How to Make a QR Code That Scans Every Time

QR codes are on restaurant tables, product packaging, business cards and event posters. Making one takes seconds, but a badly made code, too small, low contrast or pointing to a broken link, frustrates the people who try to scan it. Here is how to create one that works, plus the details that make the difference in print.

How to create a QR code in three steps

1. Open the QR code generator and paste the content: a website link, plain text or a Wi-Fi string (see below).
2. Choose the colors and the resolution. For print, pick the largest size available.
3. Download the PNG and scan it with two different phones before you print or publish it.

The code is generated in your browser, so whatever you type, including a Wi-Fi password, is not sent to a server.

Static vs. dynamic QR codes

• A static QR code stores the content directly in the pattern. It is free, never expires and works offline, but you can't change it after printing. If the link changes, you need a new code.
• A dynamic QR code stores a short redirect link from a paid service. You can change the destination and track scans, but the code stops working if the subscription ends.

For most uses (a website, a menu, a Wi-Fi network), a static code pointing to a link you control is the safest choice. If you may need to change the destination, point the code at a page on your own site and update that page instead.

QR code for Wi-Fi

Phones understand a special text format that connects to a network automatically when scanned:

WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyNetwork;P:MyPassword123;;

• T: security type (WPA for WPA/WPA2/WPA3, WEP, or nopass for open networks)
• S: the network name (SSID), exactly as it appears, including capital letters
• P: the password

If the name or password contains ;, ,, : or \, put a backslash before it (for example, P:pass\;word;). Paste the string into the generator, print it and stick it near the router or at the front desk.

Size and distance

A reliable rule is that the code should be at least one tenth of the scanning distance wide:

Where it is used	Typical distance	Minimum size
Business card, packaging	20–30 cm (8–12 in)	2–3 cm (about 1 in)
Table tent, flyer	40–50 cm	4–5 cm (about 2 in)
Poster	1.5–2 m	15–20 cm
Shop window, banner	3–5 m	30–50 cm

Longer links create denser codes that need more space. Shorter URLs scan more easily at small sizes.

Contrast, colors and the quiet zone

• Dark on light. Use a dark foreground on a light background. Inverted codes (light on dark) fail on some older scanners.
• Enough contrast. Navy on white works; yellow on white or gray on gray doesn't.
• Leave a margin (the "quiet zone") of empty space around the code, ideally four modules (the small squares) wide. Don't let text or images touch it.
• Use PNG or vector files, not blurry screenshots, and avoid stretching the image.

Error correction

QR codes contain redundant data, so they still scan when partly dirty or damaged. There are four levels: L (about 7% of the code can be lost), M (15%), Q (25%) and H (30%). Our generator uses level H, the most robust, which is a good choice for printed codes that may get scratched or covered by a logo sticker.

Checklist before printing

1. Scan it with an iPhone and an Android phone.
2. Open the link and confirm it loads quickly on mobile data.
3. Add a short call to action next to it, such as "Scan to see the menu".
4. Print a test copy at the real size and scan it from the real distance.

Frequently asked questions

Do free QR codes expire?

Static QR codes never expire, because the content is stored in the pattern itself. Only dynamic codes from paid services can stop working.

How do I make a QR code for my Wi-Fi?

Generate a code from the text WIFI:T:WPA;S:YourNetwork;P:YourPassword;; replacing the network name and password with yours.

What is the smallest size for a QR code?

About 2 cm (0.8 in) for close-range scanning, such as on a business card. Increase the size as the scanning distance grows.

Can I change the colors of a QR code?

Yes, as long as the foreground is clearly darker than the background. Always test colored codes before printing.

Informational content only. For legal, financial or health decisions, consult a qualified professional.