How to Make a QR Code for Any Link

Whether it's a website, YouTube video, Google Doc, or any other URL — here's how to turn it into a scannable QR code in under 30 seconds, completely free.

The 3-Step Process

Step 1: Copy the URL you want to share. This can be any link — a website homepage, a specific page, a YouTube video, a Google Form, a Spotify playlist, an Amazon product, or any other web address.

Step 2: Go to the QRMake generator and paste the URL into the input field. Your QR code generates instantly as you type — no "Generate" button to click.

Step 3: Customize the colors if you want (optional), then download as PNG for digital use or SVG for print. That's it.

According to Statista, 6.8 billion QR code scans were recorded globally in 2022, growing 96% since 2018 — reflecting how embedded this technology has become in everyday consumer behaviour. Bitly's 2023 State of Connections report found QR code scans grew an extraordinary 433% between 2021 and 2022 alone.

What Links Work with QR Codes?

Any URL that opens in a web browser works as a QR code. This includes standard website links (https://...), shortened URLs (bit.ly/...), deep links to apps (if the app supports them), Google Maps locations, social media profiles, YouTube videos, cloud-hosted files (Google Drive, Dropbox), payment links, and calendar event URLs.

The only requirement is that the URL is publicly accessible. If the link requires a login or special permissions, the person scanning will hit an access wall. Always test with someone who doesn't have your credentials.

According to a 2023 MobileIron survey, 86% of respondents had scanned a QR code in the past year, up from 54% in 2019 — meaning your audience is already comfortable with the technology. The friction is gone; the opportunity is yours to capture.

URL Tips for Better QR Codes

Shorter URLs = simpler QR codes. The more characters in your URL, the denser the QR code pattern becomes. Dense codes need to be printed larger and are harder to scan in low light. If your URL is long (common with tracking parameters), use a link shortener like bit.ly or TinyURL first.

Use HTTPS links. Always use https:// rather than http://. Modern browsers flag HTTP links as insecure, which may discourage people from continuing after scanning.

Avoid temporary links. QR codes are often printed on materials that last months or years. Make sure your URL is permanent. Avoid links that expire (like temporary file shares) unless the QR code is for a one-time event.

Add UTM parameters for tracking. If you want to know how many people scanned your QR code, add UTM parameters to the URL before generating. For example: yoursite.com/page?utm_source=flyer&utm_medium=qr. This lets you track QR code scans in Google Analytics.

Common Use Cases

Linking a restaurant menu, sharing WiFi credentials, directing to a Google Form survey, promoting an Instagram profile, linking to a product page from packaging, sharing a PDF document, or collecting Google Reviews. Each of these is just a URL turned into a QR code.

Frequently Asked Questions