How to Make an Instagram QR Code: Steps & Examples

Instagram is a serious driver for marketing your business, brand, or even just yourself. But getting people past the distracting Reels and flashy content to your page can be a struggle.

QR codes bypass that hassle by letting followers and potential customers get to where you need them to go with a quick scan.

Curious about how you can create your own QR code for your Instagram account and enhance your presence online? In this post, we’ll give you a rundown of the benefits, examples, and how OnlineQRCode can help you produce one in minutes.

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Author

Nick Saraev

Updated

September 16, 2025

6 min read
How to Make an Instagram QR Code

What Is a QR Code for Instagram?

The QR in QR code stands for "quick response," which tells us plenty about its simplicity and speed. No matter how lengthy the link or complex the content, the code sends the person scanning right where the creator wants them to go online.

QR codes for Instagram accounts refer to any QR codes that lead to a linkon Instagram, whether a promotional page, account page, or specific piece of content. Considering Instagram’s potential for businesses, it’s a great way to improve engagement.

Generate QR code

Benefits of Using a QR Code for Instagram

Creating an Instagram QR code is a handy alternative to spelling out your handle or hoping someone reads it correctly on a promotional poster, but it also comes with a range of other benefits beyond convenience.

  • Instant access: Typing in a specific Instagram handle will lead to a profile page, but it won’t necessarily lead the searcher to specific Reels or story highlights with discounts you want them to view. QR codes get the individual right where you want them to.
  • Increased engagement: As a result of that instant access, you remove the barriers to engagement that may have previously been there. Once you make it easier for users to interact with your account, they’re more likely to stick around and engage through comments, likes, or follows.
  • Trackable insights: QR codes aren’t just highly accessible, but they usually come with tracking features baked into the system. That means whenever your code is scanned, you’ll be able to see where it was scanned, when, and even how many times. Was it from a marketing campaign? An Instagram carousel? Whichever method brought in the most scans is likely your most successful asset.
  • Ideal for Offline Marketing: QR codes are the perfect bridge between your online and offline marketing efforts. Rather than keep digital and traditional campaigns separate, you can simply add a QR code to a business card or storefront window, and customers can follow your Instagram account and engage with your posts and stories.
  • Possibility for customization and branding: QR codes don’t all have to look like a basic black-and-white grid. You can tweak the code to fit your brand’s Instagram look and feel through color, shape, and design changes on product packaging, stickers, and labels.

How To Get an Instagram QR Code

Convinced and ready to learn how to create a QR code for Instagram yourself? Our easy five-step process will help you do so, with no problem:

Create a QR Code
  • onlineqrcode-qr-code-generator-page

    1. Head to the OnlineQRCode QR Code Generator page

    Create an account by following the instructions on the screen.

  • choose-type-of-qr-code

    2. Choose the type of QR Code info to add

    Choose a dynamic QR content type, in this case, a dynamic social media code. Click next.

  • customize-your-instagram-qr-code

    3. Customize your Instagram QR code

    Title your code and then toy with the designs and basic information. You’ll also be able to preview it and enter the exact link you want and even integrate tracking analytics.

  • design-your-instagram-qr-code

    4. Design your social QR code

    Manually design your code with the style that matches your brand. Or use the beta AI feature to easily create a design by simply entering a prompt, which is helpful if you’re short on time or not sure where to begin.

  • finish-your-customize-instagram-qr-code-account

    5. Click finish

    After you’re done, you can go ahead and download your brand new code and start placing them on materials that will give your account the most visibility.

Examples of How to Use Your Instagram QR Code

Looking for more inspiration on how to use IG QR codes? Here are a couple of specific professions and creative ways they can put QR codes to work.

  • Photographers

    Clients can scan QR codes to instantly book sessions, viewyour carousel posts for specific shoot types, and browse specific photos.

    If you’re a wedding photographer, you could add a QR code to a "Thank You" card that directs the couple to view an Instagram post about their special day.

    QR Codes for Photographers
  • Fitness trainers

    If you work in a gym Instagram codes, placed intuitively on gym equipment, business cards, or gym posters, trainers can direct clients through QR codes to:

    • Book sessions
    • Learn more about their services
    • View client success stories and images

    Even better, youcan place a QR code on a gym flyer showing a sample workout of a specific kind.

  • Musicians

    Musicians can print QR codes on merchandise and posters, so fans can discover music videos and clips on Instagram, show schedules, and recent news.

    For example, if you’re a musician, youcould print a QR code on the back of youralbum cover that links to an Instagram post featuring behind-the-scenes clips.

    QR Codes for Musicians
  • Artists

    Are you an artist? QR codes on print material like flyers and in galleries can lead viewers to more information about yourartwork and portfolio pieces, and allow them to instantly follow.

    For a significant piece of art work, visitors could scan a QR code and view a time-lapse Reel of the artwork being created.

  • Restaurant owners

    While restaurant owners commonly use QR codes for menus. If you work in a restaurant, you can also make it easy for diners to share user-generated content on Instagram and:

    • Tag you
    • Follow your profile
    • Check out daily specials

    QR codes on coffee cup sleeves can direct customers to Instagram Highlights showing daily specials.

    QR Codes for Restaurant owners

Instagram QR Codes: Key Takeaways

Although QR codes have been pigeonholed into specific uses for quite some time, they’ve become smart shortcuts for directing your audience to specific Reels, Story Highlights, and posts on your Instagram profile.

Our QR code generator tools at OnlineQRCode allow you to design, customize, and personalize to your heart’s content, all while fostering the engagement, analytics, and insights you need to promote and share your brand.

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Expert

In-House Expert

Nick Saraev

Nick Saraev is a writer & entrepreneur who pivoted from a path in medicine to forge a series of successful digital media businesses. He's been featured in Popular Mechanics, Apple News, & Bloomberg, and is an Amazon Kindle best-seller.