QR code guide
Do QR codes expire? The honest answer, with sources.
Some do and some do not, and the difference is easy to check before you print. Below: what makes a code expire, and what five providers say on their own pages.
By Wyatt, founder ·
Do QR codes expire?
A static QR code never expires, because the web address or text is stored in the picture itself; a dynamic QR code works for as long as the company that runs its redirect keeps it active.
Most of the confusion comes from mixing the two kinds, so the rest of this page takes them one at a time.
Static QR codes have no expiry date
A static code stores the web address, text or Wi-Fi details inside the pattern of dots. No server sits in the middle, there is no account and nothing to renew, so it cannot be switched off. QR Code Monkey's page says its free codes "do not expire and will work forever".
What can fail is what the code points to: a deleted page, a closed form, a domain that lapsed. The code still scans, but it lands on an error. Print wear counts too: sun fades ink, scratches and glare make a code hard to read.
A QR code that never expiresDynamic QR codes depend on the company
A dynamic code stores a short address on the provider's server, which forwards to your destination. That is how you can change the destination later and count scans. It also means the code works for as long as the provider keeps forwarding. Below is what each provider's own page says, read on November 3, 2026.
What each provider's own page says about codes after a trial or plan ends
- Provider
- QR Code Monkey (free, static)
- What its page says
- Its free codes "do not expire and will work forever". Dynamic codes are sold by a separate service, which it links to.
- Provider
- Uniqode (dynamic)
- What its page says
- After the free trial, dynamic codes become inactive until you upgrade (static codes keep working). If you cancel your subscription, its page says your QR codes become inactive.
- Provider
- QR TIGER (dynamic)
- What its page says
- Its FAQ says that if your plan expires, a dynamic code will stop working. Its blog says codes and data are kept for up to one year after a plan ends, so ask before you rely on either.
- Provider
- Hovercode (dynamic)
- What its page says
- On cancel you move to Free. 3 dynamic codes stay active; the rest become inactive, are not deleted, and come back if you subscribe again. Codes served from a custom domain stop working.
- Provider
- QRever (dynamic, one-time purchase)
- What its page says
- Its page says it never deactivates paid codes. If it closed, it says paid codes keep working for at least 5 years, with at least 90 days' notice, but nothing can be edited and scans are not recorded.
- Provider
- QR Polls (ours)
- What its page says
- Static codes never expire. Editable codes: no expiry date. Codes keep forwarding after you cancel.
Questions to ask before you print a dynamic code
Our answer: editable codes keep forwarding after you cancel a plan, and you can make 3 editable codes free with an email.
- What happens to printed codes if I cancel, or when the trial ends? Look for the answer in the terms, not just in a blog post.
- Is there a scan limit, and what happens when I reach it?
- Can I export a plain (static) version of the code as a backup?
- What happens to my codes if the company closes?
- Who owns the short address the code points to?
How long do QR codes last?
A static code lasts as long as it can be printed clearly and what it points to still exists. A dynamic code lasts as long as the provider keeps it active, which can be days after a trial or for years if the provider promises it.
Either way, test every code on a phone before printing, and test again after a few months if it is on something that stays outside.
Questions
Do free QR codes expire?
A free static code never expires, because it holds your link inside the picture. Many free dynamic codes are trials that stop working when the trial ends.
How long do QR codes last?
A static code lasts as long as the print stays readable and its destination exists. A dynamic code lasts as long as the provider keeps it active.
Why does my QR code say it expired?
A message like that comes from the company running a dynamic code, usually because a trial or plan ended. A static code cannot show it. Contact whoever made the code, or ask them for a new one.
Can a static QR code be switched off?
No. There is no provider to switch it off. If it stops working, the page it points to is gone or the print is damaged.
Sources
Last checked November 3, 2026
- QR Code Monkey home page https://www.qrcode-monkey.com/
- Uniqode pricing page https://uniqode.com/pricing
- QR TIGER home page (FAQ) https://www.qrcode-tiger.com/
- QR TIGER: do QR codes expire https://www.qrcode-tiger.com/do-free-qr-codes-expire
- Hovercode pricing page https://hovercode.com/pricing
- QRever home page https://qrever.com/