Below are the most frequently asked questions we’ve received in the past 10 years. Can’t find your question? Contact us!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Everything about the QR Code
A QR-code is an image that can be scanned. The person scanning is sent to what is coded into the QR-code, like a URL or some text. The QR-code consists of ‘blocks’ and a phone or tablet can recognize the unique pattern of those blocks and send the scanner to the corresponding destination.
QR-codes can be created here.
A QR code consists of blocks placed on a background. The pattern of the blocks is unique for every QR code. A phone or tablet can recognize the difference in color between the background and the blocks, and can therefore recognize the pattern. The device then sends the person scanning to the information that is coded with that pattern.
A QR-code is actually just a few ‘blocks’ on a background. So it matters if the page where the QR-code leads to is safe. To protect your online safety, the advice still is: pay attention! Read our blogpost about the prevention of QR code fraud here.
This is very easy with our QR code generator, and works as follows:
- A QR code catches attention;
- QR codes are efficient;
- QR codes need very little storage capacity;
- You can gain insight into your customers through QR codes;
- QR codes are free on our website!
Yes this is possible! You can download the QR code in PNG, SVG or PDF format. Then you can print the QR code. For tips when you’d like to print a QR code, click here.
No, this isn’t required. At QRcode.me you can choose all colors you like. The color combination should have enough contrast, as with too little the QR-code can’t be scanned. Want to know more about customization? Click here.
There can be various reasons why your QR-code doesn’t work. The most common ones are:
- The entered data contains a typo;
- The QR code is of low quality;
- You’re using an app to scan: this often doesn’t work and a camera works better;
- Haven’t found the issue, or want to knoe more? Read about the top 10 reasons why QR-codes won’t work and their corresponding solutions.
Everyone with a smartphone/tablet with camerca can easily scan QR codes by pointing the camera at the QR code. One exception: Android devices with old operating systems (Android 8.0 or lower) sadly can’t scan QR codes. If you’re still unable to scan a QR code you can look at the causes and solutions here.
Yes, QR-codes are royalty free and can be used and created by everyone. There are many applications for QR-codes, so use it for whatever you want. You can create QR-codes here.
Yes this is possible! At QRcode.me you can put a logo in the centre of the QR code with the button ‘logo’. Now you can upload an image from your library, and then you can optionally edit the size. This is obviously very handy as branding. If you want to customize your QR code further you can read more here.
With a dynamic (link blog statdyn) this is shown on the main screen after you’ve logged into your account. Next to each QR code you can see the number of scans, and you can view a graph with more information by clicking on the graph icon. With static QR codes it is harder to track scans, and you can only do it if the static QR code links to your own website. Click here to see how to track QR code scans for both static and dynamic QR codes. (link blog track scans)
At QRcode.me you can choose to edit the colors, block patterns, the edges, insert your own logo, add a customized frame, adapt the quality, choose a size, and more. With dynamic QR codes you can even enter a customized link which everyone will see when scanning your QR code. There are a lot of options to make your QR code perfect! Looking for more explanation about all our options and how to use them? Click here.
A barcode contains information which is stored horizontally. The barcode consists of the width of every dash, and is thus one dimensional. A QR code consists of and uses the length and width of the blocks to contain data, and is therefore two dimensional. Because of this difference QR codes contain over 100 times the amount of information as a barcode can. The possibilites of QR codes are therefore much greater.
The minimum is 1×1 cm. However in practice a QR-code should be larger, as the QR-code should grab attention. If the QR-code is scanned from a great distance, and if the QR-code contains much data (many blocks) the minimum size is higher as well. Click here to read about the ideal QR=code size.
No, a QR-code is just a background with some ‘blocks’ on it. However, if you use a QR-code scan app ads might appear in this app. Our advice: Only use your standard camera app to scan QR-codes as it works best, and it doesn’t show ads. Encountering trouble when scanning QR codes? Click here to see the most likely causes and solutions for why scanning doesn’t work.
For creating static QR-codes you only need our QR-code generator and the data which should be in the QR-code (a link, text, etc.). Optionally you can upload an image, but this isn’t required. For dynamic you’ll also need an account. If you’re not sure about how to create a QR-code, we have a slow, step-by-step explanation for you.
Dynamic QR Code
There are two types of QR-codes: static and dynamic QR-codes. A dynamic QR code works differently than a static QR code. A dynamic QR-code has the advantages that it’s easy to track scans and that the QR-code can be edited after it was created. Read here how dynamic QR codes work, and what the difference is with static QR-codes.
Dynamic QR codes work in 2 steps:
- They first direct towards a unique page. In this case our own website qrcode.me with some data behind the link.
- The page directly sends the scanner to the URL which the creator of the QR code has entered.
Why does it work like this?
Because the link isn’t in the blocks of the QR code itself it can be changed afterwards. After all, the page directs towards the link, and via the page the number of scans is tracked as well. Want to know more about how it works and what the advantages are? Click here.
The number of scans of dynamic QR codes is based on a fair use policy. I.e. with regular use, you won’t scan the QR code every 2 seconds…
That means that there is no trouble with having 10.000 scans a day. If the number of scans is higher, we will contact you first. Hopefully you understand that not everything can be expected from one-time $7.99!
To be clear: 99,99% of our customers have less than 200 scans a day!
