Free QR Code Generator — Create, Preview & Download Instantly

A QR code can store URLs (the most common use case), plain text, phone numbers (tel: prefix), email addresses (mailto: prefix), SMS messages, vCard / meCard contact records, Wi-Fi network credentials (WIFI: protocol), calendar events (iCal format), geographic coordinates, and arbitrary binary data. The maximum capacity depends on the data type and error correction level: up to 7,089 numeric digits, 4,296 alphanumeric characters, or 2,953 bytes of binary data at the lowest error correction level.

Error correction level L allows up to 7% of the code to be restored if damaged. Level M allows 15%, Q allows 25%, and H allows 30%. Higher levels produce larger, denser QR codes because more redundant data is embedded. Use level M for standard printed uses (business cards, labels, posters). Use level H if you plan to overlay a logo or graphic in the center of the QR code, or if the label will be used in harsh physical conditions.

The absolute minimum recommended print size for a QR code is approximately 2 cm × 2 cm (0.8 inches square) when scanned at a typical distance of 20–30 cm with a modern smartphone. Smaller QR codes are physically possible but may fail to scan reliably on older devices or in low-light conditions. For best results on small labels, reduce the data length, use a lower error correction level, and download as SVG for sharp printing at any scale.

Yes. QR codes with a logo or image overlay in the center are fully scannable as long as the overlay covers no more than 30% of the symbol area and error correction level H is used. The Reed–Solomon error correction built into QR codes is specifically designed to recover from partial data loss, which is what a center logo effectively creates. This generator produces clean SVG output that you can open in any vector editor (Illustrator, Figma, Inkscape) to add a logo overlay.

A static QR code — one that encodes a URL or text directly — never expires. The code itself is a permanent encoding of whatever data you entered. However, if the encoded URL resolves to a page that has been taken down, the scan will result in a broken link. If you need the ability to change the destination without reprinting the QR code, use a URL shortener or redirect service as the encoded URL.

The term 'barcode' broadly covers both 1D (linear) barcodes and 2D matrix codes. QR codes are a type of 2D barcode. Traditional 1D barcodes (Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A) encode data in a sequence of parallel lines and spaces readable only along one axis. QR codes encode data in a 2D grid of modules, can be read in any orientation, and store far more data than any 1D format. Use a 1D barcode when your system requires it (retail point-of-sale, GS1 supply chain); use a QR code when you need to link to digital content or store larger amounts of data.

For printed labels and packaging, download as SVG whenever possible — SVG is resolution-independent and will produce sharp output at any physical size. If PNG is required, generate the largest pixel dimensions your design allows; QR codes scale cleanly when enlarged and should never be upscaled from a small PNG. For screen-only use (email, web pages), a PNG of 300 × 300 pixels or larger is sufficient for most QR code densities.

Yes. All QR code generation is performed entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your URLs, phone numbers, contact details, and any other encoded data are never sent to any server and are never stored or logged anywhere. Closing the browser tab clears all data. This generator is safe to use with private URLs, internal identifiers, or any sensitive information you need to encode.