How to Create a QR Code
Making a QR code takes under a minute. Making one that reliably scans off a printed page takes a couple of extra decisions — content type, size and testing. Here is the whole process.
1. Decide what the code should do
A QR code encodes one piece of data. Before you generate anything, decide what should happen when someone scans it: open a page, join a WiFi network, save a contact, start an email, dial a number, or simply show some text.
- Open a website — use a URL code
- Join WiFi — use a WiFi code with SSID and password
- Save contact details — use a vCard code
- Start a message — use an email or SMS code
2. Enter your content carefully
Type the content exactly, including https:// for links and the country code for phone numbers. Shorter content produces a coarser, more forgiving pattern, so trim anything unnecessary from the URL or message.
3. Style it, without breaking it
Color, gradients, dot shapes and a center logo are all safe within limits. Keep strong contrast between the pattern and the background, keep the quiet-zone margin, and keep any logo to roughly a quarter to a third of the code's width.
4. Choose the right format and size
Use PNG for screens, SVG when a designer or printer needs vectors, and PDF for print-ready output. As a rule of thumb, a code should be about a tenth as wide as the distance it will be scanned from.
5. Test before you publish
Download the file, open it at its final size, and scan it with at least two phones — ideally one iPhone and one Android. Test the printed proof too: paper, ink and lamination all affect contrast.
Ready to make one?
Create a QR code now