Free QR Code Generator

What this QR code generator does

This free QR code generator turns a URL or any short piece of text into a QR code image. Choose a size between 20 and 500 pixels, click Generate, and download the result as a PNG file. There is no sign-up and no watermark, and the codes are static: the information is stored in the pattern itself, so the QR code keeps working as long as the content it points to exists.

It is useful for small businesses putting a link on a flyer, menu or shop window, event organisers, teachers sharing resources, marketers adding a link to print material, and developers who need a quick test code.

How to create a QR code

1. Enter a link or text in the URL / Text field, for example https://example.com/menu.
2. Set the Size (px). The default is 250; any value from 20 to 500 is accepted (values outside that range are adjusted automatically).
3. Click Generate. The QR code appears below the form.
4. Click Download. The PNG opens in a new tab; save it from there (for example right-click and choose "Save image as", or long-press on mobile).
5. Scan the code with your phone's camera to test it before you print or share it.

The QR image is produced by an external QR image service, so the text you enter is sent to that service to draw the code. Avoid putting passwords or private data in a QR code.

What you can put in a QR code

• Website links – the most common use. Always include https:// so phones recognise it as a link.
• Plain text – a short message, a reference number or instructions.
• Email and phone links – text such as mailto:hello@example.com or tel:+441234567890 is opened by most phones in the mail or phone app.
• Wi-Fi details – many phone cameras understand the format WIFI:T:WPA;S:NetworkName;P:password;;. Only share Wi-Fi codes in places where you are happy for anyone to join.

How QR codes work, briefly

QR (Quick Response) codes are two-dimensional barcodes standardised in ISO/IEC 18004. The black and white modules encode your data together with error-correction information, which lets a scanner read the code even if part of it is dirty or damaged. The three large squares in the corners help the scanner find the code and work out its orientation. The more data you encode, the more modules the code needs, so long text produces a denser pattern that is harder to scan when printed small.

Common use cases

• Restaurant menus, price lists and product pages.
• Business cards, flyers, posters and packaging that link to a website or booking page.
• Event tickets, check-in pages and feedback forms.
• Classroom handouts linking to videos or documents.
• Testing mobile pages quickly: generate a code on your computer and scan it with your phone.

Tips for QR codes that scan reliably

• Keep content short. Shorter links create simpler codes that scan faster. A URL shortener can help for long links.
• Print big enough. The right size depends on scanning distance; a code on a poster seen from across a room must be much larger than one on a business card. Test at the real distance.
• Keep high contrast and a quiet zone. Dark modules on a light background work best. Leave a clear margin around the code and don't place it on busy images.
• Use the largest size for print. Download at 500 px when the code will be printed, and avoid stretching a small image, which makes it blurry.
• Test before printing. Scan with more than one phone if you can, and check that the link opens the right page.
• Static means fixed. You cannot change where a static QR code points after printing. If the destination may change, point it at a URL you control and redirect it as needed.

Frequently asked questions

Do these QR codes expire?

No. The content is encoded in the image itself and does not depend on our site. A code stops being useful only if the page it links to goes offline.

Can I track how many people scan my QR code?

Not with a static code alone. To count scans, link to a URL with analytics, for example a page tagged with campaign parameters, or use a dynamic QR code service.

What size should a printed QR code be?

It depends on how far away people will scan it and how much data it contains. Larger and simpler is safer. Always test a printed sample at the real distance.

Why won't my QR code scan?

Common causes are low contrast, a code printed too small, a missing margin, a blurry stretched image, or too much text packed into one code.

Can I use these QR codes commercially?

Yes, you can use the generated codes on your own print and digital materials.

Which file format do I get?

The code is provided as a PNG image, which works well on the web and for most print jobs at the chosen size.

Related tools

• Short URL – shorten a long link before turning it into a QR code.
• Responsive Mockup – preview the page your QR code links to on phone and tablet sizes.
• URL Encode / Decode – encode special characters in links.
• Meta Tag Generator – make the destination page look good when shared.