QR code menus
A QR code menu is only as good as what it opens. A static code linking to a PDF looks fine on day one, then breaks when the file is renamed and can't show that the salmon sold out at 8 pm. A hosted menu page behind a dynamic code can do both: edit an item from your phone and every table sees it on the next scan.
Guests scan menus at the table, often in low light, sometimes with a weak signal. A good QR menu loads in a second, reads well on a small screen and keeps allergen information clear.
What to link from QR codes on menus
Daily specials
Add today's specials in the morning and remove them at close; the table code never changes.
Sold-out items
Mark a dish sold out so guests stop ordering it, and staff stop apologising.
Allergens and diets
Allergen and diet tags (vegan, gluten-free) per dish, which are easier to keep accurate than a printed key.
Separate menus by time
Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus behind the same code; on Pro, time-based routing switches them automatically.
Which QR code to use
Static codes are free and need no account, but can't be changed after printing. Dynamic codes and hosted pages can be edited at any time, count every scan, and keep working on every plan, even if you cancel.
Menu page
Sections and items with prices, photos, allergen and diet tags, and sold-out flags.
Sections, prices, photos, allergen and diet tags, sold-out flags, hours and a Wi-Fi block, edited in the dashboard.
Build it in the dashboardPDF page
An uploaded PDF people can read in the browser or download.
If you already have a designed PDF menu, host it so you can replace the file without changing the code.
Build it in the dashboardWi-Fi QR code
A Wi-Fi code beside the menu code helps guests with weak mobile signal load the menu.
Open the Wi-Fi generatorHow big to print it
| Where people scan | Distance | Minimum code width |
|---|---|---|
| Menu card on the table | 40 cm (16 in) | 4.6 cm (1.8 in) |
| Wall or counter menu | 1.5 m (5 ft) | 17.4 cm (6.9 in) |
For a dynamic short link such as https://qrdx.dev/q/aB3dE5f at error correction Q, without the blank margin. Static Wi-Fi, vCard or long URL codes hold more data and need to be larger. Check yours with the print size calculator and the scan checker.
Placement tips
- Stand the code up on a holder or tent so guests don't need to lean over the table.
- Matte laminate avoids glare from pendant lights.
- Keep a few printed menus for guests who prefer paper or don't have a phone.
- Use a separate code for each area (bar, terrace, delivery) to compare scans.
Call-to-action copy
A code with a reason to scan beside it gets more scans than a bare code. Lines to print next to yours:
- Scan for our menu and today's specials
- Menu, allergens and drinks
- Order from your table
QR codes on menus: FAQ
How do I make a QR code menu?
Create a menu page in the QRdx dashboard, add sections and items with prices, photos and tags, then download the code for that page and print it on table tents. Edit the menu at any time; the code stays the same.
Is a PDF menu behind a QR code a good idea?
It works, but PDFs are slow to open on phones, hard to read without zooming, and break if the file link changes. A hosted menu page is faster and editable. If you keep a PDF, host it behind a dynamic code so you can replace it.
Does a QR menu need an app?
No. Phone cameras open the menu in the browser. Guests don't install anything and don't need an account.