QR Code Generator

Generate QR codes for URLs, WiFi, vCards, and more. Custom colours and logo. No account required, no watermarks, no data sent to any server. Download as PNG or true vector SVG.

Free to use. Runs in your browser.

Enter a URL, text, Wi-Fi password, or contact card to generate a QR code. Download as PNG or as a true vector SVG that scales to any size without quality loss. Use Batch mode to generate up to 50 QR codes at once and download them all in a single ZIP file. Customise colour, size, and error correction level (L / M / Q / H). Frames export as PNG only.

Keep the QR pattern dark on a light background for reliable scanning, and add a logo to lock error correction to Level H so the code still scans with the centre covered.

QR Code Type

Content

URL

Customise

QR Code Colour

Background

Error Correction

Preview

Enter content above to generate QR code

QR codes are generated locally in your browser. No data is sent to any server.

Create a QR Code for Your Website in Seconds

Paste your website URL into the URL field, choose your colours if you want a branded code, and click Download PNG or SVG. The whole process takes under a minute and the code is free to use forever with no watermark and no account required. Every QR code is generated in your browser: your URL, WiFi password, or contact details are never sent to any server.

For posters and large-format print, download as SVG: it is a true vector file that scales to any size without pixelation. For websites, emails, and social media, PNG is the right choice. Need more than one code? Switch to Batch mode, paste up to 50 URLs one per line, and download them all in a single ZIP file.

How QR Codes Work

QR (Quick Response) codes store data in a two-dimensional grid of black and white modules. When your phone camera scans the pattern, it decodes the data, usually a URL, but it can be text, WiFi credentials, contact details, or any string of characters.

Think of a QR code like a very efficient barcode that works in two dimensions instead of one. A traditional barcode reads left-to-right and holds maybe 20 characters. A QR code reads both horizontally and vertically, packing thousands of characters into a small square. The three large squares in the corners are finder patterns, they tell the scanner which way the code is oriented, so it works even if you scan it upside down or at an angle.

QR codes use Reed-Solomon error correction, which means they still work even if part of the code is damaged or obscured. At the highest level (Level H), up to 30% of the code can be covered, which is why you can put a logo in the centre and it still scans. This is the same error correction technology used in satellite communications and Blu-ray discs.

Everything runs in your browser. The QR code is generated client-side using the qrcode.react library. Your data is never sent to any server, which matters when you're generating codes with WiFi passwords, contact details, or private URLs.

Static vs Dynamic QR Codes

This is the single most important decision you'll make when creating a QR code, and most people get it wrong.

Static QR Codes

The data is baked directly into the code pattern. What you encode is what gets decoded, forever. No internet connection needed to read the data (for non-URL types like WiFi or vCard).

Best for: WiFi passwords, vCards, text that won't change, one-time-use codes.

This tool generates static codes, free, no tracking, no expiry.

Dynamic QR Codes

The code contains a short redirect URL. The destination can be changed after printing without reprinting the code. Usually includes scan analytics (how many, when, where).

Best for: Marketing campaigns, menus you update often, anything where you want scan tracking.

Requires a paid service (Bitly, QR Code Generator Pro, etc.)

The workaround: You can get most benefits of dynamic codes for free. Generate a static QR code pointing to a URL you control (your own website or a link shortener). When you need to change the destination, update the redirect on your server, the QR code stays the same. You won't get scan analytics, but you won't pay a monthly fee either.

Error Correction Levels

Level	Recovery	Best For	Trade-off
L (Low)	~7% damage	Digital-only use, clean display	Smallest code
M (Medium)	~15% damage	General purpose, good default	Balanced
Q (Quartile)	~25% damage	Printed materials that may get worn	Larger code
H (High)	~30% damage	Logo overlay, outdoor signage	Largest code

Higher error correction means a denser (larger) QR code because extra data modules are added for redundancy. If you're embedding a logo in the centre, use Level H, you're deliberately covering part of the code, so you need maximum recovery. For a clean digital code on a screen, Level L keeps things small and simple.

