QR code generator
Make a QR code for anything in seconds.
- 8 content types, including Wi-Fi
- Custom colors and a center logo
- PNG and SVG download
How to make a QR code
- Pick a content type and fill in the details.
- Set the size, colors and error correction level.
- Download the code as PNG or SVG.
What each content type does when scanned
| Type | What it does on scan |
|---|---|
| URL | Opens the link in the phone's browser |
| Text | Shows the plain text on screen |
| Wi-Fi | Prompts to join the network with the password filled in |
| Opens a new email already addressed, with subject and body filled in | |
| Phone | Starts a phone call to the number |
| SMS | Opens a new text message with the number and message filled in |
| Contact card | Offers to save the details as a new contact |
| Location | Opens the phone's maps app at that latitude and longitude |
Choosing an error correction level
Error correction adds extra data so a code still scans if part of it is dirty, torn or covered. Higher levels also make the pattern denser for the same content.
| Level | Recovers | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| L | about 7% | Clean digital display, no printing |
| M | about 15% | General printing, the default here |
| Q | about 25% | Outdoor signage, labels that get handled |
| H | about 30% | Any code with a logo in the center |
Adding a center logo covers part of the pattern, so this tool switches to H automatically whenever a logo is uploaded.
Where printed QR codes get used
- Restaurant menus and table tents, linking to a digital menu instead of a paper one.
- Business cards and email signatures, linking to a contact card or a portfolio site.
- Product packaging and warranty cards, linking to setup guides or registration.
- Event tickets and posters, linking to registration pages or check-in.
- Asset and equipment tags, linking to a maintenance log or manual.
QR code generator FAQ
Do these QR codes expire?
No. A code made here is static, it is generated once and works forever. There is no sign-up, no tracking and no service that can turn it off later.
What does the error correction level mean?
It sets how much of the code can be damaged or covered and still scan: L recovers about 7 percent, M about 15 percent, Q about 25 percent, and H about 30 percent. Adding a logo automatically switches to H.
Why is my QR code hard to scan?
Low contrast between the foreground and background color is the most common cause. Keep the code color noticeably darker than the background, and leave the quiet zone border on.
Can I add a logo to the middle of the code?
Yes, upload an image and it is placed in the center. The tool switches to the highest error correction level so the code still scans with part of it covered.
What is the difference between PNG and SVG?
PNG is a fixed-size image, good for most uses. SVG is vector-based and stays sharp at any size, which is better for printing large or on merchandise.
Do iPhones and Android phones need an app to scan?
No. iPhones have scanned QR codes straight from the Camera app since iOS 11 in 2017, and most Android phones have built-in scanning in the camera or Google Lens too.
Will scanning my Wi-Fi QR code show the password as plain text?
The password is stored inside the code and most phones join the network without ever displaying it on screen, but anyone who scans the code with a QR reader app instead of the camera's network prompt could read it. Treat a Wi-Fi QR code the same as sharing the password itself.
How much text can a QR code hold?
A QR code can hold up to about 4,000 characters of text at the lowest error correction level, though that drops as you raise the error correction or add a logo. Long text also makes the pattern denser and harder to scan when printed small, so a short link works more reliably than a full paragraph.
What does QR stand for and who made it?
QR stands for Quick Response. Denso Wave, a Japanese automotive parts company, invented it in 1994 to track parts on factory lines, then chose not to enforce its patent, which is why the format is free for anyone to use.