To create a QR Code with the Bitly API, send a POST request to our QR Code endpoint. These QR Codes have all of the customization options available at app.bitly.com. (It may be helpful to look at the customization options within the app.) You can also use this endpoint to create GS1-compliant 2D Barcodes.
Links and QR Codes created via the API count towards your monthly limits.
This article discusses our new QR Code endpoint, released in January 2024. Learn more in Using the new Bitly QR Code endpoint.
Making a QR Code for an existing link
If you're making a QR Code for an existing link, include that link in the destination field. For example:
"destination": {
"bitlink_id": "bit.ly/abc123"
},
Making a QR Code without a link
If there isn't an existing link for the QR Code's destination URL, put the long URL in the destination field instead:
"destination": {
"long_url": "https://example.com/123"
},
Note: Making a QR Code without an existing link requires using the new version of the QR Code endpoint.
Using the new QR Code endpoint
In January 2024, we released a new version of our QR Code endpoint. This new endpoint has more functionality, allowing you to create QR Codes without associated links, create GS1-compliant 2D Barcodes, and more.
Visit v4/qr-codes on our dev site for information specific to the requests you can make to this new endpoint. Note that for a POST request, most of these fields are optional. To view an example of a simple request, select Minimal in the dropdown menu on the sample request on the right side of the page.
Using the previous endpoint
If you started using the Bitly API for QR Code operations before January 2024, you're likely using the previous version. This endpoint still works, though it lacks some of the new functionality. Visit v4/bitlinks/{bitlink}/qr-codes on our dev site for information specific to the requests you can make to this endpoint.