How to use it
- Paste the full web address. If you leave out https://, it's added for you.
- Check the preview and readability notes: shorter links make simpler codes that scan more easily.
- Choose colours or add a logo if you like, keeping strong contrast.
- Download the code and scan it with your phone to confirm it opens the right page before printing.
The link is inside the code
ScanHatch makes static QR codes: the web address itself is encoded in the pattern. The code will open that exact address for as long as the page exists. It doesn't expire and doesn't depend on ScanHatch staying online.
The trade-off is that a static code can't be edited after printing. If the page moves, the code points to the old address. To keep flexibility, link to a page you control and can redirect yourself, such as yourdomain.com/menu, rather than a long address from a third-party service.
Static codes also don't count scans. If you need scan statistics, add campaign parameters (such as ?utm_source=poster) to the link so your own website analytics can see the visits.
Use https
Encode https:// addresses rather than http:// wherever the site supports it. Browsers warn about unencrypted pages, and people scanning a code in public are rightly cautious about where it leads.
Shorter links scan better
Every extra character adds modules (squares) to the code. A 30-character link makes a small, open pattern that phones read instantly; a 300-character tracking link makes a dense one that needs to be printed larger. Remove unnecessary parameters, or use a short path on your own domain.
Be careful with public link shorteners for printed codes: if the shortening service closes or changes its terms, every printed code breaks.
Frequently asked questions
Do these URL QR codes expire?
No. The address is stored in the code, so it works as long as the web page exists.
Can I change the link after printing?
Not the code itself. You can change what the address shows, for example by redirecting that page on your own website.
Can I track how many people scan it?
ScanHatch doesn't track scans. Adding campaign parameters to the link lets your own website analytics count the visits.
Other QR code types
Further reading
Need a different kind of QR code, such as an event or plain text? Open the full QR Code Generator.