CSS - QR Code

Ethan D. - May 31, 2024

Generating QR Codes with CSS

CSS offers a way to create QR codes directly in your web pages without relying on external libraries or images. By using a combination of HTML elements and CSS styles, you can generate QR codes that are customizable and easy to integrate into your website's design.

One of the main advantages of using CSS for QR code generation is the flexibility it provides. With CSS, you have control over the appearance of the QR code, including its size, color, and even the inclusion of logos or images. This allows you to create QR codes that match your website's branding and aesthetic.

Another benefit of CSS-generated QR codes is that they are resolution-independent. Since the QR code is created using CSS styles, it will scale across different screen sizes and devices without losing quality or readability. This is important in today's mobile-first web landscape, where users access websites from a variety of devices with varying screen resolutions.

Setting up the HTML Structure

To create a QR code with CSS, you first need to set up the HTML structure. The QR code will be composed of a grid of elements, each representing a module in the QR code pattern. You can use a combination of <div> elements to create this grid.

Start by creating a container element that will hold the QR code. Give it a class name like qr-code for easy styling. Inside the container, create a grid of <div> elements representing the QR code modules. Each <div> should have a class name like qr-module to apply styles consistently.

Example: HTML Structure for QR Code

<div class="qr-code">
  <div class="qr-module"></div>
  <div class="qr-module"></div>
  <!-- More QR code modules -->
</div>

Creating the CSS Styles

With the HTML structure in place, you can now define the CSS styles to shape the QR code. Start by setting the size and shape of the QR code container. Use a fixed size or make it responsive using relative units like em or rem.

Next, style the QR code modules. Set their size to create the desired module size and add a background color to make them visible. You can use a class name like filled to represent the dark modules in the QR code pattern.

Example: CSS Styles for QR Code

.qr-code {
  width: 200px;
  height: 200px;
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(33, 1fr);
  grid-template-rows: repeat(33, 1fr);
}

.qr-module {
  background-color: #ffffff;
}

.qr-module.filled {
  background-color: #000000;
}

Customizing the QR Code Design

One of the great advantages of using CSS for QR code generation is the ability to customize the design. You can change the colors of the QR code modules by modifying the background color of the filled class. You can apply different color patterns or gradients to create visually appealing QR codes.

To add a logo or image to the center of the QR code, you can position an <img> element within the QR code container using CSS positioning techniques like absolute positioning.

You can make the QR code responsive and adaptable to different screen sizes by using CSS media queries. Adjust the size and spacing of the QR code modules based on the screen width to ensure optimal readability on various devices.

Example: Customizing QR Code Design

.qr-code {
  /* Other styles */
  position: relative;
}

.qr-module.filled {
  background-color: #ff0000;
}

.qr-code img {
  position: absolute;
  top: 50%;
  left: 50%;
  transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
  width: 50px;
  height: 50px;
}

@media screen and (max-width: 600px) {
  .qr-code {
    width: 150px;
    height: 150px;
  }
}

By following these techniques, you can create visually appealing and functional QR codes using CSS. CSS provides a flexible and customizable approach to QR code generation, allowing you to integrate them into your website's design.

Scanning and Testing QR Codes

Once you have generated a QR code using CSS, it is important to test it to make sure it scans properly and links to the correct destination. Testing the QR code confirms its functionality and reliability.

To test the generated QR code, you can use various tools and apps for scanning QR codes. Most smartphones have built-in QR code scanners within their camera apps, making it convenient to test the code on your mobile device. Open the camera app and point it at the QR code displayed on your computer screen or a printed version of the code.

If the QR code is generated correctly, the scanner should read it and display the encoded information or go to the linked destination. This could be a website URL, contact information, or any other data you have encoded into the QR code.

In addition to the built-in scanner in camera apps, there are also QR code scanning apps for both iOS and Android devices. These apps provide more features and options, such as the ability to save scanned QR codes, view scan history, and create QR codes within the app.

Some popular QR code scanning apps include:

App Name	Platform
QR Code Reader	iOS and Android
QR Scanner	iOS
QR & Barcode Scanner	Android

When testing the QR code, verify that it links to the correct destination. If the QR code is meant to open a specific website URL, make sure that the scanner directs you to the intended web page. Double-check the URL and confirm that it matches the expected destination.

If the QR code is designed to provide other types of information, such as contact details or plain text, verify that the scanned data matches the intended content. This helps ensure that the QR code is working as expected and providing accurate information to users.

It is also a good practice to test the QR code on different devices and scanners to ensure compatibility and reliability. Try scanning the code with various smartphone models and QR code scanning apps to confirm that it works consistently across different platforms.

By testing the generated QR code, you can have confidence that it will work as intended when users scan it. Regular testing and verification help maintain the integrity and usefulness of your CSS-generated QR codes.