What can a QR code encode?

URLs (most common), plain text, WiFi credentials (auto-connect on scan: WIFI:T:WPA;S:NetworkName;P:Password;;), contact cards (vCard format), email addresses (mailto:user@example.com), phone numbers (tel:+1234567890), SMS messages (sms:+1234567890?body=Hello), calendar events (BEGIN:VEVENT...), Bitcoin/cryptocurrency addresses, geographic coordinates (geo:40.7128,-74.0060). For URLs, shorten first (bit.ly, t.co) — shorter data = smaller, more reliable QR codes.

What's the difference between error-correction levels (L, M, Q, H)?

L (Low): 7% redundancy, smallest QR code, good for clean digital displays. M (Medium): 15% redundancy, balanced — most common default. Q (Quartile): 25% redundancy, withstands moderate damage / partial obscuring. H (High): 30% redundancy, withstands logo overlay (covering up to 30% of code), heavy print damage, smudging. Choose H if: adding a logo in the center, printing on textured surfaces, expecting damage. Choose M for: standard digital sharing. Choose L for: small space-constrained applications. Higher levels generate larger / denser codes.

Why isn't my QR code scanning?

Common issues: (1) Code too small — minimum 2x2 cm at typical phone-arm-length scanning distance, larger for distant scanning. (2) Insufficient contrast — must be dark code on light background; reverse contrast (light on dark) often fails. (3) URL too long — long data = dense code; QR scanners struggle with very dense codes on phone cameras. Shorten URLs first. (4) Damaged / smudged in print — use higher error correction. (5) Too much scaling distortion in printed material. Test scanning from multiple phones (older phones have stricter scanners) before printing 1000 copies.

Can I add a logo to a QR code?

Yes, with caveats: (1) Use error-correction level Q or H. (2) Logo should cover at most 30% of the code area (smaller is safer). (3) Position logo in the center, leaving the three corner finder patterns and one alignment pattern untouched. (4) Use solid background behind logo to maintain edge contrast. (5) Test scan from multiple phones after embedding. Tools like Canva, Adobe Express, and QR Tiger have logo-overlay features built in. Don't use logos on small printed codes (under 1 inch) — error correction can't compensate for the loss of data area at small sizes.

PNG or SVG — which should I download?

PNG: raster, fixed pixel size. Use for: digital displays, social media, email signatures, mobile apps, anywhere displayed at known size. SVG: vector, infinite scaling without quality loss. Use for: print materials (posters, billboards, business cards) where the QR code may be scaled up or down, and for design files (Figma, Sketch). For most uses, PNG at 1024x1024 is sufficient. For print, SVG ensures crispness at any size. SVG also has smaller file size for simple QR codes (just the dot pattern data, no pixel grid).

Will my QR code work forever?

QR codes encode data at generation time — the data itself never expires. Image format (PNG/SVG) doesn't expire. The DESTINATION may expire: shortened URLs (bit.ly, t.co) can be deleted, redirects can be removed, websites can go offline. For long-term QR codes (printed posters, building plaques): use a stable URL you control, or print the destination URL alongside the QR code. For permanent QR codes (museum exhibit tags), consider 'static' encoded data (text/contact card) rather than URL — those work forever even if the internet goes down.

Developer Utilities · Free tool

QR Code Generator

Generate QR codes for URLs, text, WiFi, or email. Customize size and error correction, then download as PNG or SVG. Free and online with no signup needed.

Updated June 2026

Data

25 bytes

Size · 512pxError correctionForegroundBackground

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What it does

Generate a QR code for any URL, wifi string, or plain text — free, offline, no account. Pick size, error-correction level (L/M/Q/H — higher survives smudges and crops at the cost of density), and colors. Download as PNG for print and social, or SVG for infinite scaling.

Rules of thumb: keep the data short (shortened URL beats long query-string link), use error-correction M for most cases and Q when a logo overlay or glossy surface is in play, and test from two or three phones before printing — the cheapest phone is usually the strictest scanner. More tips in How to generate QR codes.

Embed this tool on your siteShow snippet

Paste this snippet into any page. Loads on-demand (lazy), no tracking scripts, and sized to most dashboards. Replace the height to fit your layout.

