What is a QR code?
A QR (Quick Response) code is a square barcode that any phone camera can read. Pointing a phone at it opens a website, joins a Wi-Fi network, starts an email or a call, or shows a message, with no typing. QR codes are used on menus, posters, business cards, product packaging, invoices, event tickets and shop windows.
The codes you make here are static: the content is stored in the pattern itself, not behind a redirect service. That means they never expire, never stop working if a subscription lapses, and do not track who scans them. Everything is generated in your browser.
How to create a QR code
- Choose what the code is for: a website, plain text, Wi-Fi, email, phone or SMS.
- Fill in the details. The preview updates instantly.
- Optionally change the colors and the error correction level.
- Download a PNG for documents and social media, or an SVG for print, which stays sharp at any size.
- Test it with your own phone before printing.
Error correction levels
QR codes contain redundant data so they still scan when part of the code is dirty, damaged or covered. Higher levels recover more but make the code denser.
| Level | Recovers up to | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| L (Low) | 7% | Clean screens and documents, long content |
| M (Medium) | 15% | Most uses (default) |
| Q (Quartile) | 25% | Outdoor posters, packaging |
| H (High) | 30% | Codes that may get scratched or partly covered |
Tips for codes that always scan
- Use a dark color on a light background. Inverted or low-contrast codes fail on many phones; the tool warns you if contrast is too low.
- Keep the quiet zone: the white border around the code is part of the standard.
- Print it at least 2 × 2 cm (0.8 × 0.8 in), and larger for scanning from a distance. A rule of thumb is one tenth of the scanning distance.
- Shorter content makes a simpler, more reliable code, so use short URLs where you can.
More worked examples
Café Wi-Fi: a code for the network “Cafe Guest” with a WPA password lets customers join by scanning, without typing the password.
Business card: a short URL makes a simpler code that scans reliably even when printed at 2 × 2 cm.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Low contrast or inverted colors. Use a dark code on a light background.
- Printing too small. Aim for at least 2 × 2 cm (0.8 in), larger for posters.
- Encoding long URLs. Shorter content gives a simpler, more reliable code. Encode special characters with the URL encoder first if needed.
Sources and methodology
The calculations on this page follow these published standards and references. The code is covered by automated tests against known values.