Canva QR Code Generator: How to Use It (and When to Use Something Else)
The Canva QR code generator is free on every plan and makes both static and dynamic codes. Here is exactly how it works, and where it stops.
The Canva QR code generator is built into the Canva editor and is free to use with any Canva plan, including the free one. It is genuinely capable: Canva makes both static codes and dynamic codes whose link you can update later without reprinting. Two things are worth knowing before you commit a print run to it. Dynamic codes on the Free, Pro and Education plans carry the Canva logo by default, and scan Insights are limited to Canva Business and Enterprise. If neither matters to you, Canva is a fine choice and this page will just show you how to use it.
How to make a QR code in Canva
The generator lives inside the editor rather than as a separate tool, which is why it is easy to miss. Canva offers a static and a dynamic option at the same step.
- 1
Open your design in the Canva editor, then go to Elements and search for "QR code".
- 2
A banner appears with two options: Create static and Create dynamic. Static bakes the link in permanently; dynamic lets you change the destination later.
- 3
Enter your URL, customise the design, then select Generate code.
- 4
The code drops onto your canvas as an element - drag, resize and position it, then export the design.
- 5
To change a dynamic code later, select Edit QR code from the toolbar, update the URL field and select Save.
QRmkr vs Canva at a glance
| Feature | QRmkr | Canva |
|---|---|---|
| Free to use | Free forever, never expire | Free with any Canva plan, including Free[1] |
| Static codes | Unlimited, free forever | Yes - link cannot be changed after creation[2] |
| Dynamic (editable) codes | Yes - 1 free, unlimited on Pro at $12/mo | Yes - edit the link anytime, on all plans[2] |
| Logo on the code | Never - no watermark on any tier | Canva logo on dynamic codes on Free, Pro and Education; removable on Business/Enterprise[2] |
| Scan analytics | Real-time scans: time, device, location | Insights on Canva Business, Enterprise and Nonprofit only[2] |
| Code expiry | Never | Codes are valid forever[1] |
| Graphic design tools | Code styling + logo only | Full design suite[1] |
| Native mobile app | No - web only | Yes[1] |
| Extra subscription | Separate $12/mo for unlimited dynamic codes | None - included in a plan you likely already pay for[1] |
QRmkr details match our pricing page. Canva claims are cited to Canva's own pages, last checked 2026-08-21. Products change - follow the links to confirm. Where Canva does not document a capability we say so rather than assert it is absent.
Sources
Every claim about Canva above comes from Canva's own documentation, read on 2026-08-21.
Make a QR code right here, free
No sign-up, no email, no watermark. Pick a type, paste your link, and download it as a PNG or SVG - the code never expires.
Design & brandingcolors · logo · frames
Center logos use 30% error correction so the code still scans.
Want to edit or track this?
This makes a static code (permanent). Create a free account for dynamic codes you can edit after printing, with scan analytics.
Make it dynamic →Free forever · No watermark · Never expires
Or make it art. Same code, still scans.
Animated
When Canva is the better pick
Anyone already designing in Canva who wants the code inside the layout, and who is either fine with the Canva logo on a dynamic code or already on Business or Enterprise. If you are paying for Canva anyway, its generator costs you nothing extra.
When QRmkr is the better pick
People who need an unbranded code on every tier, or scan analytics without an enterprise plan, or who are not Canva users at all and do not want a design subscription just to make a QR code.
Why teams pick QRmkr
No logo on any tier
Every QRmkr code is watermark-free, free plan included. Canva puts its own logo on dynamic codes below Business.
Analytics without an enterprise plan
Scan data by time, device and location is part of Pro at $12/month rather than a Business-tier feature.
Use them together
Generate the code here, download the SVG, and drop it into your Canva design like any other image.
Looking for a Canva alternative?
QRmkr is a focused Canva alternative for businesses that print: create a free code, upgrade to a dynamic one you can edit after printing, and watch every scan roll in. Canva's generator is better than its reputation - it does dynamic codes and they are editable on every plan. Choose it if you are already in Canva and the logo on dynamic codes does not bother you. Choose QRmkr if you need an unbranded code or scan data without an enterprise plan.
FAQ
Can Canva make dynamic QR codes?
Yes. Canva offers both static and dynamic codes - choose Create dynamic when you insert one, and you can edit the destination later from the toolbar. Note that dynamic codes on the Free, Pro and Education plans include the Canva logo by default.
Is the Canva QR code generator free?
Yes, it is free to use with any Canva plan including the free one, and Canva states the codes are valid forever.
Can I see how many people scanned my Canva QR code?
Only on Canva Business, Enterprise or Nonprofit - scan Insights are not available on the Free, Pro or Education plans.
Can I use a QRmkr code inside Canva?
Yes. Download your code as a PNG or SVG and place it into any Canva design like any other image.
Can I change where the QR code points after printing?
Yes - with a dynamic QR code. It encodes a short redirect link, so you can update the destination anytime from your dashboard and every printed copy instantly points to the new URL. Static codes encode the destination directly and can't be changed.
Do these QR codes expire?
No. Static QR codes are free forever and never expire - they encode your destination directly and don't depend on our servers. Dynamic codes keep working as long as your account is active, and you can pause or re-point them whenever you like.
Can I track how many people scan it?
Yes. Dynamic QR codes come with real-time scan analytics: total scans plus device, location, and time-of-day breakdowns, so you can see exactly which placement is working. Scan tracking is part of the Pro plan.
Is there a watermark on the QR code?
No. Every QR code you create - free or paid - is watermark-free and downloadable as a crisp PNG or scalable SVG, ready for print at any size.
Do I need an app to scan the code?
No. Every modern iPhone and Android camera scans QR codes natively - just point the camera at the code and tap the link that appears. No special app required.
What's the difference between a static and a dynamic QR code?
A static code encodes your destination directly into the pattern, so it works forever without any server but can never be changed. A dynamic code encodes a short redirect we host, so the printed pattern stays the same while you edit where it goes - and every scan gets logged.
How small can I print a QR code?
As a rule of thumb a code scans from about ten times its own width, so a 2 x 2 cm code reads comfortably at arm's length. Keep dark modules on a light background, leave a clear white margin around the code, and test-scan the final print before you order a run.
Can I put my logo in the middle of the code?
Yes, on Pro. QR codes carry enough error correction to survive a logo in the centre, and the design studio previews scannability as you go so you can see when a logo is getting too large.
What happens to my codes if I stop paying?
Your static codes are unaffected - they never depended on our servers in the first place. Dynamic codes rely on the redirect layer, so plan printed campaigns with that in mind.
Is it really free to start?
Yes. Unlimited static QR codes cost nothing, need no card, and carry no watermark, and they never expire. Editable destinations and scan analytics need a dynamic code, which is part of Pro at $12/month.
Before you print it
If the code you are about to print may ever need to point somewhere else, create it as a dynamic QR code you can edit after printing. The printed pattern never changes; only the destination behind it does. It also means you can track every scan by day, device, and location and see which placement actually worked.
Try QRmkr free - no card required
Create a code in seconds. Make it dynamic to edit anytime and track every scan.
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