QR Code Generator
Frequently asked questions
Where are QR codes used?
A QR code links an offline material to an online page: a code on a business card, a leaflet, a sticker or a billboard saves a person from typing out a long address by hand. To track how many scans a specific code brought in, use a link with a UTM tag – the UTM builder adds source parameters right into the address before it is encoded.
Why might a QR code fail to scan?
Before printing, the first thing to check is whether the link is correct: a mistake in the address inside the code cannot be fixed after printing, the code will have to be generated and printed again. The other reasons come down to four.
| Reason | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Too small a size for the scanning distance | increase the size before printing – the farther the camera, the larger the code needs to be |
| Low contrast between the code and the background | print a dark code on a light background with no colored underlay |
| Creases and glare on a glossy surface | use matte printing or avoid folds on the medium |
| A link that is too long | shorten the address – the longer the content, the denser the code's pattern |
Does a QR code have an expiry date?
No, the code itself does not expire – it statically stores the string that was pasted in. It can stop working only if the encoded link stops being available on the other end.
Can the content of an already generated code be changed?
No, the finished image cannot be edited. To change the link, a new code needs to be generated and used to replace the old one on the printed material.
What size should be chosen for printing on a business card?
A small size is enough for a small medium like a business card, but what matters more than the absolute pixel number is the final physical size after printing – a code smaller than 2 cm on a side can scan poorly on weaker cameras.
What format does the finished code download in?
The generated image can be saved as a regular picture, the same as any other image on a web page.
Paste a link or text into the "Content" field, set the image size in pixels and press "Generate" – the QR code is ready to download and print.
How to make a QR code
- Paste the content. A link to a site, plain text, a phone number or any other string that needs encoding all work in the "Content" field.
- Set the size. The "QR code size (pixels)" field is set to 200 by default. For printing on a large medium, such as a banner, it is better to increase the size beforehand rather than stretch the finished image.
- Press "Generate" and download. The code appears right away and is ready to save and print. It is called a few different things day to day – QR code, quick response code – but it is always the same two-dimensional barcode.
What can be encoded into a QR code
- A link to a site or a specific page – the most common use case.
- Plain text – instructions, a short message, a promo code.
- Contact details – a phone number or address for quick saving.
A QR code encodes exactly the string you pasted – it does not create a separately formatted contact card or a Wi-Fi connection, it stores the text content of the field as is.
Related tools
Before printing a code that links to an article, it is worth checking the snippet preview of the target page, and for the link itself, tagged by source, building it with the UTM builder.