Send Droppables Into The Wild.
Watch Them Travel The World.
Create free QR codes and short codes for your geocaching coins, wooden nickels, 3D prints, and swag. Print tags at home, see finders' photos from the trail, and follow every milestone across the map.
Found a Trackable in a Cache?
Enter the code from the physical tag or coin to open its lifetime map and log your discovery.
Global Droppable Map
Live locations of community trackables resting in geocaches and roaming the wild.
Plotting live droppables across the globe...
1. Design & Print Tag
Mint a free 6-character code and QR tag. Choose between weather-resistant cards, 1.5" wooden nickel coin inserts, or micro strips and print directly at home.
2. Drop in Any Cache
Place your droppable in a geocache in the wild. When logged, our Geocaching API hook automatically verifies the official GC code (e.g. GC25) and pulls coordinates.
3. Follow the Journey
Finders upload photos of the find from the trail. Watch your item hop between caches, mountain peaks, and countries on an interactive world map with calculated mileage.
The Geocacher's Field Guide to Community Trackables
Everything you need to know about releasing, discovering, and transporting droppables.
What is a Geocaching Trackable?
A trackable (often called a hitchhiker, travel bug, or droppable) is a physical token marked with an individual identification code. Unlike traditional trade swag left in geocache containers, trackables are meant to travel from cache to cache, moved along by fellow cachers striving to help the item reach its destination.
How QRCache Modernizes the Hobby
Traditional metal tags often cost £5 to £10 each and require finders to write down tiny stamped codes. QRCache makes trackables 100% free and instant. Finders simply aim their phone camera at the QR code, opening the item's live dossier with zero app installation or mandatory account login required.
Physical Tag Maker Guide
Our built-in Tag Studio generates print-ready sheets for laminated cards, 1.5" wooden nickel discs, and 3D printable STL coins. Dual-color 3D printing is effortless: perform a simple filament color swap at 1.8mm layer height to produce ultra-durable, waterproof plastic tokens with embossed QR codes.
Trail Ethics & "Leave No Trace"
Always match trackable size to cache container volume. Never wedge tags into micro or nano caches. Log discoveries promptly so future explorers don't hunt for items that have already departed, and snap scenic scenery photos without spoiling the geocache hide location.
Crafting a Memorable Mission
Give your trackable an exciting goal to capture finders' imaginations. Whether your droppable wants to visit historic lighthouses, summit mountain peaks over 3,000 feet, or travel to a sister city across the ocean, clear missions inspire cachers to carry your item across borders and document its travels.
Trail Photography & Milestones
Photos transform a journey from cold GPS coordinates into a living trail documentary. Encourage finders to snap photos of your coin or tag resting by panoramic vistas, landmark trail markers, or inside unique ammo cans. Every upload builds an everlasting visual timeline celebrating the global caching community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is QRCache completely free to use?
Yes! You can mint unlimited unique trackable codes, print tags, generate 3D printable STL files, and record field logs completely free of charge. The platform is supported by community donations and unobtrusive contextual advertising.
Do finders need to register an account to log a find?
No. In the field, convenience and privacy matter most. Finders simply scan the tag's QR code, enter their geocaching handle, select their action (Dropped, Retrieved, or Discovered), and optional photo. No passwords or accounts required.
How does Groundspeak GC Code auto-fill work?
When submitting a field log, typing the cache's GC reference code (e.g. GC25) and clicking "Auto-Fill" connects with public cache records to automatically populate the cache name and geographic coordinates, instantly connecting the milestone on the lifetime map.
How do I protect my trackable if there are no accounts?
When you mint an item, QRCache generates a 32-character cryptographic Private Owner Key and a secret bookmark link. Only someone possessing this key can edit the trackable's name, mission, or description in the Owner Management Portal.