How to make a QR code that always scans
By M Alamgir Saeed · Updated
QR codes are everywhere: on menus, posters, business cards and parcels. Making one takes seconds, but a code that is too small, too low-contrast or printed without testing can fail at the worst moment. Here is how to create one that works every time.
What a QR code is
QR stands for "Quick Response". The format was invented in 1994 by Denso Wave, a Japanese company, to track car parts, and it was later made an international standard. A QR code stores text, such as a web address, in a square grid of black and white modules that any phone camera can read.
Step by step
- Open the QR Code Generator and choose what the code should contain: a link, plain text, Wi-Fi details or contact information.
- Type or paste the content. The code updates as you type.
- Choose the size and, if you like, the colours. Keep strong contrast: dark code on a light background.
- Download it as PNG for screens and documents, or SVG for printing at any size.
- Scan it with at least two different phones before you print anything.
Error correction: why some damage is fine
QR codes contain extra data so they still scan when part of the code is dirty, torn or covered. There are four levels: L restores about 7 percent of the code, M about 15 percent, Q about 25 percent and H about 30 percent. Level M is the most common choice. A higher level makes the code denser but tougher, which is useful for codes that will be printed on packaging or placed outdoors.
Size, contrast and placement
- Print it large enough: about 2 x 2 cm is a practical minimum for a short link held close to the camera; bigger for posters seen from a distance.
- Keep a quiet zone, a plain margin around the code, so the camera can find its edges.
- Use dark modules on a light background. Inverted or low-contrast codes fail on many phones.
- Keep the content short. A short link produces a simpler code that scans faster.
Static codes never expire
The codes made here are static: the link or text is stored inside the code itself, so the code works forever and does not depend on any service staying online. The trade-off is that you cannot change the destination after printing. If you might need to, point the code at a page on your own website that you can update.
Try the free QR Code Generator
Frequently asked questions
Do these QR codes expire?
No. The content is stored inside the code, so it keeps working as long as the link it points to works.
Can I add a logo to a QR code?
A small logo in the centre can work with a high error correction level, but always test it on several phones before printing.
PNG or SVG?
PNG for websites and documents, SVG for printing because it stays sharp at any size.