QR Code Generator

Enter text or URL

Supports URLs, plain text, contact info, WiFi credentials, etc.

Quick Templates

Generated QR Code

QR code will appear here

What is a QR Code?

A QR Code (Quick Response Code) is a two-dimensional barcode invented in 1994 by the Japanese company Denso Wave. Unlike traditional barcodes, it can store much more information β€” up to about 4,300 alphanumeric characters β€” and is read instantly by any modern smartphone without a dedicated app.

A QR Code can quickly transmit to a phone: a website URL, a phone number, an email address, Wi-Fi credentials, a contact card, GPS coordinates, or simply text. Just point the phone's camera at it and the corresponding action is suggested.

QR Codes are widely used today: restaurant menus, mobile payments, transit tickets, product packaging, marketing materials, access control, Wi-Fi sharing, and more.

What can you do with a QR Code? 8 practical use cases

Share a website or a long URL

The most common case. Ideal for printed materials (flyers, posters, business cards) where typing a URL would be tedious. Use the "Website" template of our tool above to generate a QR Code from your URL.

Make it easier to contact you by email

A QR Code can directly open the phone's mail app with your address, a subject, and even a pre-filled message. Handy for business cards or contact pages. Use the "Email" template to generate this kind of QR Code.

Dial a phone number

By scanning the QR Code, the user can call directly without retyping the number. Very useful for after-sales services, tradespeople, and local businesses. Use the "Phone" template.

Share a Wi‑Fi network

Instead of dictating a Wi-Fi password to your guests or customers, display a QR Code they can scan: their phone connects automatically. Very popular in hotels, restaurants, waiting rooms, and Airbnb rentals. Use the "WiFi" template, replacing the SSID and password with your own.

Send people to social networks

Print a QR Code linking to your Instagram, LinkedIn, or TikTok page to grow your followers from physical materials. Just paste your profile URL into the tool.

Show a restaurant menu

Since 2020, QR Code menus have become standard in many establishments. Host your menu as a PDF or web page, then generate a QR Code pointing to that URL.

Link to a video or a tutorial

On product packaging or instruction manuals, a QR Code can link to a YouTube demo video or usage tutorial. Far more effective than a long paper manual.

Share a location

By pasting a Google Maps URL, you can create a QR Code that opens directions to your address directly. Useful for invitations, businesses, and events.

Best practices for an effective QR Code

Minimum size. For a printed QR Code, the rule of thumb is: the code's size should be at least one tenth of the scan distance. On a poster scanned from 1 meter away, the code should be at least 10 cm wide. On a business card held at 30 cm, 3 cm is enough.

High contrast. The scanner needs to clearly distinguish the dark pattern from the light background. Avoid white QR Codes on light backgrounds, or codes placed over busy photos. The classic black-on-white standard remains the most reliable.

Quiet zone. Leave a white margin around the code, equivalent to at least 4 modules (the small squares that make up the QR Code). Without this margin, some scanners may struggle to detect the code.

Test before printing. Before going to print on thousands of flyers, scan your QR Code with several different phones (iPhone, Android, older versions). Better to find a problem now than in the field.

Short and stable URL. If the QR Code points to a URL, use a stable address you won't change. On printed materials, the URL can no longer be modified. For more flexibility, some prefer a URL shortener or a self-hosted URL that can be redirected elsewhere later.

Avoid subscription-based services. Many online generators actually create "dynamic QR Codes" that route through their server. If you stop paying, your QR Code stops working. Prefer static QR Codes (like those generated by our tool) which never expire β€” no signup, no watermark, no expiration date.

Frequently asked questions

Do QR Codes have an expiration date?
No, a static QR Code never expires. As long as the information it contains remains valid (the URL still exists, the phone number works...), the code stays usable indefinitely. Our tool generates only static QR Codes, so they are permanent.
Can I edit a QR Code after generating it?
No, the content of a static QR Code is locked into the pattern. If you change URLs or contact details, you need to generate a new QR Code. For content likely to change, point the code to a stable URL that can itself redirect elsewhere later.
Can all phones scan QR Codes?
Yes, since iOS 11 (2017) and Android 9 (2018), all smartphones natively read QR Codes via their camera app, without any extra application. For older phones, an app like Google Lens does the job.
Can a QR Code contain a virus?
A QR Code itself is just an image containing text (often a URL). Any risk lies on the destination side: if the URL leads to a malicious site. Before scanning a QR Code from an unknown source, be cautious as you would with any link.
How much information can a QR Code store?
The theoretical maximum is around 4,296 alphanumeric characters or 7,089 numeric digits. In practice, the more data you put in, the denser and harder to scan the QR Code becomes. For good readability, stay under a few hundred characters.
Why isn't my QR Code being scanned?
Most common causes: too small a size, low contrast, reflective surface (glossy paper under direct lighting), missing white margin, or damaged code. If nothing works, regenerate it at a larger size.
What size of QR Code should I use?
It depends on the scan distance. Practical rule: 1 cm of QR Code per 10 cm of distance. Our tool offers 4 sizes (150, 200, 300, 400 pixels) suited to digital uses. For printing, re-download the image and print it at the desired physical size.
Do I need to sign up to generate a QR Code?
Not with our tool. No signup, no email required, no watermark on the generated image. The QR Code is yours and works with no link to our site. Free forever, no expiration.

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