How to Make a QR Code That Scans Every Time
Making a QR code takes seconds, but small mistakes can stop it working in print. This guide covers the content type, size, contrast and file format, so your code works on every phone.
Open the tool: QR Code Generator
1. Decide what the code should do
Start from the action you want: open a page, join Wi-Fi, save a contact, start a message or show a place on a map. A restaurant table card usually links to the menu page. A guest room card works best as a Wi-Fi code, because guests join without typing a long password.
2. Keep the content short
Every extra character adds modules (the small squares), and denser codes are harder to read from a distance or on a crumpled flyer. A URL of 30 to 50 characters gives a compact code. Remove unnecessary parameters, or use a short link on your own domain.
3. Choose the error correction level
Error correction lets a code survive damage. Medium (15%) suits most uses. Choose High (30%) if you add a logo or the code will be printed on rough, curved or outdoor surfaces. Higher levels make the pattern denser, so only raise it when you need to.
4. Pick colors and size
Phones need contrast. A dark code on a white or light background is the safest choice; light-on-dark codes fail on some scanners. As a rule of thumb, the code should be at least one tenth as wide as the distance people scan it from.
| Scanning distance | Minimum code width |
|---|---|
| 25 cm (10 in) | 2.5 cm (1 in) |
| 50 cm (20 in) | 5 cm (2 in) |
| 1 m (3 ft) | 10 cm (4 in) |
| 3 m (10 ft) | 30 cm (12 in) |
5. Download the right file and test it
Use PNG for screens, documents and slides. Use SVG for print, because a vector file stays sharp when it is enlarged for posters and signs. Before printing a batch, print one copy and scan it with an iPhone camera and an Android camera or Google Lens.
Where QR codes work well
- Restaurant menus and table cards
- Product packaging and manuals
- Business cards and name badges
- Posters, flyers and shop windows
- Event tickets and check-in desks
- Wi-Fi details in cafés, offices and rentals