QR Code basics: How to get started

QR Code, short for Quick Response Code, is a 2D barcode that can store various information such as URLs, PDFs, text, contact details, etc. QR Code was first invented by the Japanese company Denso Wave in 1994. Almost three decades later, the QR Code has become commonplace in almost every business. From product packaging to billboards- QR Codes are being deployed everywhere to share information, track inventory, conduct surveys, marketing, advertising, and more.

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Yes, static QR Codes are free due to the limited features they offer. But dynamic QR Codes involve a paid subscription as they offer features such as tracking, editability, etc. Consider your needs - if you just need a simple QR Code for a fixed piece of information, a free QR Code generator will do. But if you need advanced features and security, a paid dynamic QR Code service might be a better option.

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You can easily scan a QR Code using your mobile device. Just open the camera app or a QR Code scanner, and aim it towards the QR Code. For excellent scannability, we recommend printing good-quality, high-resolution QR Codes. If you plan to deploy the QR Codes in coarse environments like a construction site, we recommend creating durable QR Codes with high error correction levels.

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QR Codes are exploding in popularity. Use them to gather instant feedback, share engaging content, and video demos, create marketing campaigns, and much more.

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Should I go for a static or dynamic QR Code?

website qr code

Static QR Codes

Generate static QR Codes for your website, WiFi details, SMS, email, or any other use case.
  • Create unlimited static QR Codes

  • Easy to create on desktop and mobile

  • Basic QR Code customization

  • Preview QR Code design in real-time

  • Download QR Code in only PNG format

  • Free to use, anywhere, forever

website qr code

Dynamic QR Codes

Upgrade to editable and trackable dynamic QR Codes. Get custom QR Code designs and a host of premium features.
LITE
PRO
PLUS
BUSINESS+
  • Create editable QR Codes

  • Advanced customizations

  • Access QR Code analytics

  • Bulk QR Codes

  • Create editable QR Codes

  • Bulk QR Codes

  • Advanced customizations

  • Integration capability

  • Access QR Code analytics

  • QR Code API

  • Create editable QR Codes

  • Bulk QR Codes

  • Advanced customizations

  • Integration capability

  • Access QR Code analytics

  • QR Code API

  • Multiple user access

  • Custom domain

  • Up to 500 dynamic QR Codes

  • Create editable QR Codes

  • Bulk QR Codes

  • Advanced customizations

  • Integration capability

  • Access QR Code analytics

  • QR Code API

  • Multiple user access

  • Custom domain

  • Up to 500 dynamic QR Codes

  • Retargeting

How do I create a QR Code?

step 1

Step 1: Choose the type

Select the QR Code type: Website URL, Digital Business Card Menu, Social Media, Get App, PDF, Location, SMS, Call, Text, Email, Image, etc.

step 2

Step 2: Customize the QR Code

Design your QR Code! Add your brand colors and logo. Choose a shape, background, and add a call to action.

step 3

Step 3: Download

Test your QR Code before deploying and download it in the required format. For resizing, we recommend using high-resolution QR Code formats (.svg, .eps.).

Use cases of QR Codes

add logo to QR Code

Print QR Codes on flyers or use them on brochures to boost your print marketing efforts and track metrics and open rates from offline marketing campaigns.

add logo to QR Code

Improve your networking efforts with our best-in-class digital business card . Share contact details with prospects and clients on the go, by sharing your digital business card and saving it on your Apple/Google wallet.

Change QR Code color

Create mobile-friendly landing pages that redirect to multiple destinations with all-in-one QR Codes. Avoid the hassle of generating QR Codes for each URL. We recommend using Uniqode’s custom landing page builder for a smoother experience.

add logo to QR Code

Collect responses easily and generate potential leads with QR Code forms. They are easy to manage, customize, add logic jumps, and are cost-effective. Let users scan and access online forms effortlessly.

