How to create a QR code
A QR code lets people open a link by pointing their phone camera at it. They are useful on flyers, menus, business cards and slides, and making one takes seconds.
Make the code
- Open the QR Code Generator.
- Paste the web address or text you want the code to hold.
- Download the finished QR code image.
The code is created in your browser. Because the information is stored in the code itself, it keeps working as long as the link it points to does.
Make sure it scans
- Test it with a phone camera before you print or publish.
- Print at least 2 cm across and leave a blank margin around the code.
- Use dark code on a light background; low contrast is the top reason scans fail.
- Shorter links make simpler, easier-to-scan codes.
Using the image
Scale the picture with Resize Image if you need a bigger copy for print, and keep the original file in case you need to reprint.
Before you print
- Check the link by opening it yourself. A typo in the address is baked into the code.
- Use https where you can, since many phones warn about plain http links.
- Point the code at a page that is made for phones, because that is where most people will scan it.
- Avoid free short-link services for printed codes, since the short link may stop working and take your code with it.
Size, contrast and distance
Make the code large enough for the place it will be read. As a rough rule, a phone can scan a code from about ten times its width away, so a code 3 cm wide works at arm length and a poster code needs to be much bigger. Keep a plain margin around the code, use a dark code on a light background, and do not put a picture or colour over it.
Tracking whether people scan it
A code itself has no counter. If the link goes to your own website, add a label to the address, such as a source tag for a flyer, so your analytics shows how many people arrived from it. Use a different label for each place you print the code.
Ideas that work well
- A menu or booking page on a table card.
- Your portfolio or contact page on a business card.
- A download or sign-up page on a flyer or a slide.
- A short message or note, for something that needs no website at all.
Frequently asked questions
Does the QR code expire?
No. The data is stored in the code itself, so it works as long as the destination exists.
Can I change the link after printing?
No. A code always opens what it was created with. If the link may change, point it at a page you control that can redirect.
Is my link sent to a server?
No. The code is generated in your browser.
How big should a printed QR code be?
At least 2 cm across for close-up use, and larger for anything read from a distance. Scan it with a phone before you print many copies.
Why will my code not scan?
The usual reasons are low contrast, too small a size, no margin around the code, or a very long link. Make it larger, use dark on light, and shorten the address.
Can the same code be used in many places?
Yes, but you will not be able to tell where scans came from. Use a different labelled link for each place if you want to know.