Free · No sign-up · YouTube, Vimeo, Drive and more

Video QR code generator

Link printed things to a video: a product demo on the box, a message in a card, a tour on a sign. Paste the video’s link and download a print-ready QR code.

1Enter your Video details

A YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive or Dropbox link, or a video on your own website. Make sure anyone with the link can watch it.

2Customize colors

Presets

Error correction

Medium — still scans with ~15% damage.

4 is the recommended quiet zone.

How it works

How to make a video QR code

  1. 1

    Upload your video

    To YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, Dropbox or your own site. On Drive and Dropbox, set sharing to “Anyone with the link”.

  2. 2

    Paste the link

    Copy the share link and paste it above. Shorter links make simpler codes.

  3. 3

    Test on mobile data

    Scan with a phone that isn’t signed in to your accounts, to check anyone can watch it.

Generated entirely in your browser — nothing you type is uploaded.

Where should the video live?

A QR code holds a link, not the video itself, so the video needs a home online. YouTube is the most reliable on phones and the YouTube app opens it directly; use an “Unlisted” video if it shouldn’t appear in search. Vimeo has fewer distractions and no ads on your video.

Google Drive and Dropbox work for private, personal videos, such as a wedding message or training clip, as long as sharing is set to “Anyone with the link”. Large files may take a moment to start on mobile data.

Make it play well on phones

Everyone who scans is on a phone, often standing up. Keep videos short, put the point in the first seconds, and add captions so it works with the sound off. Vertical or square video fills a phone screen better than widescreen.

Use cases

Ways to use video QR codes

  • Product packaging

    Unboxing, setup and recipe videos printed on the box.

  • Manuals and repairs

    A 60-second fix video instead of a page of diagrams.

  • Cards and gifts

    A personal video message inside a birthday or wedding card.

  • Real estate

    A walk-through tour on the For Sale board.

  • Classrooms

    Lessons and demonstrations linked from worksheets.

  • Posters and ads

    The trailer or the full story behind a print campaign.

Best practices

Tips for video QR codes

  • Say how long it is

    “Scan for the 1-minute setup video” sets expectations and gets more scans.

  • Check the sharing settings

    Private Drive and Dropbox links are the most common reason a video code fails.

  • Add captions

    Many people watch in public with the sound off.

  • Use a dynamic code for packaging

    Products outlive videos; a dynamic code lets you update the link.

Static or dynamic?

Videos change. Printed codes don’t have to

A static code is tied to one link. If the video is deleted or you make a better one, every printed box and poster points at the old link. A dynamic code lets you swap the video in seconds and shows how many people scanned each placement.

  • Free static video code
  • Swap the video without reprinting
  • Scan analytics by day, location and device

FAQ

Video QR code questions

Yes. No sign-up, no watermark, and static codes never expire.

No QR code can hold a video file; it holds a link to where the video is online. Upload the video to YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, Dropbox or your website first.

The file is private. In Google Drive, open Share and set General access to “Anyone with the link”.

Not with a static code. A dynamic QR-10 code lets you point the same printed code at a new video anytime.

See how many people watch from print.

Create a free account for dynamic video codes with scan analytics. Swap the video anytime.