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QR Code Generator

Generate QR codes from URLs, text, Wi-Fi credentials, or vCard contact data. Download as PNG instantly — free, no signup, runs in your browser.

TL;DR. Paste any URL, text, or schema string (Wi-Fi, vCard, tel:) into the input and the QR code renders in real time at 512px. Click Download PNG to save a print-ready file. Generated at EC Level M by default — reliable for most printed and screen use cases. Nothing is sent to a server; the qrcode library runs entirely in your browser.

QR Codes are generated in real-time. Large amounts of text will produce complex patterns that are harder to scan.

Enter text to generate QR code

How to use the QR code generator

  1. Paste your content. Type or paste a URL, plain text, a Wi-Fi credential string (WIFI:S:NetworkName;T:WPA;P:password;;), a vCard block, a tel: phone number, or a mailto: address. The code updates instantly.
  2. Check the preview. The code is rendered at 512 x 512 pixels with a 2-module quiet zone margin. If the pattern looks extremely dense, your input is long — consider shortening the URL with a tracking redirect to improve scan reliability.
  3. Download the PNG. Click Download PNG to save the file. The image is 512px square, suitable for most digital use. For large-format print (posters, banners), scale up in a vector tool or request SVG output from a dedicated print service.
  4. Test before publishing. Always scan your own QR code with at least two different devices (iPhone camera, Android camera app, dedicated QR app) before printing or publishing. A code that works at 512px on screen may fail at 2cm on paper if the quiet zone is cropped.
  5. Add a quiet zone when embedding. When placing the PNG in a design, leave at least 4 module widths of white space on all sides. Cropping into the quiet zone is the single most common cause of scan failure in print materials.

QR code specifications cheatsheet

Use this reference table when deciding on error correction level, size, and data format for your use case.

Spec / SchemaDetail
EC Level L (7%)Most compact. Use for clean digital display only
EC Level M (15%)Default for most use cases; good balance of size and robustness
EC Level Q (25%)Recommended for printed marketing materials
EC Level H (30%)Use when embedding logo or printing on curved/rough surfaces
Min print size2 cm x 2 cm for arm-length scanning; scale 1:10 for distance
Quiet zone4 module widths of white space on all 4 sides - never crop this
URL capacity (safe)Keep under 300 chars for reliable wide-device scanning
Wi-Fi schemaWIFI:S:SSID;T:WPA;P:password;; (end with double semicolon)
vCard schemaBEGIN:VCARD\nFN:Name\nTEL:+1234\nEMAIL:[email protected]\nEND:VCARD
Color contrastMinimum 3:1 dark:light ratio; avoid red modules (LED scanners)
Version 121x21 modules, holds up to 41 numeric or 25 alphanumeric chars
Version 40177x177 modules, holds up to 7,089 numeric or 4,296 alphanumeric
Logo overlay limitKeep logo under 30% of code area; always use EC Level H

Practical QR code examples

  • Business card URL: Encode your LinkedIn or personal site URL. Keep it under 50 characters for maximum compatibility. Use your own domain with a redirect (e.g. yourname.com/card) so you can update the destination without reprinting.
  • Wi-Fi guest access: Paste WIFI:S:GuestNetwork;T:WPA;P:hunter2;; and print it on a card at reception. Guests scan and join without typing. Note the double semicolon at the end - it is required by the Wi-Fi QR spec.
  • Restaurant menu link: Point to a PDF or web menu URL. Print at minimum 3 cm x 3 cm on table cards. Use EC Level Q or H because restaurant environments involve grease, moisture, and poor lighting.
  • Event check-in: Encode a unique attendee ID or booking reference. Keep the string short (under 40 chars) so the code version stays low and modules stay large enough to scan quickly in a queue.
  • App store deep link: Use https://apps.apple.com/app/id... or a universal link. Apple's camera recognises App Store URLs and shows a native prompt. Android handles Play Store URLs similarly.
  • Tracking links: Use a UTM-tagged URL or a short link service with click analytics. You can see scan counts and locations in your analytics dashboard, which is especially useful for print campaigns where you cannot otherwise track engagement.

Frequently asked questions

What data types can I encode in a QR code?+
QR codes can encode plain text, URLs, Wi-Fi credentials (WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:mypassword;;), vCard contact data, email addresses (mailto:), phone numbers (tel:), SMS (smsto:), calendar events (BEGIN:VEVENT), UPI payment strings, and raw binary. The qrcode library used here handles all of these as text input - just paste the schema string and the code encodes it automatically. URL is the most common use case because every smartphone camera app scans and opens URLs natively without a dedicated QR app.
What is error correction and which level should I choose?+
Error correction lets a QR scanner recover data even if part of the code is obscured, dirty, or damaged. There are four levels: L (Low, 7% recovery), M (Medium, 15%), Q (Quartile, 25%), and H (High, 30%). Higher levels add redundancy which makes the code denser and harder to scan at small sizes. For screen display or clean print, M is a good default. Use H only when the code will be printed on curved surfaces, embedded in a logo, or placed in environments where dirt and wear are expected.
What is the maximum data capacity of a QR code?+
QR codes come in 40 versions. Version 1 is a 21x21 module grid holding up to 41 numeric characters. Version 40 is a 177x177 grid holding up to 7,089 numeric characters, 4,296 alphanumeric characters, or 2,953 bytes of binary data. In practice, keep URLs under 300 characters for reliable scanning at typical print sizes. Longer data makes the modules smaller and demands higher scanner precision. Use a URL shortener if your target URL is long.
What is the minimum safe print size for a QR code?+
The industry rule of thumb is at least 2 cm x 2 cm (about 0.8 inches square) for a code scanned at arm's length. For outdoor signage or codes meant to be scanned from over 1 meter away, scale up proportionally - roughly 1 cm of code width per 10 cm of scanning distance. Always include a quiet zone (white border) of at least 4 module widths on all sides. Cutting into the quiet zone is one of the most common causes of scan failure.
Can QR codes be used for phishing or malware?+
Yes. A QR code encodes a URL that a scanner opens automatically, so malicious actors can create codes linking to phishing pages, malware downloads, or credential-harvesting sites. Never scan a QR code from an untrusted source without first previewing the URL in your scanner app. When creating codes for public display, use a tracked short link so you can see the destination URL in your analytics dashboard and detect if it has been tampered with.
How do I make my QR code scannable with a custom color or logo?+
The critical requirement is a minimum 3:1 contrast ratio between the dark modules and the light background. Black on white is ideal. Dark navy, dark brown, or dark green on white also works. Light-on-dark (white modules on a dark background) is officially supported but some older apps struggle with it. Avoid red modules on any background - many scanners use red LEDs which make red patterns invisible. If embedding a logo in the center, keep it under 30% of the code area and use error correction level H to compensate for the obscured modules.

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