QR Code Generator
The free QR code generator that works entirely in your browser. Enter any URL or text, customize colors and error correction, and download as PNG or SVG. No signup, no watermark, 100% private.
Enter a URL or text above to generate your QR code.
What Is a QR Code?
A QR code (Quick Response code) is a two-dimensional barcode that stores information, typically a URL, in a grid of black and white squares. Any smartphone camera can decode it in under a second, bridging the gap between physical print and a digital destination. First developed for automotive manufacturing in Japan in 1994, QR codes became a mainstream consumer tool after smartphones standardised built-in camera scanning around 2017, and adoption accelerated sharply during the pandemic years as contactless interaction became a design requirement.
How QR Codes Work
A QR code encodes data as a pattern of dark and light modules arranged in a square grid. The three large squares in the corners are finder patterns, which tell the scanner where the code begins and ends regardless of angle or rotation. The remaining modules encode your data in binary format using Reed-Solomon error correction.
Tolerates 7% damage
Clean digital screens
Tolerates 15% damage
General purpose (default)
Tolerates 25% damage
Industrial or outdoor print
Tolerates 30% damage
Logos overlaid on the code
Higher error correction makes the code denser (more modules) but more resilient. Use Level H whenever you plan to overlay a logo or print on an uneven surface.
What You Can Use QR Codes For
QR codes work anywhere you want to move someone from a physical surface to a digital destination. A well-placed QR code paired with a performance marketing campaign can turn print, packaging, and signage into a measurable channel.
Restaurant Menus
Replace paper menus with a QR code linking to your live digital menu. Update prices without reprinting.
Payments and Invoices
Link to a payment page or invoice URL so clients can pay instantly from a printed document.
Business Cards
Encode your vCard URL or LinkedIn profile. Contacts scan and save your details in one tap.
Product Packaging
Point to setup guides, warranty registration, or review prompts directly from the box.
Events and Tickets
Encode booking confirmation pages, venue maps, or schedules on printed event materials.
Retail Signage
Drive shoppers from in-store displays to product pages, promotions, or your loyalty program.
Wi-Fi Sharing
Encode your Wi-Fi credentials so guests connect without typing a long password.
Static vs Dynamic QR Codes
The destination URL is encoded directly in the code. It never changes, never expires, and requires no server to work. This tool creates free static codes. They cannot be edited after creation, so if your URL changes you generate a new code.
The code points to a short-link server that redirects to your destination. You can change the destination without reprinting. Scan tracking is possible. These require a paid subscription and will break if the provider shuts down.
For most use cases, static codes are the right choice. They are free, permanent, and privacy-respecting. If you need scan analytics, use a URL with UTM parameters and measure in Google Analytics or your ad platform instead.
How to Use This QR Code Generator
- 01Paste your URL or type the text you want to encode. The QR code renders live as you type.
- 02Set the size. 512 px is the default and suits most digital uses. For print, go to 1024 px or download SVG.
- 03Choose an error correction level. Level M works for most cases. Use H if you plan to overlay a logo.
- 04Pick foreground and background colors. Keep contrast high so scanners can read the code reliably.
- 05Adjust the margin (quiet zone) if needed. A margin of 2 or more helps scanners find the boundary of the code.
- 06Click Download PNG for digital files or Download SVG for print and large-format use.
QR Code Best Practices
Contrast first
Use dark modules on a light background. Inverted colors (light on dark) work, but many budget scanners fail on low-contrast combinations. Black on white is the most reliable choice.
Respect the quiet zone
The quiet zone is the white margin around the code. Never crop it. Scanners need at least 4 module widths of margin to locate the code boundary correctly.
Test before printing
Scan your code on multiple devices before committing to a print run. Test iOS Camera, Android Camera, and at least one third-party scanner at the intended print size.
Size for the scan distance
The minimum printable size is roughly 2 cm by 2 cm for a phone held at arm's length. For signage, larger is better. A rough rule: 1 cm of code side for every 10 cm of scan distance.
Keep the URL short
Shorter URLs produce fewer modules, which makes the code less dense and easier to scan. If your URL is long, use a URL shortener or a clean path on your own domain.
Land on a dedicated page
A QR code is only as good as the page it opens. Send scans to a focused performance marketing landing page, not a homepage. Use UTM parameters to measure the traffic in your analytics.
Need to build or clean up HTML for a landing page? Use our free HTML Editor to preview and edit markup directly in your browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this QR code generator really free?
Yes. The tool is completely free, requires no signup, no account, and no email address. Generate as many QR codes as you need.
Are my QR codes private?
Yes. Everything is generated in your browser. No data is sent to any server. Your URL or text never leaves your device.
Do the QR codes expire?
No. This tool generates static QR codes. A static QR code points directly to the URL or text you encode and never expires, as long as the destination URL remains live.
What is the difference between static and dynamic QR codes?
A static QR code encodes the destination directly. It cannot be changed after printing. A dynamic QR code points to a redirect URL that can be updated. Static codes are simpler and last forever. Dynamic codes require a paid service to manage the redirect.
What error correction level should I choose?
Use M (15%) for most purposes. Choose H (30%) if the QR code will be printed on packaging or surfaces that may be scratched or dirty. Use L (7%) only when you need to fit the most data in the smallest size and the code will be scanned in good conditions.
How do I download my QR code?
Click Download PNG for a raster image at the size you set, or Download SVG for a vector file that scales to any size without losing quality. SVG is recommended for print.
What is the maximum amount of text I can encode?
The QR code specification supports up to 4,296 characters in Alphanumeric mode, or 2,953 bytes in Byte mode. In practice, shorter URLs produce simpler, faster-scanning codes. If you exceed the limit, the tool will show a helpful error.
Can I use a custom color for my QR code?
Yes. Set any foreground and background color using the color pickers. Make sure there is sufficient contrast between the two. Light background with dark foreground scans most reliably.
A great QR code needs a landing page that converts.
The code gets them there. The page closes them. We design and build landing pages that turn every scan into a measurable action.