Types of Pix QR Codes
Pix defines two primary categories of QR Codes:
- Static QR Code → reusable, fixed structure
- Dynamic QR Code → generated per transaction, with metadata, reconciliation, and expiration
Static QR Code
What it is
A reusable Pix QR Code holds a fixed payload tied to a Pix key (email, phone, CPF/CNPJ, EVP). It does not expire. You can print, share, or display it, and it fits simple, low-volume payment scenarios.Characteristics
- Permanent and reusable
- Does not embed an amount by default (the payer types it)
- Simplest form of Pix acceptance
- Works offline (print, sticker, image)
- Complies with the EMV Pix static format
Typical use cases
- Street vendors, cafés, kiosks
- Professionals (delivery drivers, barbers, tutors, freelancers)
- Donation campaigns
- One payment point shared by many payers
Static QR Code payment flow
- The merchant creates the QR Code once.
- The customer scans it with any Pix-enabled app.
- The customer types the amount.
- The payment follows the standard Pix flow: validation → SPI → credit.
- Settlement happens instantly.
Benefits
- Easy to create and deploy
- Reusable without limit
- Works well in physical settings
- Needs no extra infrastructure
Limitations
- No automatic reconciliation
- The payer types the amount, which risks a wrong value
- Cannot hold detailed metadata (order ID, invoice, and similar)
Dynamic QR Codes
Each dynamic QR Code applies to one transaction and carries a structured payload with:
- predefined amount
- expiration time
- reconciliation identifiers
- metadata (order ID, description, payer details)
Dynamic (Immediate)
What it is
A one-time QR Code for instant payments, with:- a preset amount
- a short expiration window
- a unique transaction correlation ID
Ideal for
- E-commerce checkout
- Delivery apps
- POS systems
- Restaurants (per table or command)
Characteristics
- Strong metadata and reconciliation support
- Expires automatically
- One-time use only
- Real-time webhook confirmation
Pix Cobrança (Dynamic with Due Date)
What it is
A dynamic QR Code for payments with a due date, similar to an invoice. It carries:- due date
- interest and late fees
- discounts or abatements
- payer identification
Ideal for
- Schools and universities
- Condominium or association fees
- Subscription or recurring billing
- Professional invoices
Characteristics
- Holds full billing information
- Stays valid until expiration
- Automatic reconciliation uses the charge ID
Pix Automático (Recurrent)
Pix Automático sets up recurring collection authorizations. The QR Code serves as the initial consent request for periodic debits.
Ideal for
- Subscriptions
- Utility bills
- Monthly services
Pix Saque (Withdraw)
What it is
A QR Code that lets a customer withdraw cash from an authorized merchant.Ideal for
- Retail stores that offer ATM-like convenience
- Pharmacies, supermarkets, or convenience stores
Pix Troco (Change)
What it is
A QR Code for when the customer pays more than the purchase amount. The customer receives the product and gets the difference back as a Pix.Ideal for
- Supermarkets
- Gas stations
- Convenience stores
Payment flow (all QR types)
Figure 1. Pix QR Code payment flow
End-to-end Pix QR Code flow
- QR Code creation The merchant or system creates a Pix QR Code, either static (reusable) or dynamic (transaction-specific). For a dynamic QR Code, the payload may hold a predefined amount, an expiration, and reconciliation identifiers.
- Payment initiation by the payer The payer scans the QR Code with any Pix-enabled bank or wallet app. The payer reviews the payment details before confirmation.
- Pre-transaction validation by the payer’s institution Before it sends the payment, the payer’s institution runs mandatory checks. These cover account status, available balance, transaction limits, and internal risk.
- Settlement through the Pix infrastructure After approval, BACEN’s SPI routes the payment instruction for real-time settlement. If both accounts belong to the same institution, the institution may settle internally without crossing the SPI.
- Instant credit to the receiving institution The receiving institution credits the funds to the beneficiary’s account right after settlement. This completes the payment.
- Confirmation and reconciliation Pix Switch emits webhook notifications with the payment result to merchant or system backends. The backends then reconcile automatically, confirm the order, and update accounting.
Typical use cases
Static
- A bakery prints a single QR Code for the counter
- A barbershop shares its QR Code on WhatsApp
- A street vendor displays a laminated QR Code
Dynamic Immediate
- E-commerce checkout (one QR per order)
- Restaurants that generate a code per table
- Delivery apps that present a QR for each drop-off
Dynamic Due Date
- Schools that generate a monthly QR Code invoice
- Condominium fees with interest or discount rules
- Freelancers that issue billed invoices
Withdraw / Change
- A store offers Pix Saque at the counter
- A customer pays R 98 purchase and gets R$ 22 back as Pix Troco
Regulatory notes (BACEN)
Pix QR Codes must comply with:
- EMV® Merchant-Presented Mode (MPM) specification
- Pix “Iniciação por QR Code” rules
- Mandatory CRC validation
- A defined field structure for dynamic charges
- Expiration and billing rules for Cobrança (due-date QR)
- Transaction limits and the night window (when it applies)