Free Online QR Code Generator

Create QR codes for any URL or text. Download as PNG or SVG instantly.

Generated in your browser — nothing is uploaded

URL or Text

/ 2000 characters

Export Size

XS 128px S 256px M 512px L 1024px

Error Correction (higher = more resilient)

Colours

Foreground (Dark modules)

Background (Light modules)

High contrast (dark on light) gives the most reliable scans.

Enter text or a URL to generate your QR code

SVG is vector — best for print & design tools

What Is a QR Code?

A QR code (Quick Response code) is a two-dimensional barcode that any smartphone camera can read in under a second. Unlike a traditional barcode that only stores a number, a QR code can hold a URL, plain text, contact details, Wi-Fi credentials, or any other string of up to around 4,000 characters. QR codes appear on restaurant menus, product packaging, event tickets, and marketing materials worldwide.

How to Use This Generator

Type or paste your URL or text into the input field. The QR code updates live.
Choose a size: S (256 px) works for digital; M (512 px) or L (1024 px) for print.
Set the error correction level (M is recommended for most uses).
Optionally change the foreground and background colours.
Click Download PNG for screens or Download SVG for print and design tools.

Understanding Error Correction

QR codes include redundant data so they can still be decoded even if part of the image is damaged or obscured. The four levels — L, M, Q, H — restore 7%, 15%, 25%, and 30% of data respectively. Use H if you plan to place a logo over the centre of the code (a popular branding technique), or if the code will be on a physical surface that may get worn. Use L when space is tight and the code will only ever appear on clean digital displays.

Tips for Reliable Scans

Minimum print size: At least 2 × 2 cm. Larger is always better.
Quiet zone: Leave a white margin of at least 4 modules around the QR code.
Contrast: Dark modules on a light background scan most reliably. Avoid gradients.
Test before printing: Scan your QR code on multiple phones before committing to a large print run.
Shorter URLs scan faster: Use a URL shortener for long links to keep the QR code density low.

How to Use QR Code Generator

1

Enter your URL or text

Type or paste any URL, phone number, email address, or plain text into the input field. The QR code updates instantly as you type.
2

Adjust size and error correction

Choose the output size and error correction level. Higher error correction lets the QR code be scanned even if partially obscured.
3

Download as PNG or SVG

Click Download PNG for raster images (web, print) or Download SVG for a vector file that scales to any size without quality loss.

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Frequently Asked Questions

M (Medium, 15%) is the right default for most situations. Use L (Low, 7%) when you need a denser QR code for a space-constrained label. Use Q (25%) or H (High, 30%) when you plan to place a logo over the centre of the QR code or when the code will be on a surface likely to get dirty or scratched. Higher error correction makes the QR code larger but more resilient.

A QR code can store up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters (or 2,953 bytes of arbitrary data). In practice, shorter inputs scan faster and more reliably. For URLs, keep them under 200 characters. If your URL is long, use a URL shortener first. Very large QR codes (storing thousands of characters) require a high-resolution print to scan reliably.

Yes, but contrast is critical. The scanner must clearly distinguish the dark modules from the light background. Dark-on-light always works. Light-on-dark (inverted) works on most modern readers. Avoid low-contrast colour combinations (e.g. dark blue on black) — the QR code may look attractive but will fail to scan. Test any custom-colour code on multiple devices before printing.

For digital use (websites, emails) 256 px is plenty. For printed materials: a business card needs at least 512 px, an A4 flyer at least 1024 px, and a poster or banner at least 2048 px (download the SVG instead — it scales to any size without pixelation). The minimum printed size for reliable scanning is about 2 × 2 cm.

SVG is better for most purposes. SVG is a vector format — it scales to any size with perfect sharpness, making it ideal for printing and design software (Illustrator, Figma, Canva). PNG is a pixel format — it looks perfect at the exported size but blurs if enlarged. Download PNG when you need an image for a web page or presentation; download SVG when you will print or further edit the QR code.