How to make a QR code
- Pick a type. URL for a web page, Text for a short note, Wi-Fi to share a network, or Email, Phone, SMS or Contact.
- Fill in the fields. The preview redraws as you type. The "Encoded content" box shows exactly what the code holds.
- Choose the style. Keep dark modules on a light background. Raise error correction if the code will be printed small or may get scratched.
- Download. Use PNG for screens, documents and social posts. Use SVG for print: it stays sharp at any size.
- Test it. Scan the code with two different phones before you print a batch.
What each QR code type does
| Type | What the code contains | What the phone does |
|---|---|---|
| URL | https://example.com/menu | Offers to open the page. |
| Text | The text itself | Shows the text. Nothing opens. |
| Wi-Fi | WIFI:T:WPA;S:HomeWiFi;P:secret;H:false;; | Offers to join the network. Most recent iPhones and Android phones read this from the camera. |
mailto: address with subject and body | Opens a new email, ready to send. | |
| Phone | tel:+919876543210 | Offers to call the number. |
| SMS | SMSTO:number:message | Opens a text message with the words filled in. |
| Contact | A vCard 3.0 record | Offers to save the contact. |
Special characters in Wi-Fi names and passwords (\ ; , : ") are escaped with a backslash, as the format requires. Your Wi-Fi password is never stored.
Static QR codes never expire
Many "free" QR sites make dynamic codes. The code holds a short link to their server, which then redirects to your page. That lets them count scans. It also means the code stops working if you stop paying or the service shuts down.
This generator makes static codes. Your link or text is written into the pattern itself, so the code works for as long as the content is valid. There is no redirect, no account and no scan tracking. The code is made in your browser and nothing is sent to us.
The trade-off: you can't change a static code after printing. If the destination might change, point the code at a page you control and update that page instead.
Which error correction level should I use?
QR codes store extra recovery data, so a code still scans when part of it is dirty, torn or covered. More recovery means more modules (squares), so the code gets denser.
| Level | Recovers about | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| L | 7% | Screens, and long content that must stay readable |
| M | 15% | Most uses. The default here. |
| Q | 25% | Printed signs, stickers and packaging |
| H | 30% | Outdoor use, or when a small logo covers the centre |
Tips for codes that scan first time
- Contrast: dark on light works best. Many scanners can't read light-on-dark (inverted) codes. The tool warns you when contrast is low.
- Quiet zone: keep a blank margin around the code. The downloads include a four-module border; don't crop it.
- Size: a common rule of thumb is a code about one tenth of the scanning distance. A code on a poster read from 2 m should be about 20 cm wide.
- Keep it short: less content gives bigger squares that are easier to read. Use a short URL rather than a long one with tracking parameters.
- Payments in India: for a payment code with your UPI ID and amount, use the UPI QR code generator.
QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED.
Frequently asked questions
Do these QR codes expire?
Are scans tracked?
Can I change the link after printing?
Why won't my QR code scan?
How do I share my Wi-Fi with a QR code?
Can I use the codes commercially?
Last updated . How we check our tools.