QR code guides

Short, plain answers to the questions people ask most about QR codes.

• Do QR codes expire?

  A plain QR code never expires. It only stops working if the link inside it breaks, or if the code goes through a paid service that you stop paying for.

• Why is my QR code not scanning?

  Most codes fail for a few simple reasons: light dots on a dark background, low contrast, no white border, too small, blurry, or a broken link. Go through the list below.

• What size should a QR code be?

  For print, make a QR code at least 2 cm (about 0.8 inch) wide. For anything scanned from farther away, make it about one tenth of the distance.

• Static vs dynamic QR codes

  A static code holds your real link and works forever, for free. A dynamic code holds a short link from a company, so you can change it later, but it usually needs a paid plan to keep working.

• How to scan a QR code on iPhone and Android

  Open your phone's camera and point it at the code. A link or button appears on the screen. Tap it. You do not need a special app on most phones.

• How to scan a QR code from a screenshot or photo

  You can read a QR code that is already on your phone. On iPhone, open the picture in Photos. On Android, open it in Google Photos and tap Lens.

• Are QR codes safe?

  A QR code itself cannot harm your phone. It is just text. The risk is where the link takes you. Read the link before you open it, and never type passwords or card details on a page you did not expect.

• Are QR codes free?

  Yes. QR codes are free to make and free to use. You only pay if you pick a service that runs your code through its own server, like a dynamic code with scan tracking.

• How to make a QR code

  Pick what the code should open, type in your link or details, then download the code as a picture. It takes about a minute, and it is free.

• Can a QR code be any colour?

  Yes, as long as the dots are clearly darker than the background. Dark dots on a light background scan well. Light dots on a dark background fail on many phones.

• How to add a QR code in Canva or Word

  Make your code, download it as a PNG or SVG, then insert it like any other picture. In Canva, upload it. In Word, use Insert, then Pictures.

• QR codes on flyers and posters

  Make the code big enough for the distance, put it where eyes land, and tell people what they get when they scan. Then test one print before you make the rest.

• How to put a photo or logo in a QR code

  A QR code has spare data built in, so it can still scan when a small part is covered. That is what lets you add a logo in the middle, or blend a photo into the dots. The trick is not to cover too much.

• How much can a QR code hold?

  The largest QR code can hold up to 7,089 digits, or 4,296 simple letters and numbers, or 2,953 bytes of any text. But a code that full is very hard to scan. Keep it short.

• QR code on a business card: do's and don'ts

  Make the code at least 2 cm wide, keep a white border around it, and choose whether it saves your contact or opens a page. Test a printed proof before you order.