Free YouTube QR Code Generator
Send people straight to your channel or video — one scan to watch and subscribe, no searching.
Make my YouTube QR code →A YouTube QR code links the real world to your channel. Print it on merch, a flyer or a business card, drop it on an end-screen slide, and viewers scan to jump straight to your video or channel — where the Subscribe button is one tap away. No typing, no searching, no lost viewers.
How to create a YouTube QR code
- Copy your link — your channel (
youtube.com/@yourchannel) to grow subscribers, or a video (youtu.be/…) for one clip. Use the Share button to copy it. - Paste it into the Link generator above and your QR code appears instantly.
- Customize the colors, then download a crisp PNG — or SVG/4K for print, all free to make.
- Add it to thumbnails, merch, slides, flyers or cards.
Linking to a song rather than a video? A youtube.com link opens the video app. Use the YouTube Music QR code generator for a code that opens in the Music app instead.
Great for
- Creators — turn merch and packaging into subscribe magnets.
- End screens & slides — let a live or on-screen audience jump to the full video.
- Flyers & posters — link a printed promo to your trailer or tutorial.
- Business cards — show your work with a single scan.
Tips for a code that always scans
- Pick the right link: channel for subscribers, video for one clip.
- Add a caption: "Scan to watch on YouTube".
- Keep strong contrast and leave a white margin around the code.
- On screen, show it large and hold it long enough for viewers to scan.
Make the code prompt people to subscribe
This is the one most creators never find. Add ?sub_confirmation=1 to the end of
your channel URL and YouTube shows a subscribe dialog the moment the page opens:
https://youtube.com/@yourchannel?sub_confirmation=1
Generate the code from that URL, not the plain one. The viewer still lands on your channel, but with one tap in front of them instead of a button they have to go looking for. It works on a video link too, though it makes most sense pointing at the channel.
Which link to use
- Channel —
youtube.com/@handle. Use this for merch, cards and anything meant to build an audience. - Video —
youtu.be/VIDEOID. The short form is best for QR codes: fewer characters means a less dense, easier-scanning code. - Start at a timestamp — add
?t=90for 90 seconds in. Useful when a flyer points at one moment in a long video. - Shorts —
youtube.com/shorts/IDworks, but opens the vertical player. Link the regular watch URL if you want it to play normally on desktop. - Playlist —
youtube.com/playlist?list=…. The playlist must be Public or Unlisted, or it will only open for you.
Prefer the short youtu.be form wherever you can. A shorter URL produces a QR code
with fewer modules, which scans faster and survives being printed smaller.
YouTube QR code FAQ
How do I make the QR code prompt people to subscribe?
Add ?sub_confirmation=1 to the end of your channel URL before you generate the code, for example youtube.com/@yourchannel?sub_confirmation=1. YouTube then shows a subscribe dialog as soon as the page opens, instead of the viewer having to find the button.
Should I use the long or short YouTube link?
Use the short youtu.be form where you can. A shorter URL produces a QR code with fewer modules, so it scans faster and survives being printed smaller.
Channel link or video link?
Use a channel link to grow subscribers, or a single video link to push one clip. Both work the same in the generator.
Does it work in print and on screen?
Yes — it scans from flyers, packaging and cards, and from screens like end-screen cards or slides, as long as it's shown large and sharp.
Is it free?
Yes. Generate unlimited YouTube QR codes free and download as PNG. SVG and 4K print files are free too.
Can I brand it?
Colors and a center logo are both free to change.