Beautiful QR codes,
crafted in seconds.
Links, vCards, PDFs, social profiles — pick a style, drop in your logo, and download print-ready PNG or vector SVG.
Scanners will open this link in a browser.
Add a logo (optional)
A logo adds your brand. Keep it small — error correction is automatically boosted.
Customize your QR code
Colors
Keep strong contrast for reliable scanning.
Shape & body
Enter content to generate
Common uses for QR codes
QR codes bridge the physical and digital world. Here are some popular ways people use them.
Restaurant menus
Let diners view your menu PDF on their phone — no app required.
Business cards
Share a vCard so people save your details with one scan.
Flyers & posters
Drive viewers from print to landing pages or events.
Websites & socials
Get more followers by linking directly to your profile.
A practical guide to QR codes that actually get scanned
A QR code is only useful when people can scan it on the first try. The tips below come from years of real-world testing in restaurants, retail, events and packaging, and they apply whether you are designing a single business card or rolling out signage across hundreds of locations.
Choose the right content type
Match the QR type to what you want to happen after the scan. A URL is best for landing pages, online menus and event sign-ups. A vCard saves your contact details to the phone in one tap, which beats handing out a paper card. A PDF link is ideal for menus, instructions and brochures because it opens instantly in the phone's browser. Plain text, phone and email codes are useful for short messages, customer service hotlines and quick mail-to actions.
Design for contrast and clarity
Scanners read QR codes by detecting dark modules on a light background. Keep the foreground noticeably darker than the background — black on white is the gold standard, but any high-contrast pair works. Avoid inverting the colors (light on dark), since some older cameras struggle with that. Keep a clean margin (the 'quiet zone') of at least four modules around the code so the scanner can isolate it from surrounding artwork.
Pick a size that fits the scanning distance
As a starting point, use 1 cm of QR code for every 1 m of distance between the code and the phone. A business card or flyer at arm's length scans well at 2–3 cm. A poster across a room needs 10 cm or more. A storefront window or trade-show banner viewed from across a sidewalk should be 25 cm or larger. When in doubt, print a test at the planned size and try it with both an iPhone and an Android phone.
Add a logo without breaking the scan
A small centered logo personalizes your code and builds trust. QR codes include error correction, which means a portion of the image can be obscured and the code still reads correctly. Keep the logo under 20–25% of the QR area, use a solid background behind it, and always test the final design with several phones before you print thousands of copies.
Test in real conditions before printing
Scan the code from the actual surface it will live on. Glossy paper, curved bottles, fabric and laminated menus all reflect differently than a flat screen preview. Test in dim light, bright sunlight and from off-angles. If a scan ever fails, increase the size, boost the contrast or simplify the encoded content (shorter URLs are easier to read).
Write a short, descriptive call to action
People scan QR codes when they know what they will get. Pair every printed code with a short label like 'Scan to view our menu', 'Scan to save my contact' or 'Scan for 10% off'. A clear promise dramatically increases scan rates and helps the destination page meet user expectations.
Pre-print checklist
- Code scans cleanly from 3+ different phones
- Foreground and background have strong contrast
- Quiet zone (margin) of at least 4 modules is preserved
- Logo, if used, covers less than 25% of the code area
- Final printed size matches the expected scanning distance
- Short call-to-action explains what the scan will do
- Destination URL works on mobile and loads quickly
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about creating QR codes with QR Genie.