A major feature of Micro QR Code is it has only one position detection pattern, compared with regular QR Code that require a certain amount of area because position detection patterns are located at the three corners of a symbol.

Furthermore, QR Code requires at least a four-module wide margin around a symbol, whereas a two-module wide margin is enough for Micro QR Code.

This configuration of Micro QR Code allows printing in areas even smaller than QR Code.

Micro QR Code is not capable of storing much data (maximum 35 numeric characters).

However, because it can store data for each symbol size more efficiently than QR Code, the size of Micro QR Code symbols does not significantly increase, even though the amount of data is increased (see the figure to the right).

There are four symbol versions of Micro QR Code, ranging from Version M1 to Version M4. Even the highest version, M4, stores less data than Version 1 QR Code.

* Assuming the size of Version 1 QR Code is 1.

Micro QR Code is open in the sense that the specification of Micro QR Code is disclosed and that the patent right owned by Denso Wave is not exercised.