Data Capacity

A standard QR code can hold a surprising amount of data, but size matters, more data means a denser, harder-to-scan code:

Data Type	Max Characters	Real-World Example
Numeric only	7,089 digits	Phone numbers, product codes, tracking IDs
Alphanumeric	4,296 characters	URLs, short messages, serial numbers
Binary (UTF-8)	2,953 bytes	vCards, WiFi config, calendar events, JSON

Practical limit: Keep your data under 200-300 characters for codes that scan reliably at normal print sizes. A typical URL (50-80 characters) is well within range. Long data produces codes with tiny modules that need a high-res print to scan. If your content is longer than 300 characters, consider hosting it on a webpage and encoding the URL instead.

QR Code Data Formats

QR codes aren't just for URLs. Your phone recognises specific data formats and takes action automatically, connecting to WiFi, saving a contact, or opening your email app. Here's every format you can use:

Format	Syntax	Max Length	Notes
URL	https://example.com/page	~2,000 chars	Most common use. Use HTTPS, some phones warn on HTTP links
WiFi	WIFI:T:WPA;S:NetworkName;P:Password;;	~200 chars	Phone connects automatically. T = security type (WPA/WEP/nopass)
vCard	BEGIN:VCARD\nVERSION:3.0\nN:Last;First\n...	~300 chars	Saves contact directly to phone. Keep fields minimal for reliable scanning
Email	mailto:user%40example.com?subject=Hi	~200 chars	Opens email app with pre-filled address and subject line
SMS	smsto:+447700900000:Your message here	~160 chars	Opens messaging app. Some phones use 'sms:' instead of 'smsto:'
Phone call	tel:+447700900000	~30 chars	Opens dialler with number pre-filled. Include country code
Geo location	geo:latitude,longitude	~50 chars	Opens maps app at exact coordinates. Great for finding venues
Calendar event	BEGIN:VEVENT\nSUMMARY:Event\n...	~500 chars	Adds event to phone calendar. Include date, time, location
Plain text	Any text string	~2,953 bytes	Displays text on screen. No automatic action, just shows the content

Pro tip: WiFi and vCard formats are the most underused. A WiFi QR code eliminates the "what's the password?" conversation entirely, and a vCard code means your contact details are saved correctly every time, no typos, no missing digits.

Print Size & Scanning Distance Guide

The number one reason QR codes fail in the real world isn't the code itself, it's the print size. A code that scans perfectly on your laptop screen might be useless on a poster across the room. Use this guide to pick the right size for your use case.

For an A4 poster, print the code at least 40mm x 40mm. For an A3 poster, use at least 60mm x 60mm. Download as SVG from this tool for crisp edges at any print size without pixelation.

Scenario	Min Size	Scan Distance	DPI	Notes
Business card	15×15 mm	10-15 cm	300+	Keep data under 50 characters for clean scan at this size
Table tent / counter card	25×25 mm	15-30 cm	300	Perfect for restaurant menus and WiFi codes
A5 flyer / leaflet	30×30 mm	20-40 cm	300	Standard handout size, most people scan at arm's length
A4 poster / document	40×40 mm	30-60 cm	300	Works well for office doors, notice boards, and forms
A3 poster	60×60 mm	0.5-1 m	300	Wall-mounted posters in corridors or waiting rooms
A2 poster / banner	100×100 mm	1-2 m	150+	Event signage, retail displays
A1 poster	150×150 mm	1.5-3 m	150	Conference backdrops, exhibition stands
Billboard / hoarding	500×500 mm	3-10 m	72+	Use Level H error correction and short URLs only
Product label (small)	10×10 mm	5-10 cm	600+	Numeric-only data or ultra-short URLs. Needs high-res print
Product label (medium)	20×20 mm	10-20 cm	300+	Standard food packaging, cosmetics, supplements
Retail shelf tag	15×15 mm	10-15 cm	300+	Price tags, product info links
Sticker / label roll	20×20 mm	10-20 cm	300	Asset tracking, inventory management
Window display	100×100 mm	0.5-1.5 m	150+	Estate agent listings, shop hours, special offers
Exhibition stand	200×200 mm	2-4 m	150	Trade shows, attendees scan from across the aisle
Vehicle wrap / van livery	200×200 mm	2-5 m	150	People scan parked vehicles, not moving ones. Keep it large
Wristband / lanyard	12×12 mm	5-10 cm	600+	Event check-in. Numeric/short alphanumeric only
Badge / name tag	15×15 mm	10-15 cm	300+	Networking events, link to LinkedIn or vCard
Ticket (printed)	20×20 mm	10-15 cm	300	Concert/event tickets scanned by staff at close range
Email / digital screen	150×150 px	15-30 cm	Screen (72-96)	Digital codes don't need high DPI, pixel count matters
TV / presentation slide	200×200 px	1-3 m	Screen	Audience scans from seats. Use short URL and Level H

