Static vs Dynamic QR Code | Differences & Examples

The terms static QR code and dynamic QR code make it sound like they’re two different kinds of codes, but they’re not. The difference lies in the type of URL you’re sent to when you scan the code.

• A static QR code takes you straight to the link stored in the QR code’s data.
• A dynamic QR code takes you first to an intermediary link (the one stored in the code), which then redirects you to another link that the code creator can change at any time.

What is a dynamic QR code?

A dynamic QR code works just like a static QR code, but with two key advantages: it can be “edited” after it’s created, and it can be tracked.

Instead of taking the user straight to the final link, a dynamic QR code sends them first through a redirect service. This service lets you update the target link (or other QR code data) at any time without changing the printed code. The user won’t notice the extra step, but it gives the code creator flexibility to update the QR content at any time in the future.

Dynamic QR codes also enable analytics, such as tracking the number of scans, when they happen, and where they come from.

Static vs dynamic QR codes

Dynamic QR codes require an internet connection because they contain a link to a redirect service. The service then forwards the user to the most up-to-date content defined by the code creator. This makes them unsuitable for situations where users may not have internet access (e.g., airplanes or underground facilities) or for sharing Wi-Fi login details. Here, it’s generally best to go with a static QR code.

Choose a dynamic QR code when your target users are likely to be online and you want to:

• Collect data such as the time, location, and number of scans for marketing purposes
• Quickly update the QR code’s destination without needing to change a webpage or reprint the code

Frequently asked questions about static vs dynamic QR codes

How do you create a QR code for a Google form?

To create a QR code for a Google form, copy the “responder link” and paste it into a QR code generator, such as QuillBot’s free QR code generator.

You can access the responder link by clicking the “Copy responder link” button that appears when you click on “Publish” or by clicking on the link icon in the top-right menu bar.

What is an online QR code?

An online QR code is another term for a “dynamic QR code.”

When you scan one, your phone first opens an intermediary link managed by a redirect service. That link then forwards you to the most up-to-date content or action defined by the QR code’s creator.

It’s called an online QR code because you need an internet connection for it to work. Some QR code content—such as Wi-Fi login details—needs to be available offline, so it must be stored in a “static QR code,” where all the information is directly contained in the code itself.

Why not use QuillBot’s free QR code generator to create a QR code for your WiFi details or personal webpage?