QR Code Generator
Create a QR code for a link, WiFi network, email or phone number. Generated entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded, and the code never expires.
What a QR code actually holds
A QR code is a picture of text — usually a web address. Scanning it does not connect to any service; the camera simply reads the characters encoded in the pattern and hands them to your phone, which then opens the link. That means a QR code generated here works forever, offline, with no account and no tracking, because the destination is baked into the pattern itself. Codes that expire or need a subscription are "dynamic" codes: they encode a short redirect link owned by the provider, so if the provider disappears, so does your code.
Static versus dynamic QR codes
| Static (this tool) | Dynamic (subscription services) | |
|---|---|---|
| What is encoded | Your actual link or text | A short redirect owned by the provider |
| Expires | Never | When you stop paying |
| Editable later | No — regenerate instead | Yes |
| Scan tracking | None | Yes, by the provider |
| Works offline | Yes | Needs the provider's servers |
| Cost | Free | Usually monthly |
Use a static code for anything printed and permanent: a menu, a business card, a WiFi sign, a product label. Dynamic codes are only worth it when you genuinely need to change the destination after printing, or need scan analytics.
Which error-correction level to choose
QR codes carry redundant data so they still scan when partly obscured. More redundancy means a denser, larger pattern.
| Level | Damage tolerated | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| L (Low) | ~7% | Clean digital use, long URLs |
| M (Medium) | ~15% | The sensible default for most uses |
| Q (Quartile) | ~25% | Codes with a logo placed over the centre |
| H (High) | ~30% | Printed labels, outdoor signs, anything likely to scuff |
If you plan to drop a logo in the middle, use Q or H — the redundancy is what lets the code survive the covered area.
Getting QR codes to scan reliably in print
- Keep the quiet zone. The blank margin around the code must be at least four modules wide. Crowding it with text is the most common reason a code fails to scan.
- Size for the scan distance. A rough rule is a code width of at least one tenth of the intended scanning distance: 2 cm for 20 cm away, 30 cm for a poster read from 3 metres.
- Keep the contrast dark-on-light. Inverted codes (light on dark) fail on many scanners. Avoid low-contrast pairings entirely.
- Use SVG for print. It stays sharp at any size. PNG at 1024 px or more is fine for most documents.
- Shorten long links first. Fewer characters means a lower version with larger modules, which scans far more easily.
- Test before you print a thousand. Scan it with both an iPhone and an Android device, in the lighting where it will actually live.
How to use the QR Code Generator
- Choose what the code should do — open a link, join a WiFi network, start an email, or dial a number.
- Fill in the details. The preview updates as you type.
- Adjust the error-correction level and colours if you need to.
- Download as PNG for screens and documents, or SVG for print at any size.
Frequently asked questions
Are these QR codes really free, with no expiry?
Yes. The code encodes your link directly, so there is nothing to expire and no account behind it. Download it once and it will keep working indefinitely, including offline.
Is my data sent to a server?
No. The entire QR encoder runs in your browser. WiFi passwords, email addresses and links never leave your device — you can disconnect from the internet and this page still generates codes.
Can I put a logo in the middle?
Yes, using any image editor. Set error correction to Q or H first, and keep the logo under about 25% of the code’s width. Always test the result before printing.
How much data fits in a QR code?
Up to about 2,900 bytes of text at the lowest error-correction level, though codes that large are hard to scan. For links, staying under 300 characters keeps the pattern comfortably readable.
Why does my QR code not scan?
The usual causes are too little quiet zone around the edge, printing it too small for the scan distance, poor contrast, or an inverted colour scheme. Try a larger size with high error correction and plain black on white.
Can I use these codes commercially?
Yes. QR code patents expired long ago and the format is an open ISO standard. Codes made here carry no watermark and no licence conditions.
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Last reviewed September 4, 2026. Results are estimates for general information only.