What is a QR code?
A QR code is a machine-readable pattern that can store information such as a web address or text. A phone camera or QR scanner can read the pattern and display the encoded information.
Need a QR code for a website URL or text? Use the free ToolAlto QR Code Generator in your browser.
Open QR Code Generator →How does a QR code link work?
When a QR code contains a website URL, scanning it gives the phone the address stored in the code. The scanner can then open that web address in a browser. The QR code itself does not make a website or link; it stores the information needed to reach the destination.
How to create a QR code for a website
- Copy the exact website URL you want people to visit.
- Open the ToolAlto QR Code Generator.
- Enter the URL or text.
- Generate the QR code.
- Scan it with a phone to confirm the destination is correct.
For a more detailed walkthrough, see How to Create a QR Code for a Website or Text.
What can you put in a QR code?
QR codes can contain website links, plain text, contact information, event details, menu links, directions, or other supported data. The exact amount of information a code can hold depends on the QR format and the data being encoded.
Test a QR code before sharing
Always scan the finished code before printing or publishing it. Check that the destination opens correctly and that the code can be scanned from a practical distance.
- Test in normal and lower lighting.
- Try the code at the size people will actually see.
- Check the destination on a phone, not only on a desktop.
- Make sure the printed or displayed code is sharp and not distorted.
Keep a QR code readable
Use a clear background and leave enough empty space around the code. Avoid making it unnecessarily small, stretching it, or covering part of the pattern with other graphics.
QR code link mistakes to avoid
- Encoding the wrong URL.
- Using a link that later becomes unavailable.
- Printing the code too small or blurry.
- Placing it on a busy background with poor contrast.
- Skipping a scan test before distributing it.
FAQ
What is a QR code link?
A QR code link is a website address stored inside a QR code. Scanning the code can open that address on a phone.
Can a QR code contain text instead of a link?
Yes. A QR code can store plain text as well as a website URL, provided the generator and scanner support the data.
Do QR codes expire?
A static QR code does not normally expire by itself. However, a website or other destination encoded in it can stop working or change.
Should I test a QR code before printing it?
Yes. Scan the final code from a phone and confirm that it opens or displays the intended information.