QR Code Generator
A QR code stores text, usually a web address, in a square grid of black and white modules that phone cameras can read. This generator creates a standard QR code as you type, entirely in your browser, and lets you choose the error correction level so the code still scans if part of it is damaged.
How to use the QR Code Generator
- Type or paste a link or any text in the Link or text box.
- Pick an error correction level: Low, Medium, High or Max. Medium suits most uses.
- The QR code updates as you type. Scan it with your phone camera to test it before you share or print it.
Formula
QR Code (ISO/IEC 18004), automatic version, error correction L 7% · M 15% · Q 25% · H 30%The generator picks the smallest QR version that fits your text at the chosen error correction level. Higher levels add Reed-Solomon recovery data, so the code survives damage or a small logo but becomes denser.
Error correction levels
- Low (L): recovers about 7% damage, smallest code
- Medium (M): recovers about 15%, the usual choice
- High (Q): recovers about 25%, good for print that may get scuffed
- Max (H): recovers about 30%, use when placing a logo over the center
Printing QR codes that scan
Keep dark modules on a light background, leave a quiet zone of empty space around the code at least four modules wide, and print it at least 2 cm (about 0.8 in) across for close reading. Larger distances need larger codes, roughly one tenth of the scanning distance.
QR Code Generator questions
What can I put in a QR code?
Any text: web addresses, plain text, phone numbers, email addresses and Wi-Fi details written in the standard formats. A QR code can hold up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters, but shorter content produces a simpler code that scans faster, so use short URLs where you can.
How do I make a QR code easier to scan?
Use high contrast, ideally black on white, keep a clear margin around the code, and print it large enough: at least 2 by 2 cm for close range. Shorter content and a lower error correction level make the modules bigger at the same size. Always test with a few phones.
What error correction level should I choose?
Medium (15%) is the right default for screens and most print. Choose High or Max if the code will be printed on rough surfaces, displayed outdoors or partly covered by a logo. Higher levels make the code denser, so print it a little larger.
Do these QR codes expire?
No. These are static QR codes: the content is stored in the pattern itself, so the code works for as long as the link or text it contains is valid. Dynamic QR codes from paid services redirect through their servers and stop working if the subscription ends.
What is the difference between static and dynamic QR codes?
A static QR code contains your content directly and can never change. A dynamic QR code contains a short redirect link, so the destination can be edited and scans can be counted, but it depends on the provider staying online. Use static codes for permanent information.
Are QR codes safe to scan?
A QR code is just text, but it can point to a harmful website. Check the address your phone shows before opening it, be wary of stickers placed over legitimate codes, and never put passwords or private data in a code you share publicly.
How can businesses track QR code scans?
Add UTM parameters to the URL before generating the code, for example ?utm_source=flyer, and the visits will appear in your analytics. Create a separate code for each placement to compare which flyer, poster or package drives the most scans. Static codes cannot count scans by themselves, so the tracking happens on your website.