QR codes — How-to
How to make a QR code open a video.
Make a QR code that opens your YouTube or Vimeo video straight on a phone — and decide whether to link to the video itself or to your own page so you can track every scan.
Quick answer
- Upload your video to YouTube (or Vimeo) and copy its share link.
- Paste the link into a QR code generator as a Website code.
- Download the code and test it on an iPhone and an Android phone.
- Want to track scans in Google Analytics? Link to a page on your site with the video embedded, and add UTM tracking.
Video is one of the best things a QR code can open. A short demo on a product box, a walkthrough on a property sign, or a welcome message on a business card turns a static piece of print into something people actually engage with.
Link to the video, or to your own page?
| Feature | Link straight to the video | Link to your own page |
|---|---|---|
| Viewer experience | Usually opens in the YouTube app and starts playing. | Opens your page; the visitor taps play. |
| Track scans in GA4 | No — the visit goes to YouTube, not your site. | Yes, with UTM parameters. |
| Next step for the viewer | Whatever YouTube recommends next. | Your button: buy, book, call or sign up. |
| Best for | Quick entertainment, instructions, social content. | Marketing campaigns where you need results. |
How to make a QR code for a YouTube video
Step 1: Upload your video
Upload the video to YouTube and set it to Public or Unlisted. Unlisted works well for videos you only want people with the code to find.
Step 2: Copy the share link
Open the video, select Share, then Copy. You'll get a short link that starts with youtu.be/. Shorts links (youtube.com/shorts/…) work the same way.
Step 3: Create the QR code
Open our free QR code generator, choose Website, and paste the link. Turn scan tracking off for direct YouTube links — UTM parameters only help when the link goes to your own site.
Step 4: Test on two phones
Scan the code with an iPhone and an Android phone. On phones with the YouTube app, the link normally opens in the app; otherwise it opens in the browser.
Start the video at a specific moment
To skip an intro, add a start time to the link. Add ?t=90 to a youtu.be link to start 90 seconds in — for example youtu.be/VIDEO-ID?t=90. In YouTube's Share menu, you can also tick "Start at" to add it for you.
Create your video QR code
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Use a landing page to track scans
For campaigns, we recommend pointing the code at a short page on your own site with the video embedded at the top and one clear call to action below it. You get three things a direct link can't give you:
- Scan tracking — with UTM parameters, every scan shows up in Google Analytics 4. Build them with our UTM builder, or let the QR generator add them.
- A next step — a button to buy, book or call right after the video.
- Flexibility — you can swap the video later without reprinting the code.
Will the video play automatically?
When the link opens in the YouTube app, the video usually starts on its own. In mobile browsers, autoplay is more limited: browsers generally only autoplay video that's muted, so on a landing page expect most visitors to tap play. Put the video at the top of the page with a clear play button so that's effortless.
Frequently asked questions
Can a QR code play a video without YouTube?
Yes. Link to a Vimeo video, a page on your site with the video embedded, or a video file hosted on your server. A landing page on your own site gives you the most control and the best tracking.
Why does my video open in the browser instead of the app?
It usually means the YouTube app isn't installed, or the phone is set to open links in the browser. Standard youtu.be and youtube.com links give phones the best chance of opening the app.
Can I see how many people watched from my QR code?
YouTube Studio shows views from external sources, but it can't separate your QR code from other links. For exact numbers, send scans to your own page with UTM tracking.
Will the QR code break if I replace the video?
If the code points straight to a YouTube video, yes — a new video gets a new link. Point the code at your own page instead, and you can change the video any time.