QR Code Generator
Generate QR codes from text or URLs with custom colors and sizes.
Text or URL
Size
Foreground
Background
QR Code
Enter text and click Generate
How to scan a QR code on iPhone, iPad or Android
iPhone / iPad (iOS 11 and later) — no app needed. Open the Camera app, point at the QR code. A notification appears at the top of the screen. Tap it to open the URL, add the contact, join the WiFi, etc. Works in all Camera modes. If nothing happens, check Settings → Camera → Scan QR Codes is ON.
Android (Android 8 and later) — most modern Android phones have QR scanning built into Google Lens or the default Camera app. Open Camera, point at the QR. On Samsung: use Bixby Vision or the Camera app with "Scan QR codes" enabled. On Pixel: Google Lens integration is automatic. Older or minimal Android builds may need the Google app or a third-party scanner.
Desktop — no native OS support. Options: point your phone at the screen, use a browser extension (QR Code Reader for Chrome), or upload the QR image to an online decoder. Our tool generates QR codes; for reading, use your phone's camera.
QR code use cases beyond just links
QR codes aren't only for URLs. The specification supports several "actionable" data types the scanner app recognizes:
- URL — just paste
https://.... Most common. - WiFi credentials — format:
WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyNetwork;P:password123;;. Guests scan to join without typing the password. - vCard / contact —
BEGIN:VCARD\nVERSION:3.0\nFN:John Doe\nTEL:+1234567890\nEMAIL:john@example.com\nEND:VCARD. Digital business card. - Phone number —
tel:+911234567890. Tap to dial. - SMS —
SMSTO:+1234567890:Hello!. Tap to compose message. - Email —
mailto:hello@example.com?subject=Hi. - Geo location —
geo:28.6139,77.2090. Opens maps app. - Calendar event — vEvent format. Scan to add to calendar.
- Bitcoin / crypto address —
bitcoin:bc1q.... Tap to send payment. - UPI payment (India) —
upi://pay?pa=merchant@bank&pn=Merchant&am=100. Used by every merchant QR in India — GPay, PhonePe, Paytm all scan the same format.
Our generator creates static codes (data embedded directly). For dynamic codes that can change what they point to after printing, use a QR redirect service — they generate https://short.link/abc123 and redirect server-side.
Error correction levels — what "L / M / Q / H" mean
QR codes have Reed-Solomon error correction built in. Higher correction = code can be partially obscured (logo overlay, damage, poor print) and still scan:
| Level | Correction | Recovery | Use for |
|---|---|---|---|
| L (Low) | ~7% | Code can lose 7% and still scan | Clean digital display, maximum data capacity |
| M (Medium) | ~15% | Small damage OK | Default — most use cases |
| Q (Quartile) | ~25% | Logo overlay, small print | Marketing with centered brand logo |
| H (High) | ~30% | Significant damage / obscure | Outdoor signage, industrial use |
Higher correction requires a denser QR code — more squares = harder to scan on small/low-quality displays. Pick the lowest level that still works for your printing/display medium.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I generate a QR code online for free?
Enter text or a URL and the QR code renders instantly. Download as PNG or SVG, or copy to clipboard. Works for WiFi passwords, vCards, Bitcoin addresses, calendar events and any UTF-8 text up to ~2,900 characters.
Can I customise QR code colour, size and error correction?
Yes. Set foreground and background hex colours (ensure strong contrast for scanner reliability), adjust size from 128px to 1024px, and pick error correction level L–H. Higher error correction means the code stays scannable if partially obscured — useful for printed codes with a logo overlay.
What's the maximum data a QR code can hold?
Up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters or 2,953 bytes, but readability drops as density rises. For URLs, keep under 200 chars for easy phone scanning. Above that, use a URL shortener first.
Is this QR code generator free for commercial use?
Yes. QR code is an open ISO standard (ISO/IEC 18004) — no royalties. The codes generated here are unrestricted commercial use. Print on business cards, posters, product packaging, marketing flyers, anywhere.
Does the QR code I generate expire or need internet to scan?
No. Static QR codes embed data directly — they never expire and work offline. Scanning a URL still needs internet to open the site, but the code itself is permanent and ownership-free.
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