URL Guide
A concise URL makes a smaller QArtCode, with fewer photos shown at a larger size.
A QR code is a square grid of data pixels: the more information it holds, the larger the grid. The smallest QR code is 21×21, and each size up adds 4 pixels per side (25×25, 29×29, and so on). Try your URL in the tool below to see which size it needs.
| Length | – |
|---|---|
| Encoding | – |
| QR code size | – |
Note: These sizes are for a code without an internal pattern overlay. A code with an internal pattern overlay starts at 25×25, however short the URL.
Use Capital Letters
One of the most effective ways to shrink a code is to stick to Alphanumeric characters: capital letters, numbers, and a handful of symbols ($, %, *, +, -, ., /, and :). Anything else, even a single lowercase letter, switches the whole URL to Byte encoding, which takes more room. For example, https://qartcode.com is 20 characters of Byte encoding and needs a 25×25 code, while HTTPS://QARTCODE.COM is 20 characters of Alphanumeric encoding and fits in 21×21. Both open the same website, because browsers ignore capitalization in the https:// and the domain name.
One quirk to be aware of: the path after the domain (such as /menu/fall-specials) is up to the website, and some treat capitals differently. Type your capitalized URL into a browser to make sure it still opens the right page.
Leave Out What You Do Not Need
Every character costs data pixels, and several common ones can usually go:
- www. Most websites open with or without it. Check yours.
- A trailing slash. EXAMPLE.COM/MENU/ and EXAMPLE.COM/MENU almost always open the same page.
- Query strings. Anything after a ? (such as ?utm_source=qr) adds length, and ?, =, and & aren't Alphanumeric, so they force Byte encoding.
- Extra path segments. A link to a site's home page is shorter than a link deep inside it.
Shorten the URL
A URL shortener service (bit.ly) turns a long address into a short one that redirects to your URL. That helps when the page you want has a long address, and many shorteners also let you change where the link points later or count how often it's scanned. Their short codes are usually case-sensitive, though, so capitalizing them often breaks the link; test it.
If you run your own website, another option is a short redirect on your own domain, such as HTTPS://EXAMPLE.COM/QR. It can be just as short, it shows your name when scanned, it can be written in capitals, and you stay in control of where it leads.