UTM QR code generator
Print, packaging and events can be measured just as precisely as email. Tag the URL before you generate the QR code and every scan lands in analytics with its source, medium and campaign attached.
Why QR codes need UTM parameters
A QR code on a poster, flyer, receipt or product box sends someone straight to your website — but without tagging, that visit lands in analytics as direct traffic. You lose the one thing you wanted to know: which piece of print actually worked.
Adding UTM parameters to the URL before you generate the code fixes this. Every scan arrives pre-labelled with its source, medium and campaign, so offline placements show up in Google Analytics next to your email and social campaigns.
How to create a UTM QR code
- Paste the destination URL you want people to land on.
- Set utm_source to the physical placement — poster, flyer, packaging, business_card, tradeshow.
- Set utm_medium to qr so every offline scan is grouped together.
- Set utm_campaign to the campaign the print belongs to, for example spring_launch.
- Copy the generated URL and download the QR code as an image for your artwork.
A naming pattern that scales
If you print in more than one place, keep the medium constant and vary the source. That way a single report row shows total offline scans, and you can still drill into which placement drove them.
| Placement | utm_source | utm_medium | utm_campaign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shop window poster | poster | qr | spring_launch |
| Event flyer | flyer | qr | spring_launch |
| Product packaging insert | packaging | qr | onboarding |
| Conference badge | tradeshow | qr | saastr_2026 |
Printing QR codes that actually scan
- Print at a minimum of 2cm × 2cm; scale up for anything read from more than a metre away.
- Keep a clear quiet zone — blank space equal to four modules around the code.
- Maintain strong contrast: dark code on a light background beats brand colours every time.
- Test a printed proof with two or three different phones before the full run.
- Keep UTM values short and lowercase so the encoded URL stays low density.
Reading QR scans in Google Analytics 4
In GA4, open Reports → Acquisition → Traffic acquisition and switch the dimension to Session source / medium. Your scans appear as poster / qr, flyer / qr and so on. Add Session campaign as a secondary dimension to split by print run.
Trace UTM Pro connects your GA4 property directly, so sessions, engagement and conversions appear next to the exact link and QR code that produced them — no report building required.
Build a tagged QR code now
The builder generates the UTM URL and a downloadable QR code together. Free, no signup.
Open the UTM builderFrequently asked questions
Can a QR code contain UTM parameters?
Yes. A QR code simply encodes a URL, so any UTM-tagged URL works. Scanners open the full link including utm_source, utm_medium and utm_campaign, and your analytics records the campaign exactly as it would for a clicked link.
What should utm_medium be for a QR code?
Use utm_medium=qr so offline scans are separated from clicks. Set utm_source to the physical placement — for example poster, flyer, packaging or tradeshow.
Do QR codes break if the URL is long?
Long URLs produce denser QR codes that need a larger print size or closer scan distance. Keep parameter values short and lowercase, and print at 2cm or larger for reliable scanning.
Is the Trace UTM QR generator free?
Yes. Building a UTM URL and downloading its QR code is free and requires no signup.