PDF hosting · Pro
PDF to QR Code Generator
Convert a PDF to QR code in about a minute: upload the file (up to 20 MB), we host it, and anyone who scans the code can open it on their phone. When the document changes, upload the new version and the same printed code shows it.
QR Simple Pro
Upload a PDF and get a QR code
Hosting a PDF is part of Pro, at CA$15US$10 a month or CA$120US$80 a year. Upload once, swap the file whenever it changes, and see how many times the code is scanned.
CA$15US$10/month or CA$120US$80/year · no trial trap · 15-day refund
1Content
2Design
Try Logo art: your logo becomes the whole code
Add your logo to see yours. It comes on an editable Pro code you can change after printing.
Starbucks shown as an example only; not affiliated or endorsed.
- PDFs up to 20 MB, hosted for you
- Replace the file without reprinting
- Optional password protection
How to make a QR code for a PDF
- 1
Upload your PDF
Choose a file up to 20 MB. Menus, brochures, manuals, price lists and event programs all work well.
- 2
Design the code
Add your colors, logo and a frame that tells people what they'll get, like “Scan for the menu”.
- 3
Download and print
Get PNG, JPG, SVG or PDF files, and test the code on a phone before anything goes to print.
- 4
Update the file when it changes
Upload a new version from your dashboard, and the same printed code opens the new PDF.
Two ways to put a PDF behind a QR code
A QR code can't hold a PDF itself. It holds a link to one, so the real question is where the PDF lives.
If the file is already online, for example shared from Google Drive or Dropbox so that anyone with the link can view it, you can make a free static QR code of that share link. It never expires, but if the file is deleted, re-uploaded as a new file or its sharing is turned off, the code stops working.
With Pro, you upload the PDF to QR Simple instead. We host it, the code points to a short qr-simple.com link, and you can replace the file any time without reprinting. You also get scan counts and optional password protection.
PDF tips for phone readers
Most people will open your PDF on a phone, often on mobile data. A little preparation makes it quick to open and easy to read:
- Keep the file small. Compress images and export at screen resolution; a few megabytes opens far faster than 20.
- Design for a narrow screen: large text, a single column, and the key information on page one.
- If you use a free share-link code, check the sharing setting. Anyone with the link must be able to view the file, or scanners will hit a sign-in page.
- Say what's behind the code on the print, such as “Scan for the full menu (PDF)”.
- Print the code at least 2 cm (0.8 in) wide, dark on a light background, with a clear margin around it.
Why hosted PDFs suit documents that change
Menus, price lists, timetables and forms change. With a static code of a share link, a new file often means a new link and a reprint. With a Pro PDF code you upload the new file and the same code keeps working.
Pro is CA$15US$10 a month or CA$120US$80 a year with no trial. If your plan ever ends, your codes keep scanning, with a short “Continue to …” screen instead of an error, while uploads and analytics pause until you resubscribe.
What people share with a PDF QR code
Restaurant menus
Table cards and window stickers that always show the current menu.
Brochures and catalogs
Hand out a small card instead of a heavy printed booklet.
Manuals and spec sheets
Put setup instructions right on the product or its packaging.
Event programs
Share the schedule, map and speaker list at the door.
Real estate feature sheets
Put the full listing sheet on the sign outside.
Host PDFs and more with Pro
Pro hosts PDFs up to 20 MB and images up to 5 MB, lets you replace files without reprinting, and adds scan analytics, password protection and the full designer. CA$15US$10 a month or CA$120US$80 a year, and you can cancel online any time.
Free
$0
Static QR codes, forever
- Links, email, SMS, WhatsApp, text and map locations
- Frames, colours, shapes and your logo — PNG, SVG or PDF
- No sign-up, no watermark, never expires
- Made in your browser — nothing you type is stored
Pro
CA$120US$80/year
or CA$15US$10/month · annual saves 33%
- Edit where any code points, any time — no reprinting
- Scan analytics: when, where and on what device
- Hosted pages: PDFs, images, menus, Wi-Fi, contact cards and link pages
- Up to 50 editable codes, unlimited scans, password protection
No free-trial trap. The price you see is the price you pay.
Cancel online any time. Full refund within 15 days.
If Pro ever ends, your printed codes keep scanning.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a PDF to a QR code?
Upload the PDF with Pro and we create a code that opens it. If the PDF is already online, paste its public link into the free generator instead.
What's the maximum PDF size?
20 MB per file. Smaller files open faster on phones, so compress large images first where you can.
Can I change the PDF after printing the QR code?
Yes, with Pro. Upload a new version and the same printed code opens it. A free static code of a share link only changes if the file behind that exact link changes.
Can I make a free QR code for a PDF?
Yes, if the PDF is already hosted somewhere public, like a Google Drive or Dropbox share link. Make a free static code of that link, and keep the file and its sharing settings in place.
Can I password-protect the PDF?
Yes. Pro codes can have an optional password, so only people you share it with can open the file.
Do people need an app to open it?
No. The phone's camera reads the code and the PDF opens in the browser.