How to Make a QR Code That Scans Reliably

What a QR code stores

The QR codes made with these tools store your content directly, such as the web address itself. They do not point to a separate service. That means the code keeps working as long as the content is still valid, but it also means the code cannot be changed later. If your link changes, make a new code and replace the old one.

Making a QR code for a link

• Open the URL to QR Code tool and enter your web address. If you leave out the prefix, https is added.
• Check the destination shown above the preview. A typo here ends up printed on paper.
• Pick a size and, if needed, change the colors, margin and error correction.
• Download the code as PNG or SVG.

Making a Wi-Fi QR code

• Open the Wi-Fi QR Code tool and enter the exact network name. It is case sensitive and can be up to 32 characters.
• Choose the security type your router uses. Most home and office networks use WPA / WPA2 / WPA3.
• Enter the password. WPA passwords must be 8 to 63 characters long. For an open network, choose None.
• Tick the hidden option only if your network does not broadcast its name, then download the code.

A safety note about Wi-Fi codes

The password is stored inside the code as plain text. Anyone who can see or scan the code can read it. Place the code only where people who should have access can see it, and change the Wi-Fi password if the code reaches the wrong people.

PNG or SVG

• PNG is a picture file and works well for screens, documents and quick sharing. Choose a larger size, up to 1024 px, if you plan to print it.
• SVG is a vector file that can be enlarged without getting blurry, which suits posters and professional printing.

Settings that affect scanning

• Contrast: use a dark code on a light background. The tool warns you when the contrast is low or when the code is lighter than the background, because some scanners cannot read inverted codes.
• Margin: keep a clear empty border around the code. Do not set the margin to 0 if the code will sit on a busy background.
• Error correction: Low restores about 7 percent of damaged data, Medium 15, Quartile 25 and High 30. Higher levels survive scratches and smudges better, but they make the code denser.
• Length: very long links create dense codes that are harder to scan. Use a shorter link when possible.

Adding a logo

You can place a PNG, JPG or WebP logo of up to 2 MB in the center, and set its size between 10 and 25 percent of the code. When you add a logo, error correction switches to High automatically, because the logo covers part of the code. Keep the logo small, and remember that a logo can still make a code harder to scan.

Test before you print

• Scan the downloaded file, not just the preview on your screen.
• Test with more than one phone, and with the camera app as well as any scanner app you expect people to use.
• If you plan to print, print one small copy first and scan that from the distance people will actually use.
• If the code does not scan, increase the size, raise the error correction, shorten the content, or make the logo smaller or remove it.