QR codes are a quick way to send people from a poster, menu, business card or product label to a web page. Creating one takes seconds. Making sure it scans reliably for everyone takes a little more care, and that's what this guide covers.

What you need

  • The full address of the page you want people to visit
  • A QR code generator
  • A phone with a camera, to test the code before you use it

Step by step

  1. Open the page you want to share in your browser and copy its address from the address bar.
  2. Open the QR Code Generator, choose Website link and paste the address.
  3. Check the “Encodes” line underneath. It shows the exact address the code will open.
  4. Adjust the size and colors if you need to.
  5. Point your phone's camera at the preview on screen and make sure it opens the right page.
  6. Download the PNG and add it to your design.

Static vs dynamic QR codes

Before you print hundreds of copies, it's worth knowing which kind of code you're making.

  • Static codes store your web address inside the pattern itself. They keep working for as long as the web page exists, and they don't depend on any company staying in business. The catch is that you can't change where the code points after it's printed. QuickKit Tools makes static codes.
  • Dynamic codes contain a short link to a service that forwards visitors to your page. You can change the destination later and count scans. But the code only works while that service keeps running it. If a subscription lapses or the company closes, printed codes can stop working. Some “free” generators make dynamic codes that later need a paid plan, so read the terms before you print.

Tips for codes that scan every time

Keep the link short

The more characters in the address, the more squares the code needs. A shorter address creates a simpler code with bigger squares, which is easier to scan when printed small or seen from a distance. Link to the exact page you want, but remove anything unnecessary from the end of the address.

Make it big enough

A common rule of thumb is that a code should be at least one-tenth as wide as the distance it will be scanned from. For example, a poster read from 2 meters away needs a code about 20 cm wide. For things held in the hand, such as business cards and leaflets, aim for at least 2 cm (about 0.8 inch).

Use strong contrast

Dark squares on a light background work best. Pale brand colors, or a light code on a dark background, can fail on some phones and scanner apps. If you use color, keep it dark and test it.

Leave space around it

The empty border around a QR code (the “quiet zone”) helps cameras find it. Don't crop it away or place text and graphics right up against the code.

Choose error correction wisely

QR codes contain backup information so they can still be read when part of them is dirty or damaged. Medium suits most uses. Choose a higher level for codes that might get scuffed, like stickers or outdoor signs.

Print it properly

  • Download at 512 pixels or larger for print, and don't stretch the code out of its square shape.
  • Avoid shiny, reflective surfaces and tightly curved surfaces, which confuse cameras.
  • Print a test copy and scan it before printing the full batch.

Test on more than one phone

Scan with an iPhone and an Android phone if you can, in normal lighting, from the distance people will actually use.

Help people trust your code

Because scammers sometimes use QR codes to send people to fake websites, many people are cautious about scanning them. You can make yours more trustworthy:

  • Print the web address in text near the code, so people can see where it leads.
  • Add a short instruction that says what they'll get, such as “Scan to see our menu”.
  • Link to your own website, using an address that starts with https://.

Measuring scans

If your website uses an analytics service, you can add tracking tags to the end of the address, for example ?utm_source=poster&utm_medium=qr, to see how many visits came from the code. Bear in mind this makes the address longer, and the code denser.