Need to make a QR Code for a link? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re sharing a menu, promoting a product, or sending people to a sign-up form, Bitly makes it easy to turn any URL into a custom, scannable code.
But with Bitly, you get more than just two-dimensional barcodes. You can customize your code’s design, add your branding, and track every scan to see what’s working—all from one simple platform that scales with your needs.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to create QR Codes in minutes and how to get more out of every one you make.
Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.
What is a Bitly QR Code?
A Bitly Code is more than just a scannable symbol. Unlike generic QR Codes, Bitly Codes are connected to short links that you can brand, customize, and track within one platform. And there’s no need for a special QR Code reader. Anyone with a mobile device or tablet can scan and go.
Bitly Codes can point to any online destination you choose, like a product page, event sign-up, or restaurant menu. You can also link to a Bitly Page, which is a mobile-optimized landing page created with Bitly’s no-code builder. Just pick from our library of templates, customize the look and feel, and add the links or content you want to feature.
That’s what your audience sees. Behind the scenes, every Bitly Code connects to the Bitly Analytics dashboard, giving you real-time insights into how people engage with your codes. Depending on your plan, you can track metrics like:
- Total number of scans
- Scans by day
- Location (city and country)
- Referrer
- Browser
- Operating system (iOS, Android)
These insights help you understand which QR Code placements drive the most engagement, allowing you to optimize future campaigns.
How to create a QR Code in Bitly
Whether you’re making a QR Code for a website, digital business card, or event invitation, Bitly makes it easy. Here’s how to create a free QR Code with Bitly in just a few steps:
1. Sign up or sign in to your Bitly account
To get started, sign in to your existing Bitly account or sign up for a new one. You’ll need to log in to access Bitly’s QR Code tools.
2. Open the QR Code generator
Once you’re signed in, select Create new in the top left corner of your account. Then, select QR Code to start building your custom QR Code.
3. Add the destination link
Paste the destination URL you want your QR Code to point to in the designated field. It has to be a valid webpage or online link—Bitly Codes can only direct to URLs.
That said, your destination doesn’t have to be a standard webpage. It could be a video, an online PDF, a social media profile, or even your app store download page. If you have multiple destinations to share, consider linking to a Bitly Page that houses all your content in one place.
Bonus tip: You’ll also see the option to customize the back half of your short link. It’s optional for a one-off use case, but if you’re using QR Codes professionally, adding your brand or campaign name builds trust and credibility. With certain paid plans, you can even swap out the Bitly domain for your own. For example: yourbrand.shop/WinterLaunch.
4. Customize your QR Code design
Now for the fun part: designing your QR Code image. Depending on your plan’s features, you can choose your code’s color, select a pattern style and frame that fits your brand, and even add your logo. These customizations help your QR Code stand out while still staying scannable, and they’re a great way to reinforce brand recognition wherever your code appears.
5. Generate and download your QR Code
Once you’re happy with the design, select Create your code, and Download or Copy it. PNG is the default format, but you can also choose JPEG or SVG, depending on where and how you plan to use your new QR Code.
Tip: Always scan QR Codes on both Android and iOS devices to make sure they scan correctly and lead to the intended destination URL.
How to make your QR Codes stand out
When you picture a QR Code, you probably imagine a pixelated black-and-white square. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With Bitly, your QR Codes can be high-resolution, brand-ready assets—complete with custom colors, frames, and imagery that reflect your visual identity.
Of course, designs should never come at the expense of functionality. A QR Code that looks great but doesn’t scan? Not helpful. That’s why our Creative Director, Vicente Casellas, put together this tutorial on how to balance design with performance.
Can’t watch right now? Here are the key takeaways:
- Strive for visual harmony: Arrange your design so the most important details stand out. Use font sizes, typography, and layout to guide the eye, and leave enough space around your QR Code so it’s easy to find and scan. When in doubt, aim for clarity over clutter.
- Keep contrast and context in mind: Use high-contrast colors (like dark codes on light backgrounds) to maintain visibility and scannability. Place your code in a prominent spot with plenty of space around it.
- Provide a clear call to action (CTA): Let people know what they’ll get when they scan, like “Save the date,” “Shop now,” or “Get 20% off.”
- Incorporate your brand colors and logo: Customizing your QR Code with brand elements helps build recognition and trust while keeping your design consistent.
- Keep it square: QR Codes should always stay in a square format. Stretching or distorting them can reduce scannability and resolution across platforms.
Why choose Bitly for your QR Code marketing
One of the biggest benefits of using Bitly is that it goes beyond just creating a QR Code. With the Bitly Connections Platform, you can create, manage, and track all your short links, codes, and landing pages in one place.
Not sure which plan is for you? Below, we’ve broken down the key features of each option so you can choose the best fit for your needs.
Free plan
If you only need to create one or two free Dynamic QR Codes per month, the Free plan is a solid place to start. You’ll get light customization options, the ability to create up to five short links a month, three custom back-halves, and two Bitly Pages. Just note that this plan doesn’t include access to advanced analytics, so it’s best suited for personal use or to get a feel for the platform before upgrading.
Core plan
The Core plan is a great option for small businesses that are just getting started with short links and Quick Response Code marketing. It includes five high-quality QR Codes per month, advanced customization options, and 30 days of click and scan data. You’ll also get up to 100 short links each month, multiple Bitly Pages, and access to a UTM builder to track campaign performance. Plus, you’ll be able to redirect your links and QR Codes, so you can adjust campaigns in real time without printing a new code.
Growth
For established marketing teams and small businesses, the Growth plan is a smart next step. It includes up to 10 Bitly Codes per month (with unlimited customization options) and 500 short links. You’ll also get access to four months of analytics, making it easy to track campaign effectiveness over time. Plus, this plan unlocks branded links, a custom domain, and the ability to generate links and QR Codes in bulk.
Premium
The Premium plan is ideal for marketing teams that want advanced features and full visibility across all their links and QR Codes. You’ll get a complete view of performance, including location and device data, referral sources, and up to one year of engagement history. This plan also includes up to 200 QR Codes and 3,000 short links per month, making it a powerful choice for teams running high-volume or data-driven campaigns.
Enterprise
The Enterprise plan unlocks the most advanced capabilities Bitly has to offer. Along with everything included in the Premium plan, you’ll get access to dedicated account support, tailored group permissions, and a custom number of QR Codes links, and landing pages. It’s built for larger teams that want to scale their QR Code strategy, centralize workflows, and get the most out of the Bitly Connections Platform.
Take your QR Codes further with Bitly
Bitly isn’t just a QR Code generator. It’s a full suite of tools for customizing, branding, and tracking every code you create. Whether you’re running a campaign, sharing resources, or updating product packaging, Bitly makes it easy to generate QR Codes that feel like an extension of your brand.
With the right Bitly plan, you can unlock editable codes, advanced design options, and powerful analytics to track performance over time. You’ll know exactly how your codes are performing—when they’re scanned, where they’re accessed, and who’s engaging—so you can keep optimizing your strategy and driving results.
Ready to get started? Choose your Bitly plan and take your QR Code marketing to the next level.
