Create a QR code from a website address
Make a short link and a downloadable QR code, then test both before sharing online or in print.
Create and download a QR code
Sign in before creating a link you intend to keep. Guest links expire after 24 hours, even if you have already downloaded or printed their QR image. A free registered account lets you save and manage links; a paid plan is optional.
- Open the shortener and paste the final website address into Your long link.
- If you have Premium, expand Short-link domain to choose an address. Complete verification, then choose Shorten link.
- In the result, choose QR code to open the preview. From My links, the compact button may say QR.
- Choose Download PNG for a raster image or Download SVG for a vector file. The dialog also offers Copy QR image when your browser supports it.
- Scan the downloaded image and check the destination. Keep a copy of the short URL alongside the artwork.
Premium adds color choices and a local logo export. Logo files are processed on your device and embedded in downloads; they are not uploaded or saved to your account.
Example: a QR code for a printed flyer
Your destination is https://example.com/workshop-registration. Create a saved short link for it, download its QR image and place both the QR and the readable short URL on the flyer. This is an illustrative address, not a live 1shorturl link.
- Keep the light border around the QR image. Do not crop it or place text over it.
- Use a high-contrast code on a plain light background. Darker artwork is generally easier to distinguish than a pale code.
- Enter your planned printed width in the QR dialog and review its readability advice.
- Test a physical sample at the final size, viewing distance and lighting, with more than one phone if possible.
The built-in decode checks help detect image problems, but they cannot reproduce your printer, paper, lighting or every camera. A successful on-screen check is not a guarantee of a successful printed scan.
Change a destination after printing
For a link saved to your account, open My links, find the link and choose Edit. Update the destination and save it. The existing short address and QR image continue to use that link, so you normally do not need to reprint the image just to change the destination.
Check the result again after saving. Links still depend on their status, expiration, safety checks and destination availability. If you use a customer-owned subdomain, keep its registration and DNS active.
Fix scanning and download problems
The code scans, but the page does not open
Open the short URL as text. A guest link may have expired, a saved link may be paused, or the destination may be unavailable. Sign in and check the link in My links. Changing the QR artwork cannot restore an expired or unavailable link.
The camera cannot read the image
Try classic black, remove the logo, restore the white border and enlarge the printed image. Avoid stretching the image or saving a screenshot of a tiny preview. Download a fresh PNG or SVG, then test the final artwork.
Copy QR image is unavailable
Use Download PNG or Download SVG. Clipboard image support and permissions vary between browsers.
Does a QR visit prove someone scanned it?
No. A generated QR address carries an entry marker, but a forwarded address keeps that marker too. See the analytics guide for how these visits are counted.
Put this guide into practice
Need help with a particular link? Contact support. Include the short URL and the error you see; never include passwords or API keys.