Rule of thumb: The minimum QR code size should be 1/10th of the expected scanning distance. If people will scan from 1 metre away, make the code at least 10 cm wide. If they're scanning from 15 cm (phone held over a business card), 15 mm is enough.

Industry Use Cases & Tips

Every industry uses QR codes differently. Search for your industry to find specific use cases, recommended settings, and tips from people who've done it before.

Industry	Use Case	Data Type	Error Level	Tip
Restaurants & Cafés	Digital menu	URL	M	Use a URL you control so you can update the menu without reprinting the code
Restaurants & Cafés	WiFi access	WiFi	H	WiFi QR codes work offline, the phone connects directly without opening a browser
Restaurants & Cafés	Google Reviews link	URL	M	Put it on the receipt or table card. Catch people while the experience is fresh
Retail	Product details / reviews	URL	M	Link to a mobile-optimised page, not a PDF. Customers are on phones
Retail	Loyalty programme signup	URL	M	Fewer fields = more signups. Pre-fill what you can from the QR payload
Retail	Click-and-collect pickup	URL/ID	L	Short numeric order IDs scan fastest at small sizes on receipts
Real Estate	Property listing / virtual tour	URL	H	Use Level H, outdoor signs get dirty. Link to a page with photos and floor plan
Healthcare	Patient check-in form	URL	M	GDPR/HIPAA: the QR code itself should contain only a URL, never patient data
Healthcare	Medication information	URL	M	Link to the official PIL (Patient Information Leaflet) for the medication
Education	Classroom materials / handouts	URL	M	Link to Google Drive or OneDrive folder. Students scan once, bookmark, access all term
Education	Library book check-out	Alphanumeric	L	ISBN or catalogue number encoded as alphanumeric for quick scanning
Events & Conferences	Ticket / check-in	Alphanumeric	M	Include a unique ID, not the full booking details. Look up the rest server-side
Events & Conferences	Session schedule	URL	M	Link to a live schedule page that updates if rooms change
Events & Conferences	Networking / vCard exchange	vCard	M	vCards can get long. Include name, email, phone, company, skip the photo
Marketing & Advertising	Campaign landing page	URL	M	Add UTM parameters to track which physical placement drove the scan
Marketing & Advertising	App download link	URL	M	Use a smart link that detects iOS vs Android and redirects accordingly
Manufacturing	Inventory / asset tracking	Alphanumeric	Q	Use Level Q, warehouse labels get scuffed. Encode the asset ID, not a URL
Construction	Safety data sheets	URL	H	Level H for outdoor site conditions. Link to current SDS, not a static PDF
Tourism	Audio guide / info point	URL	H	Link to a multilingual page. Use Level H, outdoor plaques weather badly
Fitness & Gyms	Class timetable / booking	URL	M	Link to a live timetable. Print the code on the studio door or reception desk
Non-profit	Donation page	URL	M	Link directly to the payment page, not the homepage. Remove friction
Government	Public forms / services	URL	M	Link to the specific form, not a portal. Citizens want one click, not a treasure hunt
Transport	Boarding pass / ticket	Alphanumeric	M	Airline boarding passes use Aztec codes, but QR works for trains and buses
Automotive	Vehicle service history	URL	Q	Sticker inside door frame. Level Q handles oil smudges and wear

Showing 24 of 24 use cases.

