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QR code generator

  • On device
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How to make a QR code

  1. Pick what the code should hold: a Link, Text, Wi-Fi, Contact, Email or Phone number.
  2. Fill in the fields. The preview updates as you type, and a message tells you if something is missing.
  3. Choose colours, error correction and size if you like, then select Download PNG or Download SVG.

Before you print or share a code, scan it with your phone to confirm it opens the right thing.

What each type does

  • Link opens a web address. If you leave out https:// it is added for you.
  • Text shows any text when scanned.
  • Wi-Fi lets phones join a network without typing the password. Choose WPA for most routers, WEP for very old ones or no password for open networks.
  • Contact makes a vCard that phones offer to save to the address book.
  • Email opens a new message with the address, subject and text filled in.
  • Phone starts a call to the number.

These are all static codes. The information is stored inside the pattern itself, so there is no account, no tracking link and nothing that can stop working.

Colours, size and error correction

Scanners need strong contrast. Dark code on a light background is read by every scanner. Light code on a dark background works on some phones only, and similar colours may not work at all, so the tool warns you. Error correction adds redundant data so a code can still be read when part of it is damaged or covered: L recovers about 7 percent, M about 15 percent, Q about 25 percent and H about 30 percent. More correction means more squares, so very long text works best at a low level.

Tips

  • Keep the quiet border (the empty margin). Scanners need it to find the code.
  • Print at least 2 centimetres wide. Test at the real size and distance.
  • Shorter content makes simpler codes that scan faster. Use a short link rather than a long one.
  • To check a code you already have, use the QR code reader. For product labels, see the barcode generator.
  • Need a strong Wi-Fi password first? Make one with the password generator.

Your content is turned into a code on your device and is never uploaded.

Questions

Do these QR codes expire or track scans?

No. The code holds your text directly, with no redirect through our servers, so it works forever and nobody can see who scans it.

Which error correction level should I pick?

Medium suits most uses. Choose High if the code will be printed small or may get scratched, or if you plan to place a logo over it. Higher levels make the code denser.

What size should I download?

For print, use SVG, which stays sharp at any size. For screens, a PNG of 512 to 1024 pixels is plenty. Keep a quiet border around the code.

Can I make a Wi-Fi QR code?

Yes. Choose Wi-Fi, enter the network name and password, and phones can join by scanning. The password stays in the code on your device.

Is my data uploaded?

No. The code is drawn in your browser. Nothing is sent or stored.

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