About the YouTube QR Code Generator
A YouTube QR code takes people from a poster, business card or merch straight to your channel or video, no searching required. The URL field already starts with https://www.youtube.com/@, so you just add your handle; or replace it with any video link.
The code is a static QR code that stores the URL in the image itself: no expiry, no scan limit, no sign-up. It is generated in your browser and nothing is uploaded.
How to use
- Open your channel in the YouTube app and find your handle under the channel name (it starts with @), e.g.
@spacenode. - Add it after
https://www.youtube.com/@in the Website URL field, without a second @:https://www.youtube.com/@spacenode. - For a single video, tap Share โ Copy link and paste the whole
https://youtu.be/โฆaddress into the field. - Open Design to use your channel colors and put your channel icon in the center. Error correction is raised to High automatically with a logo.
- Click Download PNG, or Download SVG for the print shop, and test-scan it with your phone before printing.
Which YouTube link to use
| Goal | URL to enter |
|---|---|
| Channel home | https://www.youtube.com/@spacenode |
| Subscribe confirmation | https://www.youtube.com/@spacenode?sub_confirmation=1 |
| Video | https://youtu.be/VIDEO_ID |
| Video at 1:30 | https://youtu.be/VIDEO_ID?t=90 |
| Short | https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VIDEO_ID |
| Playlist | https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAYLIST_ID |
- Adding ?sub_confirmation=1 to a channel URL opens a โSubscribe to this channel?โ prompt. It works best in a browser; if the link opens in the YouTube app, it may just show the channel.
- For a start time, tick Start at in the share dialog and YouTube adds
?t=seconds for you. If the URL already contains?, append&t=90instead. - The
?si=โฆat the end of share links is a tracking value. Remove it and the video still opens, and the QR code gets less dense.
Posters, merch and on-screen QR codes
- Say what the code opens: โScan for the new music videoโ or โScan to subscribeโ gets far more scans than a bare code.
- Print at least 2 cm (0.8 in) on business cards, 3 cm (1.2 in) on counters and tables, and one tenth of the scanning distance on posters.
- On T-shirts and tote bags, place the code on a flat area that wonโt fold, print it large, and give the printer the SVG so it stays sharp.
- Many viewers watch YouTube on a TV. A QR code in your end screen or in the corner of a live stream lets them jump to your merch or membership page on their phone.
- Changing your handle breaks codes that use it. If that might happen, use your permanent
youtube.com/channel/UCโฆURL, which you can find under Settings โ Advanced settings.
FAQ
Does a YouTube QR code expire?
No. Itโs a static code with the URL inside the image, so it works forever, regardless of this site. It only breaks if the video is deleted or made private, or if you change your handle.
Will it open the YouTube app?
On most phones with YouTube installed, yes. Otherwise it opens in the browser.
Can I make a QR code that subscribes people?
Add ?sub_confirmation=1 to your channel URL. Viewers see a confirmation prompt and still have to tap Subscribe. In the app the prompt may not appear and the channel opens instead.
How do I start a video at a specific time?
Add ?t= and the number of seconds, e.g. https://youtu.be/VIDEO_ID?t=90 for 1:30. If the link already has a ?, use &t=90.
Can I track scans?
Static codes donโt count scans. In YouTube Studio Analytics, check traffic sources for direct or unknown and external traffic to gauge the effect.