QR Code Generator — Create Custom QR Codes Free
Our free QR code generator creates QR codes for URLs, plain text, email addresses, phone numbers, SMS messages, WiFi networks, contact cards (vCard), and GPS locations. Customize the size, colors, error correction level, and add your logo. Download as PNG, SVG, or JPEG. No account required, no watermarks.
QR Code Types and Use Cases
| QR Type | Encoded Format | Common Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| URL | https://example.com | Marketing materials, business cards, product packaging, menus |
| Plain Text | Any text string | Event tickets, codes, offline messages |
| mailto:email@example.com | Contact forms, newsletters | |
| Phone | tel:+15550000000 | Business cards, storefronts |
| SMS | sms:+15550000000?body=... | Shortcode campaigns, customer service |
| WiFi | WIFI:T:WPA;S:SSID;P:Pass;; | Guest WiFi at hotels, cafes, offices |
| vCard | BEGIN:VCARD... | Business cards, conference networking |
| Location | geo:lat,lon | Directions to physical locations, event venues |
QR Code Error Correction Levels
| Level | Data Recovery | QR Complexity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| L (Low) | ~7% | Lowest | Clean, undamaged environments; digital display only |
| M (Medium) | ~15% | Low–Medium | General purpose; most common choice |
| Q (Quality) | ~25% | Medium | Slightly dirty or damaged environments |
| H (High) | ~30% | Highest | Logo overlays, harsh environments, outdoor printing, industrial use |
QR Code Best Practices
Size Guidelines for Printing
| Printed Size | Minimum Pixels | Max Scan Distance | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cm (0.4") | 30px | ~7 cm | Product labels (close scanning) |
| 2 cm (0.8") | 60px | ~15 cm | Business cards |
| 3 cm (1.2") | 90px | ~22 cm | Brochures, flyers |
| 5 cm (2") | 150px | ~38 cm | Standard print materials |
| 10 cm (4") | 300px | ~75 cm | Posters, signs |
| 20 cm (8") | 600px | ~150 cm | Banners |
| 40 cm (16") | 1200px | ~300 cm | Large format printing |
| A4 page fill | 2400px | ~750 cm | Maximum display size |
Rule of thumb: scan distance ≈ 10× the QR code size.
QR Code Colors and Contrast
QR code colors must maintain sufficient contrast for reliable scanning. The QR scanner reads the difference between dark modules (the squares) and the light background. Insufficient contrast causes scan failures:
| Color Combination | Contrast Ratio | Scannable? |
|---|---|---|
| Black on white | 21:1 | Yes — optimal |
| Dark blue on white | ~14:1 | Yes — excellent |
| Dark green on white | ~12:1 | Yes — good |
| Dark red on white | ~8:1 | Usually yes |
| Medium gray on white | ~5:1 | Sometimes — risky |
| Light color on white | <3:1 | No — will fail |
| Dark on dark | <3:1 | No — will fail |
| White on white | 1:1 | No — invisible |
Always keep the QR modules (dots) darker than the background. Inverted QR codes (light on dark background) may work but reduce reliability.
Adding a Logo to Your QR Code
Embedding a logo in the center of a QR code is a popular branding technique. Here is how to do it correctly:
- Use error correction level H — The logo covers part of the QR code, so you need the highest damage recovery level (30%) to ensure the code still scans reliably.
- Keep the logo under 30% of area — The logo should not exceed 30% of the total QR code area. A 300px QR code can accommodate a logo up to ~90px × 90px.
- Add white padding — Put a white border around your logo before overlaying it. This separates the logo from the QR modules and improves readability.
- Test thoroughly — Always test your logo QR code with multiple devices and apps before printing or publishing at scale. Low-quality logos or excessive coverage reduce reliability.
- Use PNG or SVG logos — Transparent background logos (PNG) work best as they allow the white padding to show through cleanly without rectangular borders.
WiFi QR Code Guide
WiFi QR codes allow guests to connect to your network without typing the password. They are widely supported on iOS (11+) and Android (10+ natively, earlier with Google Lens):
| Field | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Network Name (SSID) | Plain text | MyNetwork |
| Password | Plain text | mypassword123 |
| Security | WPA, WEP, or empty for open | WPA |
| Hidden | true or false | false |
Full format: WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyNetwork;P:mypassword123;H:false;;
Note: Semicolons within field values must be escaped with a backslash.
vCard QR Code Format
vCard QR codes encode contact information that can be saved directly to a phone's address book when scanned:
| vCard Field | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | FN:Name | FN:John Doe |
| Organization | ORG:Company | ORG:Acme Corp |
| Title | TITLE:Role | TITLE:CEO |
| Phone | TEL;TYPE=CELL:number | TEL;TYPE=CELL:+15550001234 |
| EMAIL:address | EMAIL:john@example.com | |
| URL | URL:website | URL:https://johndoe.com |
| Address | ADR:;;street;city;state;zip;country | ADR:;;123 Main St;New York;NY;10001;USA |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do QR codes last?
A static QR code (like those generated here) never expires — it simply encodes data that is read when scanned. If the QR code links to a URL, the code lasts as long as the URL remains active. Dynamic QR codes (offered by paid services) redirect through a third-party URL that can be changed or may expire when a subscription ends. This generator creates static QR codes that are permanent.
Can a QR code be scanned from a screen?
Yes. QR codes work equally well on screens (phones, tablets, monitors) as on printed materials. Just ensure the screen brightness is adequate and the QR code is large enough for the camera to focus on it.
How much data can a QR code store?
QR code data capacity depends on the type and error correction level. Maximum capacities: Numeric only: up to 7,089 characters. Alphanumeric: up to 4,296 characters. Binary/UTF-8: up to 2,953 bytes. Kanji: up to 1,817 characters. For best scannability, keep data under 500 characters. Longer data creates denser QR codes that are harder to scan.
What is the difference between static and dynamic QR codes?
A static QR code encodes the final data directly (like a URL). It cannot be changed after creation. A dynamic QR code encodes a short redirect URL that points to your actual destination — the destination can be changed without reprinting the QR code, and scan analytics can be tracked. Dynamic QR codes require a paid subscription to a QR code service. This generator creates static QR codes only.
Why won't my QR code scan?
Common causes: insufficient contrast between foreground and background colors; QR code too small for the scan distance; logo covering too much of the code (use error correction H and limit to 25%); QR code damaged or distorted in printing; camera too close or too far to focus; quiet zone (white margin) missing or too small. Test with multiple devices and apps before finalizing.
More tools: Color Picker, Image Resizer.