QR Code Generator
Generate custom QR codes for URLs, text, contact cards (vCard), WiFi credentials, email, and SMS. Customize colors, add logos, adjust error correction, and download as PNG or SVG. All processing happens in your browser for complete privacy.
Customization
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Enter content and click Generate QR Code
What is a QR Code?
A QR Code (Quick Response Code) is a two-dimensional barcode that stores information in a pattern of black squares on a white background. Developed in 1994 by Denso Wave for tracking automotive parts, QR codes have become ubiquitous in modern life for instantly accessing digital content via smartphone cameras.
Unlike traditional barcodes that store data horizontally, QR codes store information both horizontally and vertically, allowing them to hold significantly more data—up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters or 7,089 numeric characters. This makes them perfect for storing URLs, contact information, WiFi credentials, payment details, and much more.
QR codes use error correction algorithms (Reed-Solomon) that allow them to remain readable even when partially damaged or obscured. With four error correction levels (L, M, Q, H), QR codes can recover from 7% to 30% data loss, making them incredibly reliable for real-world use on posters, product packaging, business cards, and digital displays.
The "Quick Response" name comes from the original intent: instant decoding. Modern smartphones can scan QR codes in milliseconds, making them ideal for contactless payments, restaurant menus, event check-ins, marketing campaigns, product authentication, and bridging the physical and digital worlds seamlessly.
Types of QR Codes You Can Generate
URL / Website QR Code
Direct users to websites, landing pages, online stores, or social media profiles with a simple scan. Perfect for marketing materials, product packaging, posters, and print ads. Most common QR code type used for driving traffic from offline to online channels. No typing required—instant website access.
Plain Text QR Code
Store and display simple text messages, instructions, codes, or information that appears instantly when scanned. Works offline without internet connection. Ideal for product serial numbers, short messages, access codes, IoT device IDs, and information that needs to be quickly readable without network access.
vCard / Contact Card QR Code
Share complete contact information including name, phone, email, address, company, and website. Recipients can save directly to their phone contacts. Perfect for business cards, email signatures, conference badges, and networking events. Eliminates manual contact entry and ensures accurate information transfer.
WiFi QR Code
Allow instant WiFi connection without typing passwords. Store network name (SSID), password, and encryption type. Perfect for guest networks in offices, cafes, hotels, Airbnb properties, and homes. Scan and connect automatically—no password sharing or typing complex credentials on small phone keyboards.
Email QR Code
Pre-fill email recipient, subject, and message body. Users scan and their email app opens with everything ready to send. Ideal for customer support, feedback collection, inquiry forms, and making it effortless for customers to reach you. Increases response rates by removing friction from email communication.
SMS / Text Message QR Code
Pre-populate phone number and message text. Recipients scan and send the pre-written SMS with one tap. Useful for contests, opt-ins, feedback requests, keyword campaigns, event RSVPs, and instant text-based interactions. Makes SMS marketing and communication frictionless for users.
Popular QR Code Use Cases
📱 Marketing & Advertising
Print ads, billboards, posters, flyers, magazine ads, and outdoor advertising. Drive traffic from physical media to digital campaigns. Track engagement and conversions from offline channels. Enable instant access to promotions, product info, and special offers.
💼 Business Cards
Modern business cards with QR codes for instant contact saving. Include LinkedIn profile, portfolio website, or complete vCard data. Professional, memorable, and ensures accurate contact information transfer. No more manually typing contact details.
📦 Product Packaging
Link to instruction manuals, product registration, warranty information, recipes, how-to videos, or authenticity verification. Reduce printed materials while providing more detailed product information. Enable smart packaging and customer engagement.
🍽️ Restaurant Menus
Contactless digital menus that are easy to update. Display allergen information, nutritional data, and daily specials. Reduce printing costs and paper waste. Became essential during COVID-19 and remains popular for hygiene and convenience.
🎫 Event Management
Digital tickets, event check-ins, attendee badges, and access control. Provide event schedules, maps, speaker information, and networking opportunities. Enable contactless entry and real-time attendance tracking for conferences, concerts, and festivals.
💳 Payments & Donations
Contactless payments, digital wallets, cryptocurrency transfers, and donation collection. Popular in Asia and increasingly common worldwide. Faster than card payments with lower transaction fees. Perfect for street vendors, nonprofits, and peer-to-peer payments.
