What is the Dinosaur Mark on a QR Code?
Ever seen a cute dinosaur on a QR code and wondered what it is?
This article answers that question, providing a complete guide to the dinosaur's meaning and copyright.
We also explain how to create a QR code with the dinosaur, as well as methods for creating one without it.
Read on to understand and master the dinosaur QR code!
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What is the Dinosaur Mark on a QR Code?
Sometimes you see a dinosaur mark on a QR code. Many people are likely curious about what this QR code is.
To get straight to the point, this dinosaur mark appears automatically when you create a QR code using the PC or Android version of Google Chrome. The pixel-art style dinosaur mark is quite cute, isn't it?
What Does This Dinosaur Mark Mean?
This dinosaur mark also appears in Google Chrome when you have network problems. In other words, it seems to be used as a mascot character.
Additionally, QR codes (2D codes) have an error correction feature, which is often used to place social media logos in the center. Therefore, it is thought that this dinosaur mark has no functional meaning for the QR code itself but is included for decorative purposes.
How to Create a QR Code with the Dinosaur Mark
To get a QR code with the little dinosaur in the middle, you need to use the built-in sharing feature on the desktop or Android version of Google Chrome. The steps are simple and quick.
Steps for Google Chrome on a Desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Open Chrome: Launch the Google Chrome browser on your computer.
Go to the Webpage: Navigate to the URL that you want to turn into a QR code.
Click the Setting Icon: Look for the "Three dots" icon on the right side of the address bar. It looks like a square with an arrow pointing out of it.
Select "Cast, Save and Share" in the menu.
Select "Create QR Code": Click the Share icon to open a dropdown menu. From the list of options, choose "Create QR Code."
View and Download: A popup will appear in the middle of your screen displaying the QR code with the dinosaur in the center. You can then click the "Download" button to save the image to your computer as a PNG file.
Steps for Google Chrome on Android
Open Chrome on your Android device.
Navigate to the desired page.
Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
Tap on Share... from the dropdown list.
In the share panel that appears, find and tap on QR Code. This will generate the QR code with the dinosaur, which you can then download.
Are There Usage Restrictions or Copyrights on the Dinosaur Mark?
As explained earlier, the dinosaur mark is used as a mascot in Google Chrome.
The dinosaur mark is cute, but when using the QR code, restrictions and copyrights are a concern. After some research, I could not find any official restrictions regarding the dinosaur mark itself. The source code for the dinosaur is included in the open-source Chromium project, and the license for the dinosaur that appears during network failures seems to be a BSD license.
However, since this license pertains only to the source code that generates the dinosaur, the details regarding the design of the dinosaur itself were unclear. This is merely speculation, but it seems unlikely that you would be charged a usage fee for using a dinosaur QR code on a flyer for commercial purposes. However, please use it at your own risk.
If you wish to create a QR code without the dinosaur just in case, please check the following section.
Can a QR Code Be Scanned With or Without the Dinosaur Mark?
As explained earlier, you can overlay other images on the dinosaur portion as long as it's within the limits of the error correction feature. However, adjusting that area can be difficult, so in conclusion, it is not recommended to edit an already generated QR code to remove the dinosaur mark.
Here are a few methods for creating a QR code without the dinosaur.
Use a Browser-Based QR Code Creation Tool
There are several free QR code creation services you can use in a browser, but we recommend QR STOCK. It is a global QR Code service that allows for various customizations of the QR code's design.
Place a logo in the center of the QR code
Change the shape of the dots and eyes
Change the color of each part
QR STOCK | GENERATE / Scan QR Code
Use the Smartphone Version of Google Chrome to Generate a QR Code
When I tried it, the QR code creation feature in the smartphone version of Google Chrome did not add the dinosaur mark. If you are using Safari on an iPhone, you can also create a simple QR code in Safari.
Use the iPhone's Shortcuts Feature
You can use the iPhone's Shortcuts feature to easily create a simple QR code.
Summary: What is a QR Code with a Dinosaur?
The dinosaur mark in the center of a QR code appears when you create a QR code using the standard function of the PC version of Google Chrome. We learned that the dinosaur mark is like a mascot character and has no particular functional meaning. Overlaying the dinosaur mark on the QR code is made possible by the error correction feature.
If you want to create a custom QR code, QR STOCK is recommended. You can easily create QR codes that are free, require no registration, and can be used commercially. You can also perform detailed customizations, such as adding or removing a logo and changing the design.