No, a dynamic QR code can also be generated for free. Unique in the market! The QRcode.me logo will be briefly (2 seconds) visible on screen though. This can be deleted through a one-time $7.99 purchase. This is no subscription, so you aren’t tied to anything. Creating and using the standard static and dynamic QR codes will always remain free.
Advantages of dynamic compared to static:
- You can track the number of scans easily, with just one click needed;
- You can edit the data after the QR-code was created.
Disadvantages of dynamic compared to static:
- You need an account, and QR-code data has to be saved where it was generated; so others can control your QR-code;
- It takes a fraction of a second longer to load a page with dynamic QR-codes;
- Our logo will briefly appear with free dynamic QR-codes.
No, at QRcode.me all QR-codes work indefinitely; so both free and premium variants never expire. Other generators will force you into a subscription, and deactivate your QR-code if you don’t comply. QRcode.me doesn’t partake in these practices, but offers QR-codes that can be customized, can be created endlessly, and ones that never expire!
You can create QR codes here.
This is very simple and works like this:
- Log into the account with which you’ve created the QR-code;
- Search the QR-code that you’d like to edit;
- Below the ‘Link/Website’ bar you can edit the URL where your QR-code should lead to;
- If you’ve changed the link you can click on the save button.
No, the QR code stays exactly the same. If you edit the link of your QR code, this change is only reflected in our servers. This means that the QR code will direct scanners to a new URL than earlier. The QR code does not change at all for this to happen. So you can still use the same QR code
With a dynamic QR-code the number of scans is automatically saved in your own account. For every QR-code you can see a graph icon and the total amount of scans on the right. If you click on the graph icon a graph appears where the number of scans is displayed per day. Read more about how you can track the number of scans for dynamic and static QR codes here.
This is needed so you can edit the QR-codes after you’ve created them, and to view the number of scans. In your account you can do both of these things, but to do this, we obviously need to know which QR code belongs to who. You can create an account here.
For dynamic QR-codes we currently offer the types link, video, audio, pdf, text, image, vCard, Review and social media.
No, if you archive a premium dynamic QR-code the credit will added to your QR code account. This means that if you have archived a premium QR-code (where our logo isn’t visible) you still obtain the right to a premium QR-code. So by archiving, you can use the released credit to delete the logo for another QR- code. Create dynamic QR codes here.
Yes this is possible! If you’d like to edit the lay-out you can log into your account and then go to the QR code you’d like to edit. You can click on edit style, and if you’ve changed everything you wanted to change, you can click on finish and save.
This is not possible. If you’ve chosen the wrong type, you have to archive the QR-code and create a new one. If you had a premium QR-code, it is automatically saved in your account so you won’t be charged twice.
Static QR Code
All data entered when the static QR code was created is coded into the static QR code; it is in the pattern of the ‘blocks’. This means it can’t be edited after it was created, and that the QR code isn’t saved on any server. Read more to see how a static QR code works, and what the difference is compared to a dynamic one.
Advantages static compared to dynamic QR-codes:
- You don’t need an account, so you know for sure your data isn’t saved anywhere;
- The one scanning the QR-code is directly sent to the destination page, so it’s quick.
Disadvantages of static compared to dynamic QR-codes:
- It’s not possible to edit a QR-code after it was created;
- The number of scans can’t be tracked as easily. (Click here to see how you can track the number of scans with static QR-codes)
QR code applications
The possibilities are just endless, but here are a few examples:
- Directing to an order page;
- Sharing contact details (QR business card(link blog business card));
- Connecting with Wifi;
- Contactless payment;
- Etc. etc.
- Would you like to use one of the many possibilities, click here.
Yes! This is possible by:
- Placing a payment request link in a QR-code;
- Payment requests can expire, so it’s best to use a dynamic QR-code so the QR-code can be edited afterwards;
- The QR-code will send the ones scanning to the webpage of a bank or payment provider to proceed the payment;
- For a clear, step-by-step explanation: click here.
About us
QRcode.me is one of the largest QR-code generators. On average, we create over 40.000 QR-codes a week!
At nearly all QR-code generators you need to pay to create. With some QR-code generators it appears to be free, but actually the QR-code is suddenly deactivated if you don’t pay.
QRcode.me finds this unfair, and works as follows:
- QRcode.me will always offer standard QR-codes for free;
- Our QR-codes will remain functioning forever;
- Our QR-codes have no max. scan limit;
- We offer our customers many options to customize QR-codes: color, quality, size, design, frame etc.
- We offer various QR-code applications (URL, wifi, vCard, etc.);
- We keep improving our generator constantly!
At QRcode.me you always have the choice to pay nothing, and you’re never tied to any subscriptions.
Thanks to your help we’ve been able to run this website for years, and we’d like to continue on for much longer. Would you like to help as well? Then you can see all advantages that donations offer here.
Would you like to contact us? You can do that here, by entering the form.
Rather call? That’s possible, but first message us via the form with the question. Because so many people contact us, we’re unfortunately unable to call everyone. We’d like to call you back in cases like:
- Your company has questions about QR-code possibilities;
- There’s an error, and we’re unable to solve it through email.
- etc.
In short: Nothing!
This is a service of the government, not from us. So don’t ask any questions about this to us!