🏫 Education & Training
Quick access to course materials, assignments, video lectures, and supplementary resources. Student attendance tracking, quiz access, and interactive learning experiences. Connect physical textbooks and classroom materials to digital content.
🏠 Real Estate
Property listings, virtual tours, floor plans, and agent contact information on yard signs and brochures. Enable instant property details access for drive-by potential buyers. Schedule showings and access property videos without calling.
🏥 Healthcare
Patient registration, appointment scheduling, medication information, prescription refills, and health records access. Hospital wayfinding and department information. Reduce paperwork and improve patient experience with contactless information access.
QR Code Customization Options
Colors & Styling
Customize foreground (dark modules) and background colors to match your brand identity. While black-on-white remains most scannable, colored QR codes work perfectly when maintaining sufficient contrast. Use brand colors to create visually appealing codes that integrate seamlessly with your design.
- Maintain at least 3:1 contrast ratio for reliable scanning
- Dark foreground colors work best (black, navy, dark purple)
- Test QR codes on actual devices after customization
- Avoid low contrast combinations (yellow on white, light gray on white)
Logo Embedding
Add your company logo to the center of QR codes for brand recognition and professional appearance. Error correction allows logos to cover up to 30% of the QR code while maintaining scannability. Popular brands like Spotify, Instagram, and Snapchat use logo-embedded QR codes extensively.
- Keep logo size reasonable (10-30% of QR code area)
- Use high error correction (Q or H level) when adding logos
- Simple, high-contrast logos work best
- Test scanning with logo from typical viewing distances
Error Correction Levels
QR codes include error correction that allows them to be read even when partially damaged or obscured. Choose the appropriate level based on your use case and customization needs:
Level L (Low) - 7% recovery
Best for clean environments and maximum data storage. Use when QR code will be protected and printed clearly.
Level M (Medium) - 15% recovery
Balanced option suitable for most use cases. Good for business cards and indoor materials.
Level Q (Quartile) - 25% recovery
Recommended when adding logos or for outdoor use. Higher damage tolerance for harsh environments.
Level H (High) - 30% recovery
Maximum error correction for heavily customized codes or outdoor/industrial environments where damage is likely.
Size & Resolution
QR code size depends on scanning distance and complexity. More data requires larger QR codes with more modules (squares). Follow these guidelines for optimal scanning:
- Minimum size: 2cm × 2cm (0.8" × 0.8") for close-up scanning
- Business cards: 2-3cm (0.8-1.2") works well
- Posters/Flyers: 5-10cm (2-4") for arm's-length scanning
- Billboards: Scale up based on viewing distance (10cm per meter of distance)
- Digital displays: Minimum 200×200px, recommend 400×400px
QR Code Best Practices
Test Before Printing: Always test your QR code on multiple devices (iPhone, Android, different scanning apps) before mass printing. Test under various lighting conditions and from expected scanning distances. What works on your computer screen might not work on physical materials.
Provide Context: Add a clear call-to-action near your QR code: "Scan to visit website," "Scan for menu," "Scan to connect to WiFi." Users are more likely to scan when they know what to expect. Include your logo or brand elements nearby for trust and recognition.
Maintain Quiet Zone: Leave adequate white space (quiet zone) around your QR code—at least 4 modules (squares) wide on all sides. This border helps scanners detect the code edges. Don't crop QR codes too tightly or place them on busy backgrounds.
Choose the Right Format: Use PNG for digital displays and most print materials. Use SVG for high-quality printing, signs, or when you need to scale the QR code to different sizes. SVG is vector-based and maintains perfect quality at any size.
Consider Mobile Experience: Ensure the destination (website, landing page) is mobile-optimized. Most QR code scans come from mobile devices. A non-mobile-friendly destination ruins the user experience and wastes your QR code investment.
Use URL Shorteners: Shorter URLs create simpler QR codes with fewer modules, making them easier to scan. They also look cleaner and allow for better error correction with logos. Plus, many URL shorteners provide analytics to track QR code performance.
Avoid Extreme Customization: While creative designs are tempting, overly stylized QR codes may not scan reliably. Rounded corners, decorative patterns, or low contrast can cause scanning failures. When in doubt, choose functionality over creativity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are QR codes generated by this tool free to use commercially?
Yes, absolutely! All QR codes generated by this tool are completely free for personal and commercial use with no restrictions. QR code technology is an open standard—no one owns the rights to QR codes themselves. You can use generated QR codes on products, marketing materials, websites, and anywhere else without attribution or payment.