Download high-quality QR Codes

Check out some popular QR Code types

website qr code
WEBSITE QR CODE

Access websites easily with a scan

Convert your website URL into a QR Code. Generate custom website QR Codes that lead to relevant web pages.

pdf qr code
LOCATION QR CODE

Location QR Code

Use location QR Codes to share navigation details with your audience. Link your QR Code to Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze.

pdf qr code
PDF QR CODE

Open and share PDFs

Use PDF QR Codes to deliver tutorials, manuals, comparison sheets, company documentation, and product brochures right away.

website qr code
GOOGLE REVIEW QR CODE

Collect Google reviews

Gather feedback, improve customer experience, and generate revenue with a QR Code for Google Reviews

google form qr code
APP DOWNLOAD QR CODE

Boost app downloads

Encourage users to download an app with a QR Code that redirects them to Google Play, the App Store, or the Windows App Store, depending on their device.

google form qr code
GOOGLE FORM QR CODE

Increase form interaction and responses

Convert your Google Form into a QR Code. Use it to track attendance, conduct surveys, register for events, and more.

Shape your brand identity with a custom QR Code maker

add logo to QR Code

Create a branded QR Code by adding a logo to the center of your QR Code. This helps your audience easily recognize and scan the QR Code.

add logo to QR Code

Customize the QR Code colors to align with your brand. You can also change the color of individual elements such as eyeball, the data pattern or dots, eye frame, or shape of the QR Code itself.

Change QR Code color

Generate a QR Code with a transparent or white background. You can also add a solid color to the QR Code or even an image in the background.

add logo to QR Code

Get ahead and download your QR Codes in suitable formats. You can choose vector QR Code formats like SVG or EPS for offline campaigns. Go with a PNG QR Code or JPG for online campaigns.

Download high-quality QR Codes
blue qr code
gradient circle qr code
gradient circle qr code
blue qr code

Create QR Codes with these ready-to-use templates

Go beyond free QR Codes: Do more with Uniqode’s dynamic QR Codes

We know what it takes to run a successful QR Code campaign - so our team built Uniqode accordingly to equip you with all the features you need.

edit qr code img

Smart QR Codes

Dynamic QR Codes, but better. With smart rules, you can edit, track, and redirect your audience to personalized content based on time, day, location, or the rule of your choice.

track qr code img

QR Code tracking

Get insights on all your QR Code campaigns with metrics such as the number of scans, location, time, and a bonus level of accuracy with GPS location.

generate qr code img

Generate bulk QR Codes

Scale up your campaigns with bulk QR Code– create up to 2,000 QR Codes at once. Instantly download multiple QR Codes with ease.

enterprise grade

Organization

Too many QR Codes on the dashboard? Easily sort them with labels, or use advanced filters to locate QR Codes based on metrics such as number of scans, date created, performance, etc.

multilingual qr codes

QR Code API

Automate QR Code operations, at scale. Connect it to apps, landing pages, forms, get notified of QR Code actions, and track campaigns.

advanced customization

Error correction

Built-in error correction, to ensure scannability at all times with Uniqode’s QR Code generator. Download high-resolution formats and adjust error correction levels.

Additional features for enterprise teams to succeed at scale

centralized admin management

Centralized admin management

Organize your QR Codes on the basis of teams, campaigns, and size. Our centralized admin management lets you add users and collaborate with multiple team members or different teams from a single account.

advanced retargeting

Advanced retargeting

Have users who scanned your QR Codes, but didn’t convert? Improve purchase rate and conversions via QR Code retargeting- on YouTube, Facebook, and Google.

custom domain

Custom Domain

Help users identify your campaign with a custom domain. Say, you have a business named McMickey. Your campaigns can have the domain qr.mcmickey.com.

Integrations: Connect our QR Code Generator with Your Favorite Apps

Zapier | Make | Workato

Connect Uniqode with the following software and thousands more using our integrations with Zapier, Make (formerly Integromat), and Workato.

  • Hubspot
  • Salesforce
  • Mailchimp
  • Dropbox
  • Youtube
  • Microsoft Office Excel
  • Google Calendar
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Shopify
  • Spotify
  • Monday
  • Google Drive
  • Microsoft Office OneDrive
  • Typeform

Zapier | Make | Workato

Receive more in-depth insights on your QR Code campaigns, such as user behavior, engagement, and demographics.

Business Intelligence

Simplify team communication, unify data collection, and keep your team in the loop on the latest QR Code insights in real-time.

Design

Use Uniqode’s add-on in your spreadsheets to seamlessly create QR Codes in bulk and effectively manage your QR Code campaigns.

