About QR Code Generator
Generate QR codes for URLs, text, email, Wi-Fi, and phone numbers. Customize size and error correction, then download as PNG or SVG. Free QR code maker, no signup needed.
How to use
- Select the QR code type from the dropdown: URL, plain text, email address, phone number, Wi-Fi credentials, vCard contact, or SMS message. Each type uses a standardized encoding format that phones and QR readers recognize automatically. For example, a URL type prepends
https:// if missing, while a Wi-Fi type encodes the credentials in the WIFI:T:WPA;S:NetworkName;P:Password;; format that Android and iOS both understand.
- Enter the content you want to encode into the QR code. For URLs, paste the full link including https://. For Wi-Fi, enter your network name (SSID), password, and encryption type. For vCards, fill in the contact name, phone, and email fields. QR codes can hold up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters at the lowest error correction level, but shorter content produces smaller, faster-scanning codes.
- Adjust the output size and error correction level if needed. Size controls the pixel dimensions of the generated image — 256x256 is fine for screens, but use 512x512 or larger for print. Error correction (L/M/Q/H) determines how much of the QR code can be damaged or obscured while remaining scannable. Use level M (15% recovery) for most purposes, and level H (30% recovery) if you plan to place a logo in the center of the QR code.
- Preview the QR code in real time, then download it as PNG for digital use (websites, social media, presentations, email signatures) or SVG for print materials (business cards, posters, product packaging, menus). SVG files are vector-based and scale to any size without pixelation, making them ideal for large-format printing. Test your QR code with your phone's camera before distributing it to ensure it scans correctly.
Frequently asked questions
What can I put in a QR code?
QR codes can encode several types of structured data: URLs (the most common use — phones open the link automatically), plain text, email addresses (opens a pre-filled compose window), phone numbers (triggers a call or saves to contacts), Wi-Fi credentials (connects to the network without typing a password), vCard contacts (saves a full contact card with name, phone, email, and address), calendar events (adds to the phone's calendar), and SMS messages (opens a pre-filled text message). The maximum capacity is 4,296 alphanumeric characters or 2,953 bytes of binary data.
What is error correction?
QR codes include redundant data that allows them to remain scannable even when part of the image is damaged, dirty, or obscured. There are four error correction levels: L (Low, recovers up to 7% damage), M (Medium, 15%), Q (Quartile, 25%), and H (High, 30%). Higher error correction makes the QR code denser (more modules/dots) because more redundant data is encoded, but it also makes the code more resilient. Level H is commonly used when you want to place a small logo in the center of the QR code — the logo effectively 'damages' that area, and high error correction compensates.
PNG or SVG?
Use SVG for any print material — business cards, posters, product packaging, restaurant menus, event badges, and flyers. SVG is a vector format that scales to any size without pixelation, so a QR code that looks crisp on a business card will look equally crisp on a billboard. Use PNG for digital applications — websites, social media posts, email newsletters, and presentations — where a fixed pixel size is expected. For web use, 256x256 or 512x512 PNG is typically sufficient.
Do QR codes expire?
Static QR codes (like the ones this tool generates) never expire because the data is encoded directly in the image itself — there is no external server involved. As long as the encoded content is valid (e.g., the URL still works), the QR code will function forever. Dynamic QR codes from paid services work differently: they encode a redirect URL that points to the service's server, which then forwards to your destination. If that service shuts down or you stop paying, the redirect breaks and the QR code effectively expires.
How do I make a Wi-Fi QR code?
Select the Wi-Fi type from the dropdown, then enter your network name (SSID), password, and encryption type (WPA/WPA2 for most modern networks, WEP for legacy, or leave blank for open networks). The tool generates a QR code using the standard WIFI:T:WPA;S:YourNetwork;P:YourPassword;; format. When someone scans it with their phone camera (Android 10+ and iOS 11+ support this natively), they are prompted to connect to the network automatically without having to type the password. This is especially useful for businesses, Airbnb hosts, and shared office spaces.
What size should my QR code be for printing?
The general rule is a minimum of 2cm x 2cm (about 0.8 inches) for close-range scanning like business cards and product labels. For posters and signage, follow the 10:1 ratio — for every 10 feet of scanning distance, the QR code should be at least 1 inch in size. A poster scanned from 3 feet away should have a QR code at least 3.6 inches across. Always print a test and scan it from the intended distance before mass production. Use the SVG download format for print to ensure sharp edges at any size.
Can I add a logo to the center of my QR code?
QR codes with center logos work because error correction rebuilds the data covered by the logo. To do this safely, generate your QR code at error correction level H (30%), download the SVG or high-resolution PNG, then overlay your logo in a design tool like Figma, Canva, or Photoshop. Keep the logo small — no more than 20-25% of the QR code area — and ensure it has a clear border separating it from the QR modules. Always test the final image by scanning it before distributing.
Are QR codes secure?
QR codes themselves are simply a data encoding format — they have no inherent security or encryption. The security risk comes from what they encode. A malicious QR code could link to a phishing website, trigger a phone call to a premium number, or auto-download a file. Always preview the decoded content before taking action, especially for QR codes found in public places. For encoding sensitive data like Wi-Fi passwords, note that anyone who photographs the QR code can decode the password, so treat physical QR codes like written passwords.
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