QR codes are everywhere — restaurant menus, event posters, business cards, product packaging. Creating one used to mean signing up for a paid service or installing desktop software. Not anymore. This guide shows you how to generate a QR code for free in under a minute, for any type of content, with no account and no watermark.
Whether you need to share a website link, let guests join your WiFi without reading out a long password, or put your email address on a business card that anyone can scan — you will have a finished PNG in your downloads folder before you finish this sentence.
What can you put in a QR code?
A QR code is just a machine-readable version of any text string. Smartphones know how to interpret specific text formats — a URL opens the browser, a mailto: link opens the email app, and so on. The free generator supports five content types:
URL / Website
Link to any webpage. Automatically prefixes https:// if omitted.
WiFi Network
Share your WiFi — guests scan and connect without typing the password.
Email Address
Scanning opens a pre-addressed compose window in the mail app.
Phone Number
Scanning opens the dialler ready to call — great for business cards.
Plain Text
Any text message up to 2,953 characters — a note, address, or code.
How it works
Your content
qrcode
library
QR code PNG
instant download
any
scanner
Scan result
Opens browser
or connects WiFi
or dials number
How to create a QR code — step by step
Open the free QR Code Generator
Go to the QR Code Generator — no sign-up, no account required. The tool runs entirely in your browser, so nothing you enter is sent to a server.
Choose a content type
Use the "Content Type" dropdown to select what your QR code should encode: URL, Text, Email, Phone Number, or WiFi. Each type gets its own input form.
Enter your content
Type or paste your URL, email address, phone number, or message. For a URL, you can skip the "https://" — the tool adds it automatically. For WiFi, fill in the network name (SSID), choose the security type (WPA/WPA2, WEP, or No Password for open networks), and enter the password.
Customise the QR code (optional)
Adjust the size (100–400 px, default 200 px), foreground colour, and background colour. You can also pick an error correction level: L (Low), M (Medium, default), Q (Quartile), or H (High). Higher correction means the QR code can still scan even if part of it is obscured or damaged.
Generate and download
Click "Generate QR Code". A preview appears instantly. Click "Download QR Code" to save a PNG file to your device — the filename is set automatically (e.g. qr-code-url-1234567890.png) so files stay organised. Alternatively, click "Copy URL" to copy the image as a data URL, useful for embedding directly in an email or web page.
Ready to make your first QR code?
Free, instant, no sign-up. Supports URLs, WiFi, email, phone & text.
Create a QR Code free →How to test your QR code
Always scan your QR code on a real device before printing or sharing it. Here is how to open a scanner on the three most common platforms:
📱
iPhone / iPad
- 1.Open the built-in Camera app.
- 2.Point it at the QR code — no button needed.
- 3.Tap the yellow banner that appears at the top.
Works on iOS 11 and later. No third-party app needed.
🤖
Android
- 1.Open the Camera app or Google Lens.
- 2.Point it at the QR code.
- 3.Tap the link or action shown on screen.
Most Android cameras (Android 9+) scan natively. Older phones: use Google Lens.
💻
Windows / Mac
- 1.Windows: open the built-in Camera app (search "Camera" in Start menu) and point it at the QR code on screen.
- 2.Mac: no native QR scanner — use your iPhone camera pointed at the screen.
- 3.Or upload the PNG file to any free online QR code reader.
Easiest desktop test: keep your phone next to your screen and scan it directly.
Before printing: test in both good and low lighting conditions, and on at least two different devices. A code that scans perfectly on your phone may fail on an older model with a lower-quality camera.
Creating a WiFi QR code
WiFi QR codes are one of the most practical uses of this technology. Instead of reading out a long, complex password, guests scan a code and connect instantly. Here is everything the tool supports:
| Setting | Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Network name (SSID) | Any text | Required. Special characters are automatically escaped. |
| Security type | WPA/WPA2, WEP, No Password | Use WPA/WPA2 for modern routers. Use "No Password" for open networks. |
| Password | Any text | Required unless "No Password" is selected. Not shown in the QR code. |
| Hidden network | Yes / No | Enable if your router does not broadcast its SSID. |
Tip for Airbnb hosts and cafés: Print the WiFi QR code, laminate it, and place it at check-in or on tables. Guests connect in one scan without you needing to be present.
