Free QR Code Generator
Create a QR code from any URL, text, email, or phone number. Customise colours and download as PNG — no sign-up needed.
By Alex van den Berg · Last reviewed · How we test our tools
Enter content to generate your QR code
What can you put in a QR code?
Website URLs
Link to any webpage — your business, a product page, a portfolio, or a landing page. Paste the full URL including https://
Email addresses
A QR code containing mailto:you@example.com opens the user's email app ready to compose a message to you.
Phone numbers
Use tel:+441234567890 to create a tap-to-call QR code on business cards or flyers.
Plain text
Any text up to 500 characters. Great for event information, short messages, or Wi-Fi passwords when printed on a sign.
Understanding error correction levels
QR codes contain redundant data so they can still be read even when partially damaged or obscured. Higher error correction means more redundancy — and a denser, more complex code that stores slightly less data.
| Level | Recovery | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| L | 7% data recovery | Clean, well-lit digital displays |
| M | 15% data recovery | Most use cases (recommended default) |
| Q | 25% data recovery | Industrial labels, rough environments |
| H | 30% data recovery | Printed on textured surfaces, branding with logo overlays |
How a QR code actually works
A QR ("Quick Response") code is a two-dimensional barcode invented in 1994 by Denso Wave, a Toyota subsidiary, to track car parts on assembly lines. Everything in the square has a job:
- The three big corner squares are finder patterns. A scanner locates these first, which is why a QR code can be read at any angle or even mirrored.
- The small squares (in larger codes) are alignment patterns that let the scanner correct for perspective distortion — a code photographed at a slant still decodes.
- The dotted lines between finder patterns are timing patterns that establish the grid spacing.
- Everything else is your data plus Reed–Solomon error-correction codewords — mathematical redundancy that lets the scanner reconstruct data even when part of the code is dirty, torn, or covered by a logo.
Codes come in 40 sizes, called versions: version 1 is a 21×21 grid of modules, and each version adds four modules per side up to version 40 at 177×177. This generator automatically picks the smallest version that fits your content at the selected error-correction level — which is why shorter URLs produce cleaner, easier-to-scan codes.
QR code safety: what to know before you scan (or print)
Because a QR code hides its destination until scanned, criminals use them for "quishing" — QR phishing. The classic tricks: a sticker with a malicious code pasted over the real one on a parking meter or restaurant menu, or a fake "package redelivery" letter with a code leading to a payment page.
When scanning codes from the world:
- Read the URL preview your phone shows before opening — watch for lookalike domains (parking-pay.net instead of your city's official site).
- Check whether the code is a sticker applied on top of original signage.
- Never enter credentials or card details on a page reached via a public QR code without verifying the address bar.
When printing codes for your business, protect your users' trust:
- Print the destination URL in small text next to the code so people can verify it.
- Link to your own domain, not a third-party shortener that could expire or be repurposed.
- Use HTTPS URLs — some corporate devices refuse to open plain HTTP links from codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do QR codes expire?
Static QR codes — like the ones this generator creates — never expire. The QR code simply encodes a URL or string; as long as that URL still works, the QR code will keep working forever. Dynamic QR codes from some services can be set to expire, but this generator creates permanent static codes.
What's the best size to print a QR code?
The minimum recommended print size is 2 cm × 2 cm (about ¾ inch) for scanning at arm's length. For posters viewed from 1–2 metres, aim for 10–15 cm. Use our 1024×1024 px option for large-format printing to avoid pixelation.
Can I add a logo to my QR code?
This generator creates clean, standard QR codes. To add a logo, you can overlay an image in any graphics editor (Canva, Photoshop, etc.) on top of the downloaded PNG. Set error correction to H first — this reserves 30% redundancy, so the code still scans even with a logo covering the centre.
Are coloured QR codes safe to scan?
Yes, as long as there is sufficient contrast between the foreground and background colours. Most scanners need at least a 3:1 contrast ratio. Dark foreground on light background always works best; very pale colours on white can fail. Test your code by scanning it before printing.
How much data can a QR code hold?
A QR code can hold up to 7,089 numeric characters, 4,296 alphanumeric characters, or 2,953 bytes of binary data. For URLs, keep it under 100 characters for best scan reliability — longer URLs create denser codes that can be harder to scan in low light.
Is it safe to scan an unknown QR code?
Treat a QR code like a link from a stranger. Modern phones preview the URL before opening it — read that preview, watch for lookalike domains, and be suspicious of stickers pasted over original codes in public places. See the safety section above for the full checklist, including how to publish trustworthy codes for your own business.
Sources & further reading
- ISO/IEC 18004:2024 — the international standard defining QR code symbology, versions, and error-correction levels. iso.org
- Denso Wave — "History of the QR Code", by the code's inventor. qrcode.com
- US Federal Trade Commission — consumer advisory on QR code scams ("quishing"). consumer.ftc.gov