> ## 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.

# Create your first QR code

> Create, design and download your first QR code in the GetQR builder, step by step.

The QR code builder takes you through three steps: choose a type, add your content, then design and create the code. This guide uses a Website QR code as the example; other types follow the same steps with a different form.

## Before you start

* A GetQR account with an active subscription or trial. See [Account and trial](/getting-started/account-and-trial).
* The Admin or Editor role. Viewers can't create QR codes.
* The content for your code, for example the web address you want people to open.

## Create the QR code

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the QR code builder">
    Click **Create QR** in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a QR code type">
    Click **Website**. The builder moves on to the content step as soon as you pick a type.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your content">
    In **Destination link**, paste the web address people should open when they scan. The **Preview** on the right shows what people will see after they scan.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name your QR code">
    Type a name in **Name your QR Code**. Only you and your team see it; it helps you find the code later. If you leave it empty, GetQR uses a default name such as "My Website QR Code".
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go to the design step">
    Click **Next**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a design style">
    Pick one of the three styles. You can switch later.

    * **Custom designs**: pick a frame, colors and corner style from presets.
    * **Branded designs**: upload a logo or image and GetQR rebuilds it as a scannable QR code.
    * **AI designs**: describe what you want and AI draws artwork around your code.

    For your first code, choose **Custom designs**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Customize the design">
    Use the tabs to change the look. The preview updates as you go.

    * **Frame**: add a frame and a caption such as "Scan me!".
    * **Customization**: change the QR shape, corner shapes and colors.
    * **Logo**: add your logo to the center of the code.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the QR code">
    Click **Create QR**. GetQR saves the code and takes you to **My QR Codes**, where the **Your QR is ready!** window opens.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download your QR code">
    In the **Your QR is ready!** window, choose a file format and size, then click **Download QR**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Scan the downloaded file with your phone before you print it, to check it opens the right page.
</Tip>

## Optional settings

The design step has two more tabs for controlling access. You can also set them later from **My QR Codes**.

| Tab | What it does |
| - | - |
| **Password** | Asks people for a password before they see your content. The password must be 4–64 characters. Not available for WiFi QR codes. |
| **Schedule** | Sets when the code goes live (**Activate on a date**), when it pauses (**Pause on a date**) and an optional scan limit (**Pause after a scan limit**). |

On the content step you can also turn on **Custom short link** to choose the characters in the link your code opens. You can't change it after the code is created. See [Create a short link](/short-links/create-short-link).

To reuse your design later, select **Save as template** under the preview before you click **Create QR**. See [Save a template](/templates/save-template).

## Download formats

| Format | Best for |
| - | - |
| **JPEG** | Sharing quickly. Solid background. |
| **PNG** | Best quality image. Transparent background. |
| **SVG** | Printing and editing. Transparent background. |
| **PDF** | A universal format to send or print. |
| **EPS** | High-quality print files. |

JPEG, PNG and EPS come in 1024, 2048 or 4096 px. Branded and AI designs download as JPEG or PNG at 1024 px, or as PDF. See [Formats and resolution](/downloads/formats-and-resolution).

## Common issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Next is disabled or I see “Please fill in all required fields correctly”">
    A required field is empty or invalid. Check the fields marked in red. For a Website QR code, make sure **Destination link** is a full web address.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I see “This link may be incorrect or lead to a broken page.”">
    GetQR checked your link and it looks wrong. Open it in your browser to make sure it loads, and fix any typos. You can change the link later without reprinting the code.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Next stays disabled after I turned on Custom short link">
    Click **Check availability** and wait for the link to show as available, or turn **Custom short link** off.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The QR code looks wrong on a dark background">
    PNG and SVG files have a transparent background. They can look wrong on a dark screen but print fine on light paper. Use JPEG if you need a solid background.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My logo was resized">
    Very wide or tall logos are adjusted so the code stays scannable. Check the preview, or upload a more square version of your logo.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I can't find Create QR">
    Viewers can't create QR codes. Ask your workspace Admin to change your role. If your subscription has ended, renew it first. See [Account and trial](/getting-started/account-and-trial).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## What's next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Manage your QR codes" href="/getting-started/managing-qr-codes" />

  <Card title="Explore QR code types" href="/qr-types/overview" />

  <Card title="Design your QR code" href="/design/overview" />

  <Card title="Print your QR code" href="/downloads/printing" />
</CardGroup>


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.