Marketing

Sync all your QR Codes to your Canva account with a few clicks. Avoid manual uploads and edit your designs with ease.

Productivity

Get started with Uniqode's
QR Code maker for FREE

Start Free Trial
get started with uniqode

QR Code Creation and Customization

Yes, you can create square and circle QR Codes with Uniqode. While creating a QR Code, click on the round or square template to modify.

Yes, you can add a logo to the middle of the QR Code. Creating a branded QR Code helps your audience easily recognize and scan the QR Code.

With dynamic QR Codes, you can change the background color, and generate a QR Code with a transparent or white background. You can also add a solid color using our hex editor, create a vertical or horizontal gradient, or even add an image in the background.

Yes, generating multiple QR Codes is possible with Uniqode. You can create upto 2000 QR Codes at once, and with customization and bulk-edit features.

Scanning and printing

Smartphones, tablets, and all iOS and Android devices that support QR Code scanning in their native camera or Google Lens can scan a QR Code.

Yes, QR Codes don’t need an app as for most Android and iOS users, the QR Code scanner is built into the native camera app. You can easily open your camera and point it at the QR Code to see a preview link pop up.

No, static QR Codes do not have a scan limit. However, dynamic QR Codes come with a scan limit as they allow you to edit, track, and extensively customize your QR Codes. Your scan limit increases as you upgrade to higher plans with a QR Code solution.

It’s best to keep an eye on using the right contrasting colors, the required size, and to test it before printing. We recommend referring our guide on QR Code printing before deploying your QR Code.

The minimum size of a QR Code to be scannable is 2x2cm (0.8x0.8 inches). If the QR Code is smaller than this, the scanner may have issues reading the data pattern.

Yes, you can download QR Codes in high-resolution formats. With Uniqode, static QR Codes can only be downloaded in PNG format, and dynamic QR Codes are downloadable in PNG, JPEG, SVG, EPS, and PDF format.

Yes, you can redirect a QR Code’s destination after printing. To do so, your QR Code should be dynamic. With Uniqode, you can log into the dashboard, click the QR Code of your choice and click “Edit” to update the new content or destination URL.

QR Code generator FAQs

Yes, paid QR Code generators like Uniqode are safe. Our QR Code solution offers security features such as custom domain, phishing detection to avoid fraudulent scans, SSO login, and multi-factor authentication. We are also GDPR and SOC 2® Type 2 compliant.

Below mentioned are some of the best QR Code generators worth checking out:

  1. Uniqode
  2. QR Code Generator Pro
  3. The QR Code generator (TQRCG)
  4. QR Code Monkey
  5. Flowcode

Yes Uniqode’s QR Code generator is free for creating static QR Codes that are non-editable and trackable. To create dynamic QR Codes, you can opt for a free trial or go for a paid plan.

Yes, Uniqode’s dynamic QR Codes are trackable. You can measure metrics such as the number of scans, time, date, duration, unique users, data on QR Code campaign performance, etc. You can also export the tracked data in CSV or PDF format.

If you generate a free, static QR Code, it does not expire as long as the content it leads to is accessible. This also means you can never edit or change it if required. Dynamic QR Codes, on the other hand, are editable and permanent and do not expire as long as your paid subscription lasts.

Reviews

★★★★★4.8 / 5(of 758 reviews)

Free qr code generator

good & effective application. very easy to use. easy to Download.

Shamala

Shamala

Oct 14, 2022

India

Creating qr codes is easy

Love the ease of use and the options for shapes and colours!

Sharon Savage

Sharon Savage

Oct 13, 2022

United States

Creating qr codes is easy

Super easy, works great . Definitely recommended for anyone to use

Karel Beck

Karel Beck

Oct 10, 2022

United States

Creating qr codes is easy

Amazing service quick and easy exactly what I was after.

Kylie

Kylie

Sep 30, 2022

Australia

Make qr codes fast and easy

Really appreciate this website for the ease and usability, especially for me.

Angelica

Angelica

Sep 15, 2022

United States

Free qr code generator

I love it! Easy to use once you figure it out. Does exactly what I need.

Travis Almany

Travis Almany

Aug 28, 2022

United States

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