QR Code Generator

How to Use

1. Enter your text or URL in the input field.
2. Optionally adjust size, error correction, and colors.
3. Click Generate QR Code to create the code.
4. Click Download PNG to save or Copy to clipboard.

What Are QR Codes Used For?

QR codes have become ubiquitous in modern life. Originally invented in 1994 by Denso Wave for tracking automotive parts, they are now used for website links, payment systems, restaurant menus, event tickets, Wi-Fi credentials sharing, contact information exchange (vCards), and two-factor authentication setup.

Choosing the Right Error Correction Level

• Low (7%) — Best for clean digital displays where damage is unlikely. Produces the smallest QR code.
• Medium (15%) — Good default for most use cases. Balances size and resilience.
• Quartile (25%) — Recommended for printed QR codes that may get partially covered.
• High (30%) — Best when adding a logo overlay or for codes in harsh environments. Produces the densest QR code.

Tips for Better QR Codes

• Keep content short — shorter text produces simpler, more scannable codes
• Use URL shorteners for long links to reduce QR code density
• Maintain high contrast between foreground and background colors
• Test your QR code with multiple devices before distributing
• Use higher error correction if adding a logo or printing on textured surfaces

QR Code Data Types

While QR codes store plain text, certain text formats trigger specific actions on smartphones:

• URLs — Any text starting with http:// or https:// opens the browser
• Wi-Fi — The format WIFI:T:WPA;S:NetworkName;P:Password;; auto-connects to a Wi-Fi network
• vCard — A vCard formatted contact card adds a contact to the phone's address book
• Email — mailto:user@example.com opens the email client with a pre-filled recipient
• Phone — tel:+1234567890 initiates a phone call
• SMS — sms:+1234567890?body=Hello opens the messaging app with pre-filled text

Print Size Guidelines

The minimum size for a QR code depends on scanning distance and the amount of data encoded. As a general rule, the QR code should be at least 2 cm (0.8 inches) per side for close-up scanning (like on business cards). For posters and signs, the code should be at least 1/10th of the expected scanning distance — for example, a sign viewed from 3 meters away needs a QR code at least 30 cm wide.

Always include a quiet zone (white border) around the QR code of at least 4 modules wide. This tool's "margin" setting handles this automatically. Without sufficient quiet zone, many scanners will fail to recognize the code.

QR Code vs. Barcode

Traditional 1D barcodes (like UPC and EAN) store only 10–30 characters of numeric data and require a specific orientation to scan. QR codes are 2D, store up to 7,089 characters, can be scanned from any angle, and include built-in error correction. This makes QR codes far more versatile for modern applications like payments, authentication, and information sharing.

Color and Branding

While QR codes are traditionally black on white, you can customize colors for branding purposes. The key constraint is contrast — the foreground color must be significantly darker than the background. Avoid using similar-brightness colors (like red on blue or yellow on white), and never invert to light-on-dark without testing thoroughly, as some older scanners struggle with inverted codes. Use this tool's color picker to experiment, then test with at least three different scanning apps before printing.

Related Tools

Generate unique URLs with the UUID Generator. Create strong Wi-Fi passwords with the Password Generator. Encode special characters with the URL Encoder. Pick custom QR code colors with the Color Picker. Encode QR content as Base64 for embedding. Share encoded data via formatted JSON.