Worked Example: Coffee Shop WiFi & Review Cards

The situation: Maya runs a small coffee shop in Manchester. She's tired of writing the WiFi password on the chalkboard (customers keep misreading it), and she wants more Google Reviews to boost her local SEO.

Step 1: WiFi QR Code

Maya types her network name "BeanScene_5G" and password "FlatWhite2024!" into the WiFi tab. She selects Level H error correction (the code will be on a table card that gets coffee spilled on it). She downloads it as PNG at 1024px.

Step 2: Google Reviews QR Code

She grabs her Google Business review link (search your business on Google → "Ask for reviews" → copy link). She pastes the URL and generates a second code at Level M, these cards stay behind the counter, so they won't get damaged.

Step 3: Print & Place

She prints the WiFi code at 40mm × 40mm on table tent cards (scanned from 30-40 cm). The review code goes on the receipt holder at 25mm × 25mm (scanned from 15-20 cm). Both include a short text label, "Scan for WiFi" and "Enjoyed your visit? Leave a review."

Result

WiFi complaints dropped to zero. Google Reviews went from 2-3 per month to 15-20 per month. The WiFi code paid for itself the first day, no more staff time spent spelling passwords. Total cost: printer ink and card stock.

Worked Example: vCard QR Code for a Business Card

The situation: Tariq is a freelance architect in Birmingham. He hands out printed business cards at networking events and wants people to save his contact details without typos.

Step 1: Fill in the vCard fields

Tariq selects the vCard tab. He fills in: Full Name "Tariq Hussain", Phone "+44 7911 123456", Email "[email protected]", Company "TH Architects Ltd", and Job Title "Director". He leaves the photo field empty: photos make vCard data longer and can cause scanning failures at small print sizes.

Step 2: Choose error correction and colours

His business cards are printed on uncoated stock so he chooses Level M. If the cards were going to be laminated or handled frequently, Level H would be safer. He enters his brand hex (#1a3a5c, a dark navy) as the foreground colour and leaves the background white for maximum contrast.

Step 3: Download and print size

He downloads as SVG and places it in his InDesign business card template at 25mm × 25mm. That is large enough to scan from 15 to 20 cm, the natural distance when someone holds a business card. He scans the proof on both an iPhone and a Samsung before sending to print.

Result

Contacts are saved instantly and accurately. No one asks him to spell his email address. The QR code also doubles as proof of digital fluency at architecture and construction networking events.

Colour & Design Best Practices

You can customise QR code colours, but there are real technical constraints. Get these wrong and your beautifully branded code won't scan.

Do

• Dark foreground on light background
• Minimum 40% contrast ratio between colours
• Black on white for maximum reliability
• Dark blue, dark green, or dark red on white
• Test with 3+ different phones before printing

Don't

• Light foreground on dark background (inverted)
• Yellow or light colours as foreground
• Gradient colours across the code
• Red foreground on green background (colour blindness)
• Transparent background without testing

Logo placement: If you're adding a logo to the centre, keep it within 20% of the total code area and use Level H error correction. The logo covers data modules, error correction recreates them, but only up to a point. A logo that's too large will break the code silently (it generates fine but won't scan).

Printing Tips

Minimum print size: 2 cm × 2 cm for close-range scanning (menus, cards). 10 cm × 10 cm for posters scanned from 1-2 metres away. See the size guide above for specific scenarios.
Quiet zone: Leave white space around the code equal to at least 4 modules wide. Crowding the code against other design elements makes scanning unreliable. This white border is part of the QR code specification, not optional decoration.
Contrast: Dark modules on a light background. The scanner needs clear contrast. Avoid pastel-on-pastel colour schemes. When in doubt, stick with black on white.
Surface matters: Glossy surfaces create glare under certain lighting. Matt or satin finishes scan more reliably, especially under fluorescent lights. If you must use gloss, test under the lighting conditions where it'll be displayed.
Test before printing. Always scan the code with at least two different phones (one iOS, one Android) before sending it to print. What looks fine on screen can fail when printed at a different size or on a textured material.
Download as SVG for print. SVG is vector-based and scales to any size without pixelation. PNG works for digital use, but if you're printing larger than 5 cm, SVG gives you crisp edges at any size.

