and versions, dimensional and production requirements, error correction rules, a reference decoding algorithm and guidance for production quality and application parameters.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Developers of encoders/decoders, barcode hardware manufacturers, quality/verification labs, systems integrators, application authors (payments, ticketing, logistics), and standards or procurement teams specifying barcode requirements.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: This edition was published on 15 August 2024 and is the current (4th) edition; it supersedes the previous edition ISO/IEC 18004:2015.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. It is part of the ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31 body of work on automatic identification and data capture techniques and is used alongside related standards such as ISO/IEC 15415, ISO/IEC 15426‑2, ISO/IEC 16022 and ISO/IEC 29158 for quality, conformance and alternative 2D symbologies.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: QR Code, 2D barcode, matrix symbology, encoding, decoding, error correction, Reed‑Solomon, reference decode algorithm, print/mark quality, verifier, automatic identification and data capture.