URL Short How to make a QR code from a link on iPhone (and test it)
Shorten the link in URL Short and its QR code appears right under the result. Recolor it with Customize Colors, save it with Save to Photos, and run Test Scan to confirm it opens the right page before you share or print it.
Why shorten the link before you make the QR code?
A QR code gets denser as the text inside it gets longer. A 100-character tracking link needs a grid of about 33 by 33 squares; a 20-character short link fits in 21 by 21. Fewer, bigger squares scan faster, from further away and from a smaller print.
There is a second reason that matters more: once a code is printed, you cannot fix it. A batch of cards can need reprinting over exactly this mistake. A short link is less likely to be mistyped, quick to check, and small enough for a business card.
How do I create a QR code for a URL in URL Short?
- Paste your link into Enter URL on the Shorten tab and tap Shorten URL.
- Scroll to the QR Code section under the short link. The code is already made.
- To change its look, open More and tap Customize Colors. Pick a Foreground Color and a Background Color, and an Error Correction level.
- Tap Save to Photos to keep the image, or Share QR to send it.
- Open More and tap Test Scan, then point the camera at the code on another screen or on a test print.
Every link in History keeps its QR code, so you can come back to it later and export it again, even offline.
Which colors scan reliably?
Scanners read the difference in brightness between the squares and the background, not the color itself. Keep the squares dark and the background light, and check the ratio in Print Optimizer, which calculates it with the same formula used for readable text on screens.
| Squares color | Contrast Ratio | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Black (#000000) | 21.0:1 | Fine |
| Navy blue (#000080) | 16.0:1 | Fine |
| Dark red (#8B0000) | 10.0:1 | Fine |
| Forest green (#228B22) | 4.4:1 | Warning: low contrast |
| Silver (#C0C0C0) | 1.8:1 | Critical: may not scan |
| Yellow (#FFFF00) | 1.1:1 | Critical: may not scan |
The forest green row is a trap. It looks dark enough on screen, but its ratio is 4.4:1, under the 4.5:1 line Print Optimizer checks against, so it still gets a low-contrast warning. Trust the number over your eye; the eye is often wrong about this.
What does error correction change?
Error correction lets a code still scan when part of it is scratched, dirty or covered by a small logo. Higher correction adds more redundancy, which also makes the code denser. For small prints, keep the code clean; for a large print in a public place, use a higher level.
You can also place a small image, emoji or text in the middle of the code. The Print Optimizer warns that a center logo can hurt scanning at small sizes, so test it with Test Scan.
Common mistakes
- Inverting the colors (light squares on a dark background). Many scanners handle it, some do not.
- Skipping the test scan. A code that looks fine on screen can fail on glossy paper or in dim light.
- Printing the code from the original long link instead of the short one, which makes it larger than it needs to be.
- Putting the code too close to the edge of a card. Leave a clear margin around it.
Questions and answers
How do I get the QR code on my iPhone for a website?
Can I make a QR code without shortening the link?
Does the QR code stop working if I delete the app?
Can I get the link back from a QR code on my iPhone?
You might also like
More URL Short guides
- How to shorten a URL on iPhone for free, without signing up
- What size should a QR code be on a business card, flyer or poster?
- How to shorten multiple URLs at once on iPhone and iPad
- How to give a short link a custom name (custom alias)
- How to check if a short link is still working (and why it breaks)
- Can I see how many clicks my short link got?
- How do I make printable QR code stickers?
- How do I make a QR code for a restaurant menu?
- How do I make a free WhatsApp Business QR code that opens a chat?
- All questions about URL Short
- Back to URL Short