When to choose SVG over PNG

SVG is a true vector file: the QR modules are mathematical paths, not pixels. Use SVG when:

• Printing at A4 size or larger (poster, banner, signage, vehicle livery)
• Placing the code into a professional design tool such as Illustrator, InDesign, or Affinity Publisher
• Embedding a scalable code on a website where it must stay sharp at any screen size

Use PNG for emails, social media posts, PowerPoint slides, and anywhere a raster file is required. Note: if a frame is selected, only PNG export is available.

Common Mistakes

Encoding a dead URL

The QR code works perfectly, but the link is broken. Always test the destination URL before generating the code. Better yet, use a URL you control so you can fix it later without reprinting.

Printing too small

A code that scans on your screen might not scan when printed at 10mm on a business card. More data = more modules = larger minimum print size. Keep data short or print bigger.

No quiet zone

Butting the QR code right against text, images, or the edge of the paper. The white border around the code is required, scanners use it to find the edges of the code.

Low contrast colours

Light grey on white, or branded colours that look nice but don't have enough contrast. Phone cameras in auto mode struggle with low contrast, especially in dim lighting.

Oversized logo overlay

A logo covering more than 20-25% of the code area, even with Level H. The code generates and looks fine, but older phones and scanners can't read it. Test on budget phones, not just the latest iPhone.

HTTP instead of HTTPS

Some phones show a security warning for HTTP links, which scares users. Some browsers block HTTP entirely. Always use HTTPS URLs. It's 2026, there's no reason not to.

QR Code vs Barcode, When to Use Which

Feature	QR Code	Barcode (1D)
Data capacity	Up to 7,089 characters	~20-25 characters
Data types	URLs, text, WiFi, vCard, binary	Numbers, limited alphanumeric
Scan angle	Any angle (360°)	Must be roughly horizontal
Error correction	7-30% damage recovery	None or very limited
Size (same data)	Compact square	Wider rectangle
Phone scannable	Built into every camera app	Needs a barcode scanner app
Best for	Consumer-facing, marketing, digital	Retail POS, inventory, logistics

Bottom line: If a person will scan it with their phone, use a QR code. If a machine will scan it at a checkout or warehouse, a barcode is usually the standard. Many products now include both.

Testing & Troubleshooting

Code won't scan at all

Check contrast first, is the foreground significantly darker than the background? Then check the quiet zone. Then try reducing the data length. More data = more modules = harder to scan at small sizes.

Scans on iPhone but not Android (or vice versa)

Usually a contrast issue. iPhones tend to have better camera processing for low-contrast codes. Increase contrast or bump up the error correction level. Always test on both platforms.

WiFi code doesn't connect

Check the security type matches your router (WPA2 is most common). Check for typos in the password, the QR code encodes exactly what you type. Special characters like semicolons in passwords need escaping.

vCard doesn't save all fields

Some phones ignore vCard fields they don't recognise. Stick to the basics: name (FN), phone (TEL), email (EMAIL), and organisation (ORG). Extended fields like social media profiles are unreliable.

Code scans but shows garbled text

Character encoding issue. Make sure your text uses UTF-8. Non-Latin characters (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese) work but produce denser codes. Keep non-ASCII text short.

Printed code is blurry

You downloaded a PNG at too low a resolution and scaled it up. Either download at a higher pixel size (1024px or 2048px) or use SVG, it scales to any size without quality loss.

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How to use this tool

Enter a URL, text, email, phone number, or WiFi credentials

Customise colours, error correction level (L / M / Q / H), and optionally add a logo

Download as PNG or as a true vector SVG for print or digital use

Common uses

Linking to a website or landing page from printed materials
Sharing WiFi credentials with guests instantly
Adding contact details to business cards
Creating scannable event tickets or menus

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are the QR codes free to use commercially?

