QR codes explained: what to encode and how to make them scan every time
A QR code is a picture that stores a short piece of information - a link, a Wi-Fi login or a contact - so a phone camera can read it instantly. This guide shows what you can encode and how to make a code that scans reliably.
Common uses
Share a website or social profile
Put a link on a visiting card, shop window, brochure or invoice so people open it with one scan.
Wi-Fi for guests
Print a code that lets visitors join your network without typing a long password.
Contact cards
Store your name, phone, e-mail and address as a vCard that saves straight into the phone's contacts.
UPI payments
Create a payment link with your UPI ID and an optional amount for a shop counter or invoice.
Menus, events and tickets
Link to a PDF menu, a registration form or a map location.
Quick messages
Pre-fill an e-mail, an SMS or a phone call so scanning starts the action.
Static codes
A static QR code contains the information itself, so it never expires, needs no account and cannot be switched off. The trade-off is that you cannot change a printed code - make a new one if the link changes.
Contrast and quiet zone
Scanners need strong contrast and an empty margin (the quiet zone) around the code. Use a dark code on a light background and keep the margin the tool provides.
Error correction levels
L restores about 7% of damage, M about 15%, Q about 25% and H about 30%. Higher levels make denser codes but survive logos, scratches and poor printing.
Size and distance
A code should be about one-tenth of the scanning distance: 2 cm for close reading, 10 cm for about a metre. Always test with a real phone before printing many copies.
PNG or SVG
PNG suits documents, chats and websites. SVG is vector, so it stays razor sharp when printed on banners, packaging or signs.
Privacy and safety
Codes are generated in your browser, and nothing you type is sent to a server. Only scan codes from sources you trust, because a code can hide any link.
Troubleshooting
My phone cannot scan it
Increase the contrast, make the code bigger, avoid glossy reflections, and keep the whole code including its margin visible.
The code looks too dense
Shorten the text or link, or choose a lower error-correction level.
The link changed
Static codes cannot be edited. Generate a new code and replace the printed one.
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