QR code for YouTube
Make a QR code for a YouTube video by pasting its link here, or use a channel, Short or playlist link instead; the creator adds a “WATCH” frame right away. You can change the link any time, so when you post a better version of the video, you swap it into the code without reprinting a single box or poster.
Your code will appear here
Copy the video, channel, Short or playlist link
Here's how YouTube's help center describes it in Share videos and channels and Share playlists:
| What the code opens | On a computer | In the YouTube app |
|---|---|---|
| A video | Under the video, click Share, then Copy. | Under the video player, tap Share, then Copy link. |
| A video at a set time | In the Share panel, check Start at, enter the time, then click Copy. | Go to the moment you want, tap Share and toggle on the “Minute : Second” bar. |
| A channel | Go to the channel page and copy the URL from the address bar. | On the channel, tap More, then Share and Copy link. |
| A playlist | Open the playlist page and copy the URL; it should contain the word “playlist.” | On a channel, tap Playlists, then More next to the playlist and Copy link. |
| A Short | Open the Short and copy the URL from the address bar. | Copy the link from the Short's share options. |
A private video won't work, because private videos can't be shared by link. If only people with the code should find it, set the video to unlisted: YouTube's help center says unlisted videos and playlists can be seen and shared by anyone with the link.
Make a QR code for a YouTube video in 4 steps
Paste your link
Paste it into The link to turn into a QR code at the top of this page, or tap Paste. The code shows up with a “WATCH” frame.
Change the label if you like
Under Frame, edit Frame text, say to “SEE HOW IT WORKS” or “WATCH THE DEMO.” You get up to 24 characters and five frame styles, from Label below to Ticket.
Add your channel's logo
Under Logo, click choose from your device and pick a PNG, JPG, WEBP or SVG file up to 5 MB, such as your channel avatar. There's no ready-made YouTube icon in the creator, so use your own file.
Click Download QR code
When you see “Scans correctly,” save the code to your free account and download it: SVG for print, PNG for slides and documents.
Ideas
- How-to video on the packaging: a code to an assembly or setup video instead of four pages of diagrams. Customers scan it with the product in their hands.
- Slides and talks: a code on a slide opens a clip you don't want to play in the room. Handing out the slides afterward? See our page on the QR code for a PDF.
- Classes: a code on the whiteboard or a worksheet leads to a video students watch at home.
- Resume and portfolio: a code to a short intro video, or to a channel with your past work.
- Posters and flyers: a code to the trailer for a concert or the school play. Our page on QR codes for flyers and posters covers print size and tracking.
Put a how-to code where the customer gets stuck, like the lid of the box rather than the bottom, and say how long the video is: “Assembly in 3 minutes.”
Swap in a newer video
Recorded a clearer version of your tutorial, or posted a new episode? With a regular QR code the video's address is fixed, so a new video means a new print run. A linqr code holds a short link that forwards to your address, so you only change the destination:
- Open My codes and pick the code.
- Click Change link and paste the new video's address into New destination link.
- Save. Once you see “Link changed,” every printed code opens the new video.
The previous video's link is listed under Previous links in the Change link window, and Use again brings it back. Our guide on how to change a QR code link after printing has more.
Changing your channel handle? YouTube's help center says your handle also becomes your channel URL, like youtube.com/@yourchannel. After a change, copy the new address and update the code.
Design and stats
The code can use your channel's colors, but it has to be clearly darker than the background. A bright red on white has less contrast than navy or black; when contrast is too low, the creator shows “Not enough contrast” with a Fix button. Under Frame, you can set the Frame colour and Text colour separately.
Every code counts its scans, so you know how many people came from a specific box or poster. The Free plan shows total and unique scans, a 30-day chart, the top 3 countries and devices. Promoting your Instagram or Facebook too? Make a separate QR code for Instagram or QR code for your Facebook page and compare which one gets scanned more.
Questions
How do I make a QR code for a YouTube video?
On a computer, click Share under the video, then Copy; in the app, tap Share, then Copy link. Paste the link into the field at the top of this page and the creator shows a code with a “WATCH” frame. Change the label or colors, or add your channel's logo, then click Download QR code, save the code to your free account and download a PNG or SVG.
Can the code start the video at a certain time?
Yes. On a computer, check Start at in the Share panel, enter the time, say 2:30, and only then click Copy. In the app, go to that moment, tap Share and toggle on the “Minute : Second” bar. The copied link already carries the start time, so the code opens the video right there.
Can I swap the video after printing?
Yes, as often as you like, on the Free plan too. In My codes, click Change link, paste the new video's address and save. The code on your box, poster or handout opens the new video right away, with no new file to download and nothing to reprint. The previous address stays in the code's history.
Will a video from my phone's gallery work?
Not the file itself: a QR code opens a link, and a video sitting in your gallery doesn't have one. linqr doesn't host videos. Upload it to YouTube as unlisted, or to Google Drive with Anyone with the link access as Google Drive Help describes, and make the code from that link. Our guide to the QR code for Google Drive has the details.
Can I make the code on my phone?
Yes. Open this page in your phone's browser, copy the link in the YouTube app with Share and Copy link, then tap Paste. Colors, frames and downloads work the same as on a computer. The file saves to your phone, ready to send to a print shop or drop into a design app.
Can a QR code open a YouTube channel, playlist or Short?
Yes, any YouTube link works. Copy the channel address, the playlist link from Share, or the Short's link, and paste it into the linqr creator. A channel or playlist link is useful for print that stays out for a long time, since new videos show up there without changing the code.
Will the video start playing automatically after scanning?
That's up to YouTube and the phone, not the code. linqr opens the link, and the video then opens in the YouTube app or the browser. Some phones start playback right away, others wait for a tap, and browsers often block autoplay with sound. Mention “tap play” if timing matters.
Can I make a QR code for an unlisted YouTube video?
Yes. Unlisted videos can be watched by anyone who has the link, so a code works well for a video you don't want in search, such as a product manual or a class recording. Private videos won't play for people you haven't invited, so don't use a private video for print.
Can I put the YouTube logo in the middle of the code?
linqr has no YouTube quick icon, but you can upload an image under Logo. Check YouTube's brand guidelines before using its logo on print. With a logo, error correction moves to the highest level on Auto, and the creator shows Scans correctly once the code has been checked.
Why do my scan numbers not match my YouTube views?
They measure different things. linqr counts scans of the printed code, with unique scans estimated separately. YouTube Studio counts views by its own rules, from every source, including search and recommendations. Someone may also scan and leave before a view counts. Compare trends over the same weeks rather than exact numbers.
What frame text should a YouTube QR code have?
The linqr creator suggests “WATCH” on this page, and you can change it under Frame, in Frame text. Good options are “WATCH THE VIDEO”, “SEE HOW IT WORKS” or “SUBSCRIBE”. Keep it short and match the promise: if the code opens a playlist, say how many videos or what topic.
Sources
Keep reading
- QR code for InstagramMake a QR code for your Instagram profile, post or reel with your own logo and colors. Track scans and point it to a new handle any time.
- QR code for a Facebook pageMake a QR code for your Facebook page, profile, group, event or Messenger chat. Add the Facebook icon, download PNG or SVG and change the link any time.
- QR code for a PDFLink a QR code to a PDF on Google Drive, Dropbox or your website. Upload a new version, change the link, and every printed code opens the new file.