Best Practices for Designing QR Codes with Text
Sally Wright
Mar 10, 2025
QR codes make it easy to share information with a quick scan. While many QR codes send users to a website, they can also be used to share text, instructions, promotional messages, contact information, and other short pieces of content.
The term “QR code with text” can refer to two things. It can mean a QR code that contains text within its encoded data, or a QR code that has text displayed next to it to tell users what to do. Both approaches can make a QR code easier to understand and use.
Whether you are creating a QR code for a promotion, event, product, restaurant, or business, the goal is the same: make the code useful, easy to scan, and clear about what happens next.
In this guide, we'll cover how QR codes with text work, how to create one, how much text to use, and the best practices for designing and testing your code.
TL;DR
- QR codes can contain short text or direct users to text-based online content.
- Keep encoded text concise to avoid unnecessarily complex QR codes.
- Add a clear call-to-action so users know what to expect after scanning.
- Use strong contrast and leave enough space around the QR code.
- Test your QR code on different phones and in its final printed or displayed format.
- Customize colors, logos, frames, and other elements without compromising scannability.
- Use dynamic QR codes when you need to update content or track scan activity.
What Is a QR Code With Text?
A QR code with text can store a text message that users can access after scanning. For example, a business could create a QR code that displays a short instruction, coupon message, contact detail, or other useful information.
Text can also be placed around the QR code. A simple message such as “Scan for 20% off” or “Scan to view the menu” gives users context before they scan.
These two uses are slightly different. When text is encoded into the QR code, the scanner reads the information stored in the code. When text is placed beside the code, it acts as a call-to-action or explanation.
Understanding the difference helps you choose the right format for your campaign.
How Do QR Codes With Text Work?
When text is encoded into a QR code, the information is converted into a pattern that a smartphone camera or QR scanner can read.
After scanning, the phone interprets the encoded data and displays the available content. If you are using a QR code to share a longer message, however, displaying that information directly may not always provide the best experience.
For longer content, a QR code can instead send users to a webpage, document, or other online destination. This keeps the QR code practical while giving users access to more information.
How Much Text Can a QR Code Contain?
QR codes can store text, but that doesn't mean you should fill one with a long message.
The more information you encode, the more complex the QR pattern can become. A dense QR code may require more space and can be less forgiving when printed at a small size or scanned under less-than-ideal conditions.
For that reason, keep text inside the QR code short and useful. For example:
- “Thank you for visiting us!”
- “Use code SAVE20 for 20% off.”
- “Wi-Fi password: Welcome123”
- “Meeting starts at 6 PM in Room 204.”
If users need several paragraphs of information, consider linking the QR code to a webpage or document instead.
How to Create a QR Code With Text
Creating a QR code with text doesn't have to be complicated. With QR Codes Unlimited, you can create a QR code and prepare it for use in marketing materials, packaging, signs, events, and other applications.
A simple process looks like this:
- Choose the appropriate QR code option.
- Enter your text or destination. Keep the message concise if the QR code will contain text directly.
- Customize the design. Add branding elements such as colors, a logo, or a call-to-action frame when appropriate.
- Generate the QR code.
- Test the code. Scan it with multiple devices before publishing or printing it.
If the information may need to change later, consider using a dynamic QR code. This can allow you to update the destination without replacing the printed QR code.
Keep Your Text Short and Clear
One of the simplest ways to improve a text QR code is to remove unnecessary words.
Think about what users actually need to know. If a short sentence communicates the same message as a paragraph, use the shorter version.
For example, instead of:
“Scan this QR code with your smartphone camera to receive a special discount that can be applied to your next purchase with us.”
Try:
“Scan for 20% off your next purchase.”
The second option is easier to understand and gets to the point immediately.
Add a Clear Call-to-Action
Users should not have to guess why they should scan your QR code.
A clear call-to-action tells them what they can expect. Instead of simply placing a QR code on a poster or business card, add a short instruction such as:
- Scan to view the menu
- Scan for event details
- Scan to get directions
- Scan for a special offer
- Scan to download the guide
- Scan to save our contact information
The CTA should match the content behind the QR code. If the code leads to a product page, tell users that. If it provides a discount, make the offer clear.
Make Your QR Code Easy to Scan
A creative QR code is only useful if people can scan it.
Avoid overcrowding the code with excessive graphics or design elements. Maintain strong contrast between the QR code and its background, and leave sufficient space around the code so scanners can identify its boundaries.
Size also matters. A QR code displayed on a large poster can generally be much larger than one printed on a business card. Consider where the code will be used and how far away users will be when scanning it.
Customize Your QR Code Without Sacrificing Functionality
QR codes don't have to look identical to one another. Businesses can incorporate branding through colors, logos, frames, and other design elements.
However, customization should always come after functionality.
Avoid combinations that make the QR pattern difficult to distinguish from its background. Be cautious when placing logos or artwork over the code, and always test the finished design before using it publicly.
A branded QR code should still look like something a phone can easily recognize and scan.
Test Your QR Code Before Publishing
Never assume that a QR code works simply because it was generated successfully.
Scan the finished code before printing thousands of copies or adding it to a marketing campaign. Test it on different smartphones and, when possible, under the conditions where customers will actually use it.
For printed materials, test the physical version rather than only the digital file. Check whether the code still scans from the expected distance and in the available lighting.
Also confirm that the destination or encoded text is correct. A small mistake can create a frustrating experience for users.
Should You Use a Static or Dynamic QR Code?
The right QR code type depends on how you plan to use it.
A static QR code contains information that generally remains fixed. It can work well when the content doesn't need to change.
A dynamic QR code can be more useful for campaigns where the destination may need to be updated. For example, a business could print one QR code on packaging and change the linked destination later without needing to reprint the packaging.
Dynamic QR codes can also provide scan analytics, depending on the platform and configuration. QR Codes Unlimited supports analytics such as scan activity, location, device, and time for supported dynamic QR codes.
Final Thoughts
QR codes with text can be a simple way to share information and guide users toward an action. Whether you're encoding a short message directly into a QR code or adding a CTA beside the code, clarity should come first.
Keep the content concise, make the code easy to scan, test it before use, and customize it carefully to match your brand. If you expect the destination to change or want to measure scan activity, a dynamic QR code can provide additional flexibility.
Ready to create your own QR code? Try QR Codes Unlimited to generate and customize QR codes for your business, campaign, event, or personal projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a QR code with text?
A QR code with text can refer to a QR code that stores a text message or one displayed alongside written instructions or a call-to-action. The right option depends on what you want users to see after scanning.
2. Can a QR code contain text?
Yes. A QR code can encode text that can be accessed after scanning. For longer information, linking to a webpage or document may provide a more convenient experience.
3. How much text can a QR code contain?
A QR code can store text, but longer content generally creates a more complex QR pattern. Keeping the encoded message concise can make the code easier to use and scan.
4. Can I customize a QR code with text?
Yes. You can customize a QR code with branding elements such as colors, logos, frames, and calls-to-action, as long as the final design remains clear and scannable.
5. Can I track scans from a QR code?
Dynamic QR codes can provide scan analytics, depending on the platform and setup. With supported QR Codes Unlimited dynamic codes, you can view information such as scan activity, location, device, and time.