Error correction: which level should you choose?
Error correction lets a QR code be read even when part of it is damaged, dirty, or covered by a logo. Higher levels add more redundancy — but also make the code visually denser (more squares).
L — Low
7% recovery
Best for: Digital use only (screens, emails)
M — Medium (default)
15% recovery
Best for: General purpose — posters, flyers, websites
Q — Quartile
25% recovery
Best for: Printed materials, slightly dirty environments
H — High
30% recovery
Best for: Outdoor signage, packaging, overlaid logos
Customising colours
The tool lets you set both the foreground (dark squares) and background (light squares) colours using a colour picker. Here are four combinations and when to use each:
Standard
White / Black
Best scan reliability
Brand colour
White / Dark blue
Good contrast, on-brand
Inverted
Dark / White
Works on modern phones
Low contrast ✗
Light grey / Grey
Frequently fails to scan
- Dark foreground on a light background — the standard and most reliable.
- Brand colours work well as long as there is sufficient contrast.
- White foreground on a dark background (inverted) also scans correctly on most modern phones.
- Avoid low-contrast combinations (e.g. light grey on white) — these frequently fail to scan.
- Avoid gradients or transparent backgrounds if you plan to print the code.
Popular QR code use cases
🍽️
Restaurant menus
Link to a PDF or web menu. Update the URL anytime without reprinting.
📇
Business cards
Encode your website URL or email. Scanning adds your contact details instantly.
📦
Product packaging
Link to setup guides, warranty registration, or product pages.
🎤
Event posters
Link to ticket purchases, event pages, or RSVP forms — no URL to type.
🏨
Hotel / Airbnb check-in
WiFi QR code on the welcome card — guests connect without asking for the password.
🎓
Classroom & education
Share reading links, assignment forms, or survey URLs without typing long addresses.
Features & limitations
100% browser-based — no files or passwords are sent to any server.
No watermark — the downloaded PNG is clean and ready to print.
No sign-up or account required — generate and download immediately.
Maximum content length is 2,953 characters — long text must be shortened.
Output format is PNG only — SVG export is not currently supported.
Static QR codes only — the encoded content cannot be changed after download. Generate a new code if you need to update the link.
Frequently asked questions
Is this QR code generator really free?
Yes. There are no paid tiers, no watermarks, and no sign-up. You can generate and download as many QR codes as you need.
Does scanning a WiFi QR code share my password?
The password is encoded inside the QR code image, so anyone who scans it will connect to your network. Keep the image private — do not post it publicly online. Your password is never sent to any server.
What size should I export for print?
For business cards and small prints (under A6), 200–300 px is fine at normal screen/web resolution. The tool generates up to 400 px. For large-format printing (posters, banners) export at 400 px and then scale up in your design software — QR codes are geometric patterns that upscale cleanly without blurring.
Can I change the content after I download the QR code?
No — the tool creates static QR codes, meaning the content is fixed at generation time. If you need to update the URL or content, generate a new QR code with the updated information.
My QR code is not scanning. What should I try?
First, check there is sufficient contrast between the foreground and background colours. Second, ensure the code has a quiet zone (white border) when printed — the tool adds one automatically, but if you crop or embed the image leave some padding around it. Third, try a higher error correction level (Q or H) which adds redundancy. Finally, test on multiple devices before printing at scale.
Do the files stay private?
Yes. The QR code is generated entirely in your browser using the qrcode JavaScript library. No content is uploaded to any server. Everything stays on your device.
Create your QR code in under 60 seconds
Free, no sign-up, no watermark. Works on Mac, Windows, iPhone, and Android. Download a clean PNG ready for print or digital use.
Open QR Code Generator →