Static QR Codes
A static QR code encodes the destination directly into the image — once generated, the content is permanent. They are free, work without a server, and never expire.
The trade-off: static codes can't be edited after printing, and they don't track scans. If you need analytics or the ability to swap the destination, use a dynamic QR code instead.
- Link
- Encode any URL directly
- VCard
- Share contact information
- Wifi
- Connect to Wi-Fi instantly
- Pre-filled email drafts
- Text
- Plain text messages
- Phone
- One-tap phone calls
- SMS
- Pre-filled text messages
- Open WhatsApp chats
- Skype
- Start Skype calls
- Zoom
- Join Zoom meetings
- PayPal
- Quick PayPal payments
When to choose a static QR code
Static codes shine when the destination is fixed for life. Anything that changes (menus, campaigns, real-estate listings) should be a dynamic QR code so you can edit without reprinting.
Wi-Fi credentials
Print a static QR with your network name and password — guests scan once and connect. Works on iOS, Android, and most Windows laptops.
Read the Wi-Fi QR guide →vCard on business cards
Encode your name, phone, email, and LinkedIn into a single scan that lands directly in the other person's contacts app — no apps to install.
Read the vCard QR guide →Fixed payment links
PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo URLs rarely change. Print a static QR on receipts, donation jars, or tip jars and skip the redirect overhead.
How static QR codes work
Static QR codes encode the destination URL — or any text payload — directly into the black-and-white pattern. When a phone scans the code, it reads the URL from the image and opens it. No server is involved, which means the code keeps working forever as long as the destination URL stays online.
The downside: because the destination is baked into the image, there is no way to change it later, and no server to log scans. Both editing and tracking require a redirect layer — and that's exactly what dynamic QR codes provide.
Quick comparison
- Editable destination: Static no, dynamic yes.
- Scan tracking: Static no, dynamic yes.
- Cost: Static free, dynamic free tier + paid plans.
- Expires: Never for either — as long as the destination is online.
Static QR code FAQ
- What is a static QR code?
- A static QR code encodes the destination URL or payload directly into the black-and-white pattern. Once generated, the content is permanent — you cannot change it without printing a new code. Static codes never expire, do not require a server, and work forever.
- Are static QR codes free to use?
- Yes. QRDyno generates unlimited free static QR codes — no scan limits, no expiry, no watermark. You can download them as PNG or SVG and use them commercially.
- Can I track scans on a static QR code?
- No. Static QR codes bypass any tracking server — the phone reads the URL directly from the image. If you need scan analytics, location data, or device breakdowns, use a dynamic QR code instead.
- When should I use a static QR code instead of a dynamic one?
- Use static when the destination will never change — Wi-Fi credentials, vCard contact info on a business card, PayPal payment URLs, plain text payloads, or one-off event tickets.
- Do static QR codes expire?
- No. Because the destination is encoded directly into the image, there is no server that can shut down or expire the code. As long as the destination URL stays online, the QR code keeps working.
- What is the minimum size for a static QR code on print?
- 2 × 2 cm (0.8 × 0.8 inches) is the minimum for business cards. For posters scanned from one meter, use at least 10 × 10 cm. The 10× rule: scan distance divided by 10 equals the minimum code size.
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