QR Code Generator

Turn a URL or text into a QR code

Content

Size

Error correction

Margin: 2

Foreground

Background

How it works

QR Code Generator — Turn a URL or text into a QR code. All processing happens in your browser — no upload, no signup, no email required. Free forever.

Last updated: 2026-05-06

Editor's note

We started this one after a friend opened a small restaurant and printed her menu QR code on a glossy laminated card. Half her tables couldn't scan it — the print reflection killed the contrast in low light, and the code itself was tiny and at the lowest error-correction level. The menu URL was fine; the physical object was the bug. That night we realised most QR generators online give you a single "download" button and tell you nothing about the trade-offs that matter once the code leaves the screen.

So the error-correction-level slider is on the main panel, not buried in advanced settings. Higher correction means a denser code that survives a scratched sticker, a folded flyer, or a reflective lamination, at the cost of a slightly larger image. We also keep the foreground locked to high-contrast defaults and warn you if you pick a colour pair below the scan threshold. The phone camera is unforgiving — it does not care that your brand palette is pastel.

About QR Code Generator

The QR Code Generator turns any URL, plain text, email address, phone number or Wi-Fi string into a scannable QR code right inside your browser. It is a free QR code maker with no watermarks, no sign-ups and no tracking pixels embedded in the image.

Marketers print QR codes on flyers, restaurants put them on menus, conference organisers attach them to badges and product designers embed them in packaging. Any time you need to bridge the gap between something physical and a URL on a phone, a QR code is the fastest path.

Generation runs entirely in the browser — your content never reaches our servers, which makes the tool safe for sensitive Wi-Fi passwords, internal links and unreleased product URLs.

How to use QR Code Generator

Type or paste your content into the Content field — a URL, plain text, email (mailto:…), phone (tel:…) or Wi-Fi string all work.
Adjust Size to control the rendered pixel dimensions of the PNG.
Pick an Error Correction level (L, M, Q or H). Higher levels survive scratches and unusual colours but pack less data.
Tweak the Margin slider to change the quiet zone around the code; most scanners need at least a small margin.
Pick Foreground and Background colours — keep enough contrast for reliable scanning.
Right-click the preview and choose Save Image As, or use the download button to grab the PNG.

Common use cases

Restaurant menus that link to an up-to-date online version, removing the need to reprint when prices change.
Event check-in badges that encode an attendee ID, scanned at the door for instant lookup.
Wi-Fi onboarding cards for offices and Airbnbs — guests scan once and join the network.
Product packaging linking to setup videos, warranty registration or feedback forms.
Business cards with a QR code that opens a vCard so contacts can be saved with one tap.

Tips & common mistakes

Shorten long URLs with a link shortener first — fewer characters mean a less dense, more reliable code.
If you plan to print at small sizes or on glossy material, set Error Correction to Q or H so partial damage still scans.
Avoid low-contrast colour pairs (e.g. light grey on white). Dark on light is the safest combination.
Always test the printed code with the camera apps you actually expect users to use, not just one phone.

Frequently asked questions

Are there limits on what content I can encode?

QR codes hold up to ~4,000 characters of plain text or ~7,000 numeric. Long URLs are best shortened first.

Why does the code change when I edit the colour?

QR codes encode colour contrast. We update the rendering live whenever you change the foreground or background colour.

Will scanners read coloured codes?

Yes — as long as foreground and background have enough contrast (e.g. dark on light). Increase Error Correction to H if you use unusual colours.

Can I generate a QR code that connects to Wi-Fi automatically?

Yes. Use the format WIFI:T:WPA;S:NetworkName;P:Password;; in the Content field. iOS and Android camera apps will detect it and offer to join the network.

Why does scanning fail when the code is on a curved surface?

QR codes assume a flat plane. Curvature distorts the finder patterns. Print on a flat label, or increase Error Correction to H so the scanner can still recover the data despite distortion.

What is the difference between dynamic and static QR codes?

This tool produces static codes — the URL is encoded directly. Dynamic codes redirect through a tracking server, which lets the destination be edited later but adds a third-party dependency. We don't proxy your links so the code keeps working forever.