How to Create a QR Code That Actually Gets Scanned

You made a QR code. Nobody scanned it. This happens more often than you think. The problem isn't QR codes themselves. The problem is how most people create and display them.

Why Most QR Codes Fail

QR codes fail for three main reasons. First, people can't scan them because they're too small or poorly placed. Second, users don't know what they'll get when they scan. Third, the codes look generic and boring.

Your phone camera needs to read the code clearly. If the code is blurry, damaged, or smaller than a postage stamp, forget it. The average person won't tilt their phone at odd angles or squint to make it work.

Context matters too. A QR code on a billboard that cars pass at 60 mph is useless. A code on a product label that a customer holds in their hands works great.

Pick the Right QR Code Generator

Free generators exist, but they come with limits. Many add their own branding or cap the number of scans. Some delete your code after a few months.

Look for these features:

• Trackable scan data so you know if people use it
• The ability to change the destination URL without printing a new code
• Custom design options beyond plain black and white
• High resolution downloads for print materials
• No expiration dates on your codes

Popular options include QR Code Generator, Bitly, and Canva. Each offers free tiers with basic features. Paid plans typically start around $5 per month.

Design Your Code for Maximum Scans

Black and white works, but color grabs attention. You can change the color of your QR code as long as there's enough contrast. Dark purple on light yellow works. Light gray on white doesn't.

Add your logo to the center. QR codes have built-in error correction. They can lose up to 30% of their data and still scan. A small logo in the middle uses this buffer without breaking functionality.

Keep the design clean. Don't add decorative elements that touch the code itself. The white space around the edges, called the quiet zone, must stay clear. Most scanners need this border to recognize the code.

Test your code on multiple devices before you print or publish it. An iPhone and an Android phone can read codes differently. If both work, you're good to go.

Size and Placement Rules

The minimum size depends on distance. Use this formula: scanning distance divided by 10 equals minimum size. A code on a poster viewed from 3 feet away needs to be at least 0.3 feet (about 3.6 inches) wide.

For business cards, aim for at least 0.8 inches square. For posters and flyers, go with 2 inches minimum. For billboards or storefront windows, think 12 inches or larger.

Place codes where people naturally pause. Restaurant table tents work because diners sit and wait. Subway ads work because riders stand still. Highway billboards don't work because drivers can't safely scan while moving.

Physical accessibility matters. Put codes at eye level when possible. A code on the floor or high on a wall forces awkward scanning angles.

Tell People What They'll Get

Never display a naked QR code without context. Add a clear call to action that explains the benefit.

Bad example: "Scan here"

Good examples:

• "Scan to see the full menu"
• "Get 15% off your next order"
• "Watch the product demo video"
• "Download the free guide"

People scan codes when they know what's in it for them. Mystery creates friction. Clarity creates action.

Make sure your destination page loads fast and looks good on mobile. Most QR scans happen on phones. If your landing page takes 10 seconds to load or looks broken on a small screen, you've wasted the scan.

Choose the Right Content Destination

QR codes can link to anything online. That doesn't mean they should. Match your destination to your goal.

Best destinations for QR codes:

• Digital menus for restaurants
• Event registration pages
• Product instruction manuals or assembly videos
• Contact information that auto-saves to phones
• Discount codes or special offers
• Payment pages or donation forms
• App download pages

Avoid linking to your homepage unless it's specifically optimized for QR traffic. Generic homepages confuse people who just scanned a code expecting something specific.

Track and Test Your Results

Analytics matter. You need to know how many people scan your code, when they scan it, and where they're located.

Most QR generators provide basic tracking. Look at your data weekly. If scan rates drop, something changed. Maybe your code got damaged. Maybe your offer expired. Maybe the placement doesn't work.

Run A/B tests when possible. Print two versions with different designs or calls to action. See which performs better. Apply what you learn to future codes.

Check your codes regularly. Printed materials fade. Stickers peel. URLs break. A monthly audit prevents dead codes from staying in circulation.

Key Takeaways

• Make your QR code at least 0.8 inches for close viewing and larger for distance
• Add a clear call to action that tells people what they'll get
• Test your code on multiple phone types before printing
• Use high contrast colors and keep a clean border around the code
• Place codes where people naturally stop and look
• Link to mobile-friendly pages that load quickly
• Track your scans to measure what works
• Update broken or outdated codes immediately

What Happens When You Get It Right

A well-designed QR code bridges physical and digital worlds smoothly. Your customers get instant access to information they want. You get measurable engagement and direct connections.

The difference between a scanned code and an ignored one often comes down to these basics. Size matters. Context matters. Design matters. When you nail all three, people scan.