If you are about to print a QR code on a flyer, menu or product box, the first decision is simple: static or dynamic? The choice affects whether you can edit the link later, whether you can see scan statistics, and how easy the code is to scan.
What is a static QR code?
A static QR code stores your content directly inside the pattern. A website QR code holds the full URL. A WiFi QR code holds the network name and password.
Because the data is "baked in", a static code:
- Works forever, with no account or server needed
- Cannot be edited after it is printed
- Gives you no scan statistics
- Gets denser (more small squares) as the content gets longer
Static codes are perfect for content that will never change, like your home WiFi password or a permanent link on product packaging.
What is a dynamic QR code?
A dynamic QR code stores a short redirect link instead of your final content. When someone scans it, our server sends them to the destination you chose — and you can change that destination at any time from your dashboard.
Tip: Printed 5,000 flyers with the wrong link? With a dynamic code you just update the URL in your dashboard. No reprint needed.
Dynamic codes also unlock hosted pages such as a digital menu, vCard, coupon or feedback form, because the content lives on a page we host for you rather than inside the code itself.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Static | Dynamic |
|---|---|---|
| Edit after printing | No | Yes |
| Scan tracking | No | Yes |
| Pattern stays simple | Depends on content length | Always (short link) |
| Hosted pages (menu, vCard, coupon) | No | Yes |
| Works without an account | Yes | Needs an active account |
Which one should you choose?
Choose static if…
- The content will never change (home WiFi, a fixed plain-text note)
- You do not need to know how many people scanned it
Choose dynamic if…
- You are running a marketing campaign and want to measure results
- You print on expensive material (packaging, signage, business cards)
- The link might change later — a seasonal menu, an event page, a promo
- You want to use a hosted page like a menu or vCard
How to create a dynamic QR code
- Sign up and open New QR in your dashboard.
- Pick a QR type, for example Website.
- Enter your link and customize the colors and logo.
- Download the code and print it.
- Change the destination or check scans any time from My QR codes.
Note: Always test-scan your printed QR code with two or three different phones before sending a large print job.
Frequently asked questions
Do dynamic QR codes expire?
A dynamic QR code keeps working as long as the code is active in your account. If you pause or delete it, scans will stop redirecting to your content.
Can I turn a static QR code into a dynamic one?
No. A static code stores the content inside the pattern, so it cannot be changed. You need to create a new dynamic code and print that one instead.
Are dynamic QR codes harder to scan?
Usually they are easier. A dynamic code stores a short link, so the pattern has fewer, larger squares than a static code that holds a long URL.
Written by Harsh
Practical guides from the My QR Code Generator team on QR marketing, design and analytics.