QR code tester: will my code scan?
Upload a photo or screenshot of your QR code. We read it, then check that it still reads when small, blurry, tilted and dim, which is where printed codes usually fail. Free and private.
Drop a picture of a QR code here, or paste one with Ctrl+V.
A photo or a screenshot. Your picture stays on your device and is never uploaded.
QR code size calculator
How far away will people stand when they scan it?
Checklist before you print
- Dark code on a light, matte background, with a clear white border on every side.
- At least 2 cm (0.8 inch) wide on anything held in the hand, and about one tenth of the scanning distance on signs.
- A short web address. Long ones make dense codes that fail when small. A dynamic code keeps the pattern simple.
- No stretching, no heavy logo, no pattern or photo behind the code.
- Print one copy and scan it with two different phones in the light where it will hang.
More help: why a QR code won't scan, how big to print it, and how to test a code before printing. Want to read a code instead? Use the QR code scanner.
Questions
How do I test if my QR code will scan?
Upload a photo or screenshot of the code. We read it, then check that it still reads when small, soft-focused, tilted and dimmed. Then print one copy and scan it with two phones.
What does the tester check?
It decodes your picture with a standard QR decoder, then repeats the read at a small size, a normal size, with blur, tilted 12 degrees and in dim light. It is a warning system, not a guarantee for every phone.
How big should a QR code be?
A good rule is about one tenth of the distance it is scanned from, and never smaller than 2 cm (0.8 inch) on a handheld item. The calculator above does the sum for you.
Why does my code fail when it is small?
Long web addresses make dense patterns with tiny squares. A shorter address, or a dynamic code that uses a short one, makes bigger squares that survive small sizes.
Does a logo or a colour make it harder to scan?
It can. Keep strong contrast (dark code on a light background), keep the white border, and keep logos small. Test again after any change.
Is my picture uploaded?
No. The test runs in your browser.
A code that scans, and that you can change
Every look in our style studio is scan-tested before you download it. $3 once.