QR Codes Explained: Uses and Best Practices

What are QR Codes?

QR (Quick Response) codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can store various types of information. They were invented in 1994 for tracking vehicle parts but are now used everywhere from marketing to payments.

Common Uses for QR Codes

• URLs: Link to websites without typing
• Contact Info: Share business cards digitally
• Payments: Mobile payment systems
• Wi-Fi: Share network credentials
• Events: Ticket validation and check-ins
• Marketing: Promotional campaigns

Error Correction Levels

QR codes have built-in error correction that allows them to be read even if partially damaged:

• Low (7%): Best for clean, digital displays
• Medium (15%): Standard for printed materials
• Quartile (25%): Good for outdoor signage
• High (30%): Best for harsh environments or when adding logos

Best Practices for QR Codes

• Use high contrast (dark on light background)
• Make them large enough to scan easily
• Test before printing or distributing
• Use appropriate error correction for your use case
• Consider adding a call-to-action nearby

Creating QR Codes with Our Tool

Our QR Code Generator lets you customize size, colors, and error correction level. Simply enter your content, adjust settings, and download as PNG.

Static and dynamic QR codes

A static QR code stores your content directly, such as a link or text. It never expires and cannot be changed. A dynamic code stores a short redirect link from a service, which lets you change the destination later and see scan counts, but it stops working if that service closes or your plan ends. For permanent print such as packaging or a plaque, a static code with a short, stable address is the safer choice.

Sizing and printing

As a rule, a printed QR code should be at least about 2 cm (0.8 in) wide. For posters, scale up with the distance: roughly 10 cm of code width for every meter of scanning distance. Keep a blank border around the code, avoid glossy surfaces that glare, and print in high contrast.

Test before you publish

Scan the final printed or on-screen code with at least two different phones, in normal lighting, from the distance real people will use. Check that the link opens correctly on both iPhone and Android and that the page loads quickly on mobile data.

Safety when scanning

QR codes hide the address they point to, so scammers sometimes stick fake codes over real ones, a trick sometimes called "quishing". Before you scan one in public, check that it does not look like a sticker placed over another code. After scanning, read the address your phone shows before you open it, and never enter passwords or payment details on a page you reached from a code you do not trust.

Choosing colors and logos

You can change colors, but keep the dark-on-light contrast. If you place a logo in the center, use the High (30%) error correction level and keep the logo small so the code stays readable.