Why a menu code must never expire
A menu code is printed hundreds of times: table cards, stickers, windows, takeaway bags. Many QR services give you a dynamic code that sends guests through their own server. When the trial ends or the plan is not renewed, they switch the forwarding off — and every table in the room shows guests an error page instead of your menu.
The code made here is static: your menu’s address is written into the squares themselves. There is no server in between and nothing to renew, so the code works for as long as your menu page does.
Change the menu, keep the code
Point the code at a page you own — yourrestaurant.com/menu — and update that page when the prices or the dishes change. The printed code never needs to change. A PDF works too, as long as you replace the file at the same address.
Print tips
- At least 3 cm (1.2 inch) wide on table cards; bigger on windows and walls.
- Dark code on a light background, matte rather than glossy — glare under lamps stops cameras.
- Write the address in words under the code, for guests whose camera won’t cooperate.
- Add your guest Wi-Fi to the same card: Wi-Fi QR code.
Questions
Can I update the menu without reprinting the code?
Yes, if the code points at a page you can edit: change the page, and every printed code shows the new menu. For a PDF, upload the new file in place of the old one so the address stays the same — most website builders and cloud drives can do that.
Should the menu be a web page or a PDF?
A web page reads better on a phone: it fits the screen and loads fast. A PDF is fine if it is small and readable without zooming — one column, large text.
Will the code stop working if I stop paying?
There is nothing to pay. The code holds your menu’s address directly, so it works as long as that address does — whatever happens to this website.
Can I count how many guests scan it?
A static code does not count scans by itself. Your website’s own statistics can: add a marker to the link, such as yourrestaurant.com/menu?from=table, and count the visits that carry it.
Do these QR codes expire?
No. These are static codes: the content is stored in the black and white squares themselves, not on a server. Nobody can switch them off — not us, not anyone. They work as long as the link or text inside them is valid.
Is it really free? What’s the catch?
It is free, without limits, for personal and business use. No account, no watermark, no limit on scans. Making a static code costs us nothing, because your browser does all the work.
Why do other QR codes stop working?
Many generators give you a “dynamic” code that points to their own server, which then forwards people to your link. When the trial ends or you stop paying, they switch the forwarding off and every printed code stops working. Some charge a fee to turn it back on. Read what to do if it happened to you.
Do you see or store what I put in the code?
No. The code is generated in your browser and nothing you type is sent anywhere. The page works even with the internet switched off once it has loaded.
How big should I print it?
At least 2 cm (0.8 inch) wide for something held in the hand, like a business card or a menu. As a rule, the code should be a tenth of the distance it is scanned from: 20 cm (8 inches) for a poster read from 2 metres. Keep the white margin around it.
Which format should I download?
PDF or SVG for print — they are vector files and stay sharp at any size. PNG for websites, documents and messages.