Do QR codes expire or stop working?
Static QR codes (like those generated here) never expire. The information is encoded directly in the QR code pattern itself, so they'll work forever as long as the physical code remains scannable. However, if your QR code links to a URL, that website must remain active. If the website goes down or the URL changes, the QR code can't be updated—you'd need to generate a new one.
What's the difference between static and dynamic QR codes?
Static QR codes (generated by this tool) permanently encode information directly in the pattern. They never expire, work offline, and can't be edited after creation. Dynamic QR codes use a short URL that redirects to your content, allowing you to change the destination without reprinting. However, dynamic codes require a paid service, depend on that service staying active, and need internet connectivity. For most use cases, static codes are preferable.
Can all smartphones scan QR codes?
Yes! Modern iOS devices (iOS 11+) and Android devices (Android 9+) have built-in QR code scanning in their default camera apps. Users simply open the camera, point at the QR code, and tap the notification that appears. Older devices may need a dedicated QR scanner app from the app store. QR code scanning is now universal and doesn't require any special apps for most users.
How much information can a QR code store?
QR codes can store up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters or 7,089 numeric characters theoretically. However, practical limits are much lower. More data creates more complex QR codes with smaller modules, making them harder to scan. For best results, keep URLs under 100 characters, text under 300 characters, and vCards concise. Use URL shorteners for long links to create simpler, more scannable codes.
Is my data safe using this QR code generator?
Absolutely. All QR codes are generated entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No data is ever sent to our servers or any third party. Your WiFi passwords, contact information, URLs, and all other data remain completely private on your device. You can even use this tool offline once the page loads. Your sensitive information is never transmitted anywhere.
Why isn't my QR code scanning properly?
Common scanning issues: (1) Insufficient contrast—ensure dark foreground on light background. (2) Too small—minimum 2cm for close scanning. (3) Poor lighting—test under adequate light. (4) Damaged or dirty code—ensure clean, undamaged print. (5) No quiet zone—leave white space around the edges. (6) Too much data—simplify content or use higher error correction. (7) Low-quality printing—use high-resolution images (minimum 300 DPI).
Can I add a logo to my QR code?
Yes! QR codes use error correction that allows logos to cover the center while maintaining scannability. Keep logos under 30% of the QR code area and use high error correction (Q or H level). Simple, high-contrast logos work best. After adding a logo, always test scanning from expected distances to ensure reliability. Logo-embedded QR codes look more professional and build brand recognition.
Should I use PNG or SVG format?
Use PNG for digital displays, social media, websites, and standard printing. Use SVG for professional printing, signage, vehicle wraps, or when you need to scale to different sizes. SVG is vector-based and maintains perfect quality at any size, making it ideal for large-format printing. PNG is raster-based and may pixelate when enlarged significantly. For most use cases, PNG at 1000×1000px works perfectly.
Can I track how many people scan my QR code?
Static QR codes (generated here) don't have built-in tracking. However, you can create trackable QR codes by linking to a URL with UTM parameters (Google Analytics tracking) or using a URL shortener with analytics (bit.ly, TinyURL). These services show click counts, geographic data, and timestamps. For detailed scan analytics (device type, time of day, etc.), you'd need a dynamic QR code service, though static codes with URL tracking provide sufficient data for most use cases.
How QR Codes Work
QR Code Structure
QR codes have a specific structure that enables reliable scanning from any angle:
- Position Detection Patterns: Three large squares in corners allow scanners to detect code orientation and position instantly
- Alignment Patterns: Smaller squares help scanners read distorted codes on curved or damaged surfaces
- Timing Patterns: Alternating modules between position markers help determine module density
- Format Information: Encodes error correction level and mask pattern used
- Data and Error Correction: Main area stores your encoded information plus redundancy for recovery
- Quiet Zone: White border around the code helps scanners distinguish it from surroundings
Scanning Process
When you scan a QR code, here's what happens in milliseconds:
- Camera captures image and scanning software detects position markers
- Code orientation, size, and skew angle are calculated
- Timing patterns determine the grid size and module positions
- Data is read from modules (black = 1, white = 0) in specific pattern
- Error correction algorithms fix any corrupted or unclear modules
- Data is decoded according to the character encoding mode
- Result is presented to user (URL opens, text displays, contact saves, etc.)
Related Tools
Enhance your QR code workflow with these related tools: