> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.getqr.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Custom QR codes

> Customize how your QR code looks and how it behaves when people scan it.

A custom QR code is styled with the **Custom designs** tools: shapes, colors, a frame and a logo. In the same step you can also set how the code behaves: protect it with a password, or schedule when it works.

## Before you start

* You need the Admin or Editor role.
* Add the content of your QR code first. See [Create your first QR code](/getting-started/first-qr-code).

## Customize the look

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the design step">
    In the builder, go to **Customize & Download** and stay on **Custom designs**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a frame">
    Click **Frame** and pick a frame under **Frame around the QR code**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the dot shape">
    Click **Customization** and pick a **QR shape**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the corner shapes">
    Pick a **Corner Square shape** and a **Corner Dot shape**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the colors">
    Set **QR Color**. With a frame, also set **QR Text**, **Text Color** and **Frame color**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a logo">
    Click **Logo**, then upload your logo or pick an icon under **Select a logo**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Shape options

| Setting | Options |
| - | - |
| **QR shape** | 6 dot styles: square, dots, rounded, classy, classy rounded and extra rounded. |
| **Corner Square shape** | 4 styles for the outer corner squares: square, rounded, dot and classy rounded. |
| **Corner Dot shape** | 5 styles for the dot inside each corner: square, dot, dots, rounded and classy. |

Each option is shown as a picture tile in the builder. Pick the one that matches the look you want.

## Set how the code behaves

<Steps>
  <Step title="Protect it with a password (optional)">
    Click **Password**, turn on **Enable password**, then fill in **Create password** and **Confirm password**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Schedule it (optional)">
    Click **Schedule** and choose when the code activates, when it pauses, and an optional scan limit.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the QR code">
    Click **Create QR**, or **Save changes** if you're editing.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Behavior settings

| Setting | What it does |
| - | - |
| **Enable password** | People must enter the password before the content opens. 4 to 64 characters. |
| **Activate immediately** | The code works as soon as you save. |
| **Activate on a date** | The code stays inactive until **Activation date & time**. |
| **No auto end date** | The code works until you pause it. |
| **Pause on a date** | The code pauses automatically at **Pause date & time**. |
| **No scan limit** | Accepts an unlimited number of scans. |
| **Pause after a scan limit** | The code pauses once it reaches **Maximum scans**. |

<Note>
  Password protection isn't available for WiFi QR codes.
</Note>

## More ways to control a QR code

* **Custom short link.** Choose the characters in your code's link on the **Create content** step. You can't change it after the QR code is created. See [Create a short link](/short-links/create-short-link).
* **Pause and resume.** Click **Pause** or **Activate** in the QR code's actions in your dashboard. See [Manage your QR codes](/getting-started/managing-qr-codes).
* **Change the content.** Edit where the code points at any time, without reprinting it. WiFi QR codes are the exception: they store the network details in the code itself.

- **Reuse the design.** Save your design as a template and apply it to other QR codes. See [Save a template](/templates/save-template).

## Use cases

* **Event tickets or offers:** activate on the launch date and pause when the event ends.
* **Limited giveaways:** pause after a set number of scans.
* **Internal documents:** protect the content with a password.

## Common issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Passwords do not match">
    **Create password** and **Confirm password** must be identical. Type both again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Password must be at least 4 characters">
    Use 4 to 64 characters.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The pause date must be after the activation date">
    Set **Pause date & time** later than **Activation date & time**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Scan limit must be at least 1">
    Set **Maximum scans** to 1 or more, or choose **No scan limit**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I can't see the Password chip">
    Password protection isn't available for WiFi QR codes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The code stopped working">
    Check the **Schedule** chip: the code may have reached its pause date or scan limit. You can also check whether it was paused in the dashboard.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## What's next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Colors" href="/design/colors" />

  <Card title="Add a logo" href="/design/logo" />

  <Card title="Create a short link" href="/short-links/create-short-link" />

  <Card title="Save a template" href="/templates/save-template" />
</CardGroup>


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