<iframe src="https://freetoolarena.com/embed/qr-code-generator" width="100%" height="720" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" title="QR Code Generator" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:12px;max-width:720px;"></iframe>

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How to use it

Type or paste the text or URL to encode.
Pick size, error-correction level, and colors.
Preview updates live.
Download as PNG (for print/social) or SVG (for perfect scaling).

When to use this tool

Restaurant menus — replace printed menus with a QR code on the table.
Marketing posters / flyers — link to a campaign landing page.
Business cards — link to a vCard or LinkedIn profile.
WiFi sharing — encode WIFI credentials so guests can join with one scan.
Event check-in — unique QR per attendee for fast scanning.

When not to use it

Tracking individual users with sensitive data — QR codes are public; encode IDs not personal info.
Long URLs with sensitive tokens — shorten first; don’t embed long auth tokens in QR.
Tiny print where the code can’t be at least 1cm square — won’t scan reliably.

Common use cases

Cafe owner generates QR linking to digital menu PDF.
Designer creates QR for new portfolio site for business card back.
Event organizer creates 200 unique attendee-check-in QRs from a CSV.
Wedding officiant generates a QR linking to digital RSVP form for save-the-date cards.

Frequently asked questions

What can a QR code encode?: URLs (most common), plain text, WiFi credentials (auto-connect on scan: WIFI:T:WPA;S:NetworkName;P:Password;;), contact cards (vCard format), email addresses (mailto:user@example.com), phone numbers (tel:+1234567890), SMS messages (sms:+1234567890?body=Hello), calendar events (BEGIN:VEVENT...), Bitcoin/cryptocurrency addresses, geographic coordinates (geo:40.7128,-74.0060). For URLs, shorten first (bit.ly, t.co) — shorter data = smaller, more reliable QR codes.
What's the difference between error-correction levels (L, M, Q, H)?: L (Low): 7% redundancy, smallest QR code, good for clean digital displays. M (Medium): 15% redundancy, balanced — most common default. Q (Quartile): 25% redundancy, withstands moderate damage / partial obscuring. H (High): 30% redundancy, withstands logo overlay (covering up to 30% of code), heavy print damage, smudging. Choose H if: adding a logo in the center, printing on textured surfaces, expecting damage. Choose M for: standard digital sharing. Choose L for: small space-constrained applications. Higher levels generate larger / denser codes.
Why isn't my QR code scanning?: Common issues: (1) Code too small — minimum 2x2 cm at typical phone-arm-length scanning distance, larger for distant scanning. (2) Insufficient contrast — must be dark code on light background; reverse contrast (light on dark) often fails. (3) URL too long — long data = dense code; QR scanners struggle with very dense codes on phone cameras. Shorten URLs first. (4) Damaged / smudged in print — use higher error correction. (5) Too much scaling distortion in printed material. Test scanning from multiple phones (older phones have stricter scanners) before printing 1000 copies.
Can I add a logo to a QR code?: Yes, with caveats: (1) Use error-correction level Q or H. (2) Logo should cover at most 30% of the code area (smaller is safer). (3) Position logo in the center, leaving the three corner finder patterns and one alignment pattern untouched. (4) Use solid background behind logo to maintain edge contrast. (5) Test scan from multiple phones after embedding. Tools like Canva, Adobe Express, and QR Tiger have logo-overlay features built in. Don't use logos on small printed codes (under 1 inch) — error correction can't compensate for the loss of data area at small sizes.
PNG or SVG — which should I download?: PNG: raster, fixed pixel size. Use for: digital displays, social media, email signatures, mobile apps, anywhere displayed at known size. SVG: vector, infinite scaling without quality loss. Use for: print materials (posters, billboards, business cards) where the QR code may be scaled up or down, and for design files (Figma, Sketch). For most uses, PNG at 1024x1024 is sufficient. For print, SVG ensures crispness at any size. SVG also has smaller file size for simple QR codes (just the dot pattern data, no pixel grid).
Will my QR code work forever?: QR codes encode data at generation time — the data itself never expires. Image format (PNG/SVG) doesn't expire. The DESTINATION may expire: shortened URLs (bit.ly, t.co) can be deleted, redirects can be removed, websites can go offline. For long-term QR codes (printed posters, building plaques): use a stable URL you control, or print the destination URL alongside the QR code. For permanent QR codes (museum exhibit tags), consider 'static' encoded data (text/contact card) rather than URL — those work forever even if the internet goes down.

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