🔳 QR codes
How to create a free QR code for a link
Paste the URL, generate the code, and download it: you can make a free QR code in under a minute. Before printing, decide whether you need a static or dynamic code, verify the destination, and test the final design at its real scanning distance.
4 min readUpdated
On this page
A QR code turns information into a pattern a camera can read. This page creates a dynamic QR code for a URL: the code opens a taap.at short link, which redirects to the destination you entered. Saving the link to an account enables open analytics.
How to create a QR code for free
- 1
Copy the full URL
Open the destination and copy its address, including https://. Make sure the page is public and works on a phone.
- 2
Paste the link into the generator
The form creates one QR code without signup. Anonymous use is limited to one creation per day, and the link lasts 30 days unless you save it.
- 3
Download the SVG file
SVG is a vector format, so it can be resized in a design without becoming pixelated. Do not replace it with a screenshot.
- 4
Scan before publishing
Test the final file with at least two phones, on the actual material and from the distance your audience will use.
What this generator provides
The anonymous QR code opens a short link that lasts 30 days and records no analytics. Save it to a Free account to remove automatic expiry and see seven days of data, with 100 monthly opens before an ad-supported interstitial. Editing the destination requires Basic or Premium.
Static vs dynamic QR codes
| Decision | Static QR code | taap.at dynamic QR code |
|---|---|---|
| What it stores | The final destination | A redirecting short link |
| Change destination later | No | Yes, on a plan with editing |
| Measure opens | Not by itself | Yes, when saved to an account |
| Dependency | Only the destination | The short link and destination |
| Best for | Permanent data | Measured campaigns and long-lived print |
Choose static when the information will not change and analytics do not matter. Choose dynamic for menus, signs, packaging, or campaigns that need measurement or a replaceable destination, and confirm that your plan includes editing before printing.
Prepare a QR code for print
- Keep the pattern dark on a light, solid background.
- Preserve an empty quiet zone at least four modules wide around the pattern; do not crop it or place text inside it.
- Do not stretch the file or change its square proportions.
- Avoid folds, glare, and strongly curved surfaces across the code.
- Add a specific instruction, such as “Scan to view the menu,” so people know what will happen.
- Scan a printed proof before producing the full run.
Size and scanning distance
There is no universal minimum because content length, contrast, print quality, camera, and distance all matter. For a short URL, start around 2 cm per side on a card viewed up close, then increase the code as scanning distance grows. The final printed test is the deciding check.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| The code opens an error | Test the short link, then the final destination. |
| It does not scan on paper | Increase size and contrast; restore the quiet zone. |
| It expired after printing | Save the link to an account before distribution. |
| The destination needs changing | Use a dynamic code on a plan that includes editing. |
| You cannot compare placements | Create a separate short link for each location. |
Frequently asked questions
Can I create a QR code for free without signing up?
Yes. The generator allows one anonymous creation per day. The link lasts 30 days and records no analytics until you claim it from an account.
Do free QR codes expire?
The pattern has no built-in date, but it stops working if its link expires or the final page disappears. A taap.at anonymous link lasts 30 days; an account link has no automatic expiry while the account remains active.
Can I change the destination after printing?
Only when the QR code points to a dynamic link and your plan allows editing. Free preserves and measures the link, while destination editing is available on Basic and Premium.
Does the generator download PNG or SVG?
The current generator returns a 480-unit-wide SVG. It is a vector file, so it scales without pixelation; keep its proportions and test a printed proof before a large run.
How many times can a QR code be opened?
The pattern can be scanned repeatedly. Service conditions still apply: Free includes 100 monthly opens before an ad-supported interstitial, Basic raises the limit, and Premium provides unlimited traffic.
Do I need an app to scan it?
Most current phones detect QR codes through the camera. Open the camera, point it at the code, and tap the URL prompt; if nothing appears, improve light, distance, or contrast.
Make it yours and track every click
Create a free account so your links do not expire and you can measure country, device, and source.