vCard vs MECARD: Which to Use?

When creating contact QR codes, you have two main format options: vCard and MECARD. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right format for your business cards, networking events, and marketing materials.

📊 Quick Comparison

Feature	vCard	MECARD
Compatibility	★★★★★ Universal	★★★☆☆ Good in Asia
Data Fields	Extensive (50+ fields)	Basic (8 fields)
QR Code Size	Medium	Smaller
Standard	ISO/IEC 7816	Proprietary (NTT DoCoMo)
Best For	International use	Japan, Asian markets
Photo Support	✓ Yes	✗ No

📇 vCard (Virtual Contact File)

What is vCard?

vCard is an international standard (RFC 6350) for electronic business cards. It's the most widely supported contact format, compatible with virtually all smartphones, email clients, and contact management systems.

vCard Versions

vCard 3.0 (Recommended)

Compatibility: Excellent - works on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS

Best for: Maximum compatibility, business cards, networking

vCard 4.0 (Modern)

Compatibility: Good - newer devices, some older devices may not support all features

Best for: Advanced features, modern contact systems

vCard Supported Fields

Basic Fields

• Full name (First, Last, Middle)
• Organization/Company
• Job title/Position
• Phone numbers (multiple types)
• Email addresses (multiple)
• Website/URL
• Address (Home, Work)

Advanced Fields

• Photo/Avatar
• Birthday
• Notes
• Social media profiles
• Categories/Tags
• Instant messaging IDs
• Time zones

✓ When to Use vCard

• International business cards
• Professional networking events
• Multiple contact details (several phones, emails)
• Need for wide compatibility
• Want to include photo or advanced fields

📱 MECARD

What is MECARD?

MECARD is a simpler contact format developed by NTT DoCoMo in Japan. It's widely used in Asian markets and creates more compact QR codes due to its minimal structure. However, it has limited international support compared to vCard.

MECARD Supported Fields

• N: Name (Last, First)
• SOUND: Phonetic name (Kana)
• TEL: Phone number (one)
• EMAIL: Email address (one)
• URL: Website (one)
• ADR: Address (simplified)
• BDAY: Birthday
• NOTE: Memo/Note

⚠️ MECARD Limitations

• Only one phone number and email
• No photo support
• Limited international character support
• May not work on all Western phones
• Fewer app integrations

✓ When to Use MECARD

• Targeting Japanese or Asian markets
• Simple contact info (one phone, one email)
• Need smallest possible QR code
• Limited space on business cards

🎯 Which Format Should You Choose?

Choose vCard if:

✓ You need international compatibility
✓ You have multiple contact methods
✓ You want to include a photo
✓ You're targeting diverse audiences
✓ You need advanced contact fields
✓ You're unsure which to use

👉 Recommended for 90% of users

Choose MECARD if:

✓ You're primarily in Japan or Asia
✓ You only need basic contact info
✓ QR code size is critical
✓ Your audience uses Japanese phones
✓ You want the simplest format

👉 Good for specific regional use

💻 Format Examples

vCard 3.0 Example

BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:3.0
FN:John Smith
N:Smith;John;;;
ORG:Acme Corporation
TITLE:Software Engineer
TEL;TYPE=WORK,VOICE:+1-555-123-4567
TEL;TYPE=CELL:+1-555-987-6543
EMAIL;TYPE=INTERNET:john@example.com
URL:https://www.example.com
ADR;TYPE=WORK:;;123 Main St;Anytown;CA;12345;USA
END:VCARD

MECARD Example

MECARD:N:Smith,John;TEL:+15551234567;EMAIL:john@example.com;URL:https://www.example.com;ADR:123 Main St, Anytown, CA;;

Notice: The vCard format is more verbose but more structured. MECARD is more compact but offers less flexibility and fewer fields.

📋 Best Practices

1. Use vCard 3.0 for Maximum Compatibility

While vCard 4.0 has more features, version 3.0 has the widest support and works on all devices.

2. Test on Multiple Devices

Always test your contact QR codes on both iOS and Android devices before printing.

3. Keep Data Concise

Even with vCard, include only essential contact info to keep QR codes scannable.

4. Use Standard Phone Number Format

Use international format (+1-555-123-4567) for better compatibility across regions.

5. Include Essential Info Only

More data = larger QR code. Focus on name, phone, email, and company at minimum.