QR Code Versions 1-40: Module Sizes and Capacity Tables

1. How Version Determines Size

A QR code version sets the grid size. The formula is: $$\text{Modules per side} = 17 + 4V$$ Version 1 is 21x21, Version 10 is 57x57, Version 25 is 117x117, and Version 40 is 177x177. Generators automatically choose the smallest version that fits your data at the chosen error correction level.

2. Reference Capacities

| Version | EC Level | Numeric | Alphanumeric | Byte | |---|---|---|---|---| | 1 | L | 41 | 25 | 17 | | 1 | H | 17 | 10 | 7 | | 40 | L | 7,089 | 4,296 | 2,953 | | 40 | H | 3,057 | 1,852 | 1,273 |

3. Practical Takeaway

Raising error correction or adding characters pushes the code to a higher version, which means smaller modules at a fixed print size. A 30-character URL at level M fits Version 3 (29x29 modules). The same URL at level H needs a larger version. Keep payloads short to keep modules large and scans fast.