📱QR Code Generator
Create custom QR codes for URLs, text, email, phone numbers, WiFi passwords, and more. Customize colors, size, and download instantly for free.
Generated QR Code:
QR Code Types & Features
Website URLs
Create QR codes that link directly to websites, landing pages, or social media profiles.
Email & Contact
Generate QR codes for email addresses, phone numbers, and SMS messages.
WiFi Networks
Share WiFi credentials easily with QR codes containing network name and password.
Custom Colors
Personalize your QR codes with custom colors to match your brand or design.
Multiple Sizes
Choose from various sizes to fit your needs, from small icons to large posters.
Instant Download
Download high-quality PNG files instantly, ready for print or digital use.
Frequently Asked Questions
🤔 What is a QR code?
A QR (Quick Response) code is a 2D barcode that can store various types of information like URLs, text, contact details, and more. It can be quickly scanned by smartphones.
📱 How do I scan a QR code?
Most modern smartphones can scan QR codes using the built-in camera app. Just point your camera at the code and tap the notification that appears.
🔒 Are QR codes secure?
QR codes themselves are just data containers. Always verify the source and be cautious when scanning codes from unknown sources, especially those linking to websites.
💡 What‘s the best size for printing?
For business cards, use 300x300px minimum. For posters or larger prints, use 400x400px or 500x500px for optimal scanning distance and quality.
What Are QR Codes and How Do They Work?
QR (Quick Response) codes are two-dimensional matrix barcodes invented in 1994 by Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota, to track automotive parts during manufacturing. Unlike traditional one-dimensional barcodes that store data in a single horizontal line, QR codes encode information in both horizontal and vertical directions, allowing them to hold significantly more data in a compact space. A standard QR code can store up to 7,089 numeric characters, 4,296 alphanumeric characters, or 2,953 bytes of binary data.
A QR code consists of several key components: three large square finder patterns in the corners help scanners quickly locate and orient the code regardless of angle. Alignment patterns (smaller squares) appear in larger codes to correct for distortion. Timing patterns, consisting of alternating black and white modules in rows and columns, help the scanner determine the grid coordinates. The format information area stores the error correction level and mask pattern, while the data and error correction codewords occupy the remaining modules.
Error Correction: The Hidden Power of QR Codes
One of the most remarkable features of QR codes is their built-in error correction capability, based on Reed-Solomon error correction algorithms. This means a QR code can still be read correctly even if part of it is damaged, dirty, or obscured. There are four error correction levels, each offering a different balance between data capacity and resilience:
Higher error correction levels increase the physical size of the QR code because more modules are dedicated to redundancy. Level M is the default for most applications, offering a practical balance. Level H is recommended when the code will be printed on materials that may get scratched or stained, or when you plan to overlay a logo on the center of the code. The error correction makes this possible because the obscured portion can be reconstructed from the redundant data.
QR Code Best Practices for Developers
When generating QR codes for production use, several best practices ensure reliable scanning across devices and environments. Always maintain a quiet zone -- a minimum border of four modules of blank space surrounding the code -- to help scanners distinguish the code from its background. Use high contrast between the foreground and background colors; black on white provides the best readability, and while custom colors work well, avoid low-contrast combinations that could confuse scanners.
Keep the encoded data as short as possible to produce smaller, easier-to-scan codes. For URLs, consider using a URL shortener to reduce the data payload. Always test generated codes with multiple devices and scanning apps before deployment. For dynamic content, use a redirect URL that you control so the destination can be updated without reprinting the physical code. Finally, when embedding QR codes in print materials, export at the highest resolution available and use vector formats like SVG whenever possible to ensure crisp edges at any print size.