How to make a QR code
- Paste the URL or type the text you want the code to open.
- Pick an error correction level. Medium works for most uses; choose High if you'll put a logo on it.
- Set the size and margin, and choose colors with a dark foreground on a light background.
- Click Generate QR Code, then scan it with your own phone before you share it.
- Download an SVG for print or a JPG for screens and documents.
What error correction level should you use?
Error correction adds redundant data so a QR code can still be read when part of it is damaged, dirty, or covered. Higher levels are sturdier but make the pattern denser, which needs a larger printed size to scan reliably.
| Level | Data it can recover | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| L (Low) | ~7% | Screens and clean digital use where the code won't get damaged. |
| M (Medium) | ~15% | The default. Good for most flyers, posters, and packaging. |
| Q (Quartile) | ~25% | Outdoor or industrial prints that may get scuffed or dirty. |
| H (High) | ~30% | When you place a logo over the center or expect heavy wear. |
How big should a QR code be?
Size depends on how far away people will scan it and how much data it holds. Longer URLs produce denser codes, so shorter links scan more easily at small sizes.
- Business cards and packaging: at least 2 × 2 cm (0.8 in).
- Flyers and menus:3–4 cm (1.2–1.6 in) is comfortable at arm's length.
- Posters and signs: roughly one-tenth of the scanning distance. Scanned from 2 meters, aim for about 20 cm.
Design tips for QR codes that scan
- Keep contrast high. Dark code, light background. Black on white is the safest choice; dark brand colors on white or cream usually work too.
- Leave the quiet zone.The blank margin around the code helps cameras find it. The standard is four modules (the small squares) on every side, which is this tool's default margin.
- Test before printing. Scan with more than one phone, from the real distance, in the real lighting.
- Tell people what they get.A short line like "Scan for the menu" next to the code gets more scans than a code on its own.
To measure results, tag the link with the free UTM builder before creating the code.