To add a QR code to your certificates, use CertPie's template editor: drag the QR code field onto your certificate, position it in the bottom-right corner, and every certificate you generate will automatically get a unique QR code linked to a public verification page. Free plan includes this feature.
When a recruiter or employer scans the QR code, they instantly see the verified details: student name, course, issuing institute, and date. No phone calls, no emails, no waiting.
In this guide, we walk you through exactly how to add QR codes to your certificates, what they should link to, and how to set this up for free.
What Should the QR Code Link To?
This is the most important decision. A QR code is only as useful as the page it points to. The QR code on a certificate should link to a dedicated verification page that displays the certificate's authentic details.
- Student's full name
- Course or programme title
- Date of completion
- Issuing institute name and logo
- Certificate number for cross-referencing
- Certificate status (valid, expired, or revoked)
The verification page must be publicly accessible (no login required) so anyone with the QR code can verify the certificate instantly.
Where to Place the QR Code on the Certificate
The standard placement is the bottom-right corner of the certificate. This keeps it visible without interfering with the main content (student name, course title, signatures). A QR code size of about 80x80 pixels to 120x120 pixels works well for most A4 landscape certificates.
Some institutes also add a small label below the QR code that says 'Scan to verify' or 'Verify this certificate'. This makes the purpose immediately clear to anyone viewing the certificate.
Method 1: Manual QR Code Generation (Not Recommended for Bulk)
You can generate QR codes manually using free QR code generator websites. Create a unique URL for each certificate, generate a QR code image, and manually place it on each certificate in your design tool.
This works for 1-5 certificates but becomes completely impractical for batches. You would need to create a unique URL, generate a unique QR image, and paste it onto each certificate individually. For 100 certificates, that is 100 separate QR codes manually placed.
Method 2: Automated QR Codes with a Certificate Platform (Recommended)
The practical solution is to use a certificate generation platform that automatically adds a unique QR code to every certificate during bulk generation. When you generate 200 certificates from a CSV file, each one automatically gets a unique QR code linked to its own verification page.
With CertPie, QR codes are added automatically to every certificate you generate. Each QR code links to a verification page at certpie.com/verify/[unique-id]. You don't need to create URLs, generate QR images, or place them manually. The entire process is handled during generation. Read more about why QR verification matters for Indian institutes.
Step-by-Step: Adding QR Codes with CertPie
- 1Sign up for free at certpie.com (no credit card required)
- 2Choose a certificate template or import your own design
- 3In the template editor, add a QR code placeholder by dragging the 'QR Code' field onto your certificate
- 4Position and resize the QR code to fit your design (bottom-right corner recommended)
- 5Upload your student CSV file with names, emails, and course details
- 6Map your CSV columns to the template placeholders
- 7Click Generate. Every certificate automatically gets a unique QR code linked to its verification page
- 8Send all certificates via email with one click
What Happens When Someone Scans the QR Code?
When an employer scans the QR code with their phone camera, their browser opens the verification page. This page shows the verified certificate details with a 'Verified' badge, the issuing institute's logo, and all relevant information. If the certificate has been revoked or expired, that status is displayed clearly.
The entire verification takes under 3 seconds. No app download, no account creation, no fees for the verifier.
Conclusion
Adding QR codes to your certificates is the single most impactful thing you can do to increase their credibility. It takes zero extra effort when you use the right tool, and it makes every certificate you issue instantly verifiable by anyone, anywhere. Start with CertPie's free plan and add QR verification to your next batch of certificates today.