Test a QR code before you print it
Choose an image of your code, or type the text for one. It's read back the way a phone would, then tested printed small, out of focus, and faded.
Your codes are made in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.
Or paste a screenshot (Ctrl+V or ⌘V). Use the file you'll print, or a photo of a printed code.
How to test a QR code before you print it
- 01Choose, drop, or paste an image of your code, or switch to text and type its content.
- 02Wait a moment while the code is read as it is and under each test.
- 03Check the pass or fail for each test, and the advice for any that fail.
- 04Fix the code if needed, test again, then print one copy and scan it with a phone.
Questions
What does the test check?
First that the code reads at all, and what it holds. Then it cuts the code out and reads it again as it would look printed 3, 2, and 1.5 cm wide, out of focus, and faded in dim light. Each of those gets a pass or a fail.
My code fails at 1.5 cm. Is that a problem?
Only if you plan to print it that small. 1.5 cm is very small; most codes are printed at 2 cm or larger. A failure at 3 cm or when faded is a real warning.
Why does my code fail when blurred or faded?
Usually too much content, weak contrast, or a logo covering too much. Shorten the link, use a darker code colour on a lighter background, or make the logo smaller.
Can I test a photo of a printed code?
Yes. A sharp, straight-on photo works. A pass means the code itself is fine; a fail on a photo can also come from glare or focus, so try a second photo before changing the code.
Does a pass guarantee every phone will scan it?
No test can promise that. This one uses the same reader on every browser and simulates common problems, but real light, surfaces, and cameras vary. Print one copy and scan it with two different phones before a big print run.
Are my images sent anywhere?
No. Codes are read in your browser, and images never leave your device.
Do you see what I type?
No. Your codes are made in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.
Related tools
- Size calculatorSmallest print size from scan distance and your real content.
- Contrast checkerContrast ratio for code colours, with fixes that keep your hue.
- QR code with logoYour logo in the centre, checked to scan after it goes in.
- Custom QR codeDot shapes, corner shapes, and gradients, each checked to scan.
- QR scannerCamera or image. See where a code goes before you open it.
QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED. Codes are read back with ZXing-C++ and zxing-wasm (licences).