Yes. QR codes generated here are completely free for any use, personal, commercial, print, or digital. There are no watermarks, no limits, and no attribution required.

Is there a watermark on generated QR codes?

No. There is no watermark of any kind on codes generated here, whether you download as PNG or SVG. The file is clean and ready for commercial or personal use with no attribution required.

Do I need to create an account to use this tool?

No account, no sign-up, no email address required. Open the tool, generate your QR code, and download it. Everything runs in your browser.

How do I make a QR code for my website?

Paste your website URL into the URL field at the top of the tool. Choose your colours if you want a branded code. Click the Download PNG or Download SVG button. The whole process takes under a minute and the code is free to use forever with no watermark.

Can I use my brand colours in the QR code?

Yes. Enter any hex colour code for both the QR pattern and the background using the text field next to the colour picker. Eight one-click presets are included, or type your brand hex directly. The foreground must be significantly darker than the background: black modules on a white or light brand background scan most reliably.

How do I generate multiple QR codes at once?

Switch to Batch mode using the tab at the top of the tool. Paste up to 50 URLs or text strings, one per line. Click Parse and Preview, then Download All to receive a ZIP file containing individually named PNG files. All generation happens in your browser.

Do QR codes expire?

No. Static QR codes (like those generated here) never expire. The data is encoded directly in the pattern. As long as the destination URL or content exists, the QR code will work forever.

Can I add my logo to the QR code?

Yes. Upload a PNG or JPG logo (under 1MB) in the Logo tab. When a logo is set, error correction is automatically locked to Level H (30% recovery) so the QR code remains scannable even with a centre logo covering part of the pattern. When you download as SVG, the QR modules are true vectors but the logo is embedded as a raster image inside the SVG.

What size should I use for printing?

For business cards and small print, 256px (Medium) works well. For posters and signage, use 512px (Large) or 1024px (Print). As a rule of thumb, the QR code should be at least 2cm × 2cm at final print size.

PNG or SVG, which should I download?

PNG is a raster image, good for web, social media, and most print jobs. SVG is a true vector format generated directly from the QR module data, so it scales to any size without quality loss, making it ideal for large-format printing and professional design work. If a logo is present, the logo is embedded as a raster image inside the SVG file. Frames export as PNG only.

How do I create a WiFi QR code (WPA2, WEP, or open network)?

Select the WiFi type, enter your network name (SSID), password, and choose your encryption type from the dropdown: WPA/WPA2 (the most common), WEP (older networks), or None for open networks. The generated QR code lets anyone scan and connect to your WiFi without typing the password. WPA2 is the standard for most home and business routers.

What is a vCard QR code?

A vCard QR code stores contact information, name, phone, email, company, and job title. When scanned, it adds the contact directly to the phone's address book. Perfect for business cards and networking events.

How do I create a vCard QR code for a business card?

Select the vCard tab and fill in your name, phone, email, company, and job title. For a business card print, use error correction level M on clean card stock or level H if the card will be laminated. Download as SVG and print at 25 to 30mm for reliable scanning at arm's length. Your contact is saved directly to the scanner's phone address book with no typos.

Is my data stored anywhere?

No. QR codes are generated entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No data is sent to any server. Your URLs, WiFi passwords, and contact details remain completely private.

How many characters can a QR code hold?

A standard QR code can store up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters. For URLs, this is more than enough. Very long URLs might create denser (harder to scan) codes, consider using a URL shortener for extremely long links.

What colours work best for QR codes?

High contrast is essential, dark QR pattern on a light background. Black on white is the most reliable. Avoid light colours on light backgrounds or dark on dark. Most scanners struggle with inverted (light-on-dark) QR codes.

What is a QR code frame?

Frames add a decorative border around your QR code with a call-to-action like 'Scan Me'. They make the QR code more noticeable on printed materials. Framed QR codes export as PNG only.

Results are for general informational purposes only and should be checked before use. They are not professional advice. See our Disclaimer and Terms of Service.