the two-minute version

What makes a good QR code

Four things that decide whether a code scans first time — and why the boring details matter.

Keep the link short

Fewer characters means fewer squares. A short link draws a sparser grid with bigger blocks — faster and more forgiving to scan.

Point it somewhere you can change

A raw QR is permanent. Aim it at a short link you control and you can swap the destination later — same printed code, new target.

Keep the contrast high

Dark code, light background. Pale colours and busy photos behind the code are the number-one reason scans fail.

Leave the quiet zone

That white margin isn’t padding — scanners need it to find the edges. These codes include it automatically.

Pro tip

Printing it? Always run it through a short link first. Reprinting a flyer because a URL changed is painful — re-aiming a short link takes about ten seconds.