Turn any link or text into a downloadable QR code.
Enter text above to generate a QR code
How to use the QR code generator
Type or paste a link or some text, choose a size (150, 250, 350 or 500 pixels square), and your QR code appears. Click the download button to save it as a PNG image. The code updates a moment after you stop typing.
What you can put in a QR code
Website links. Include the full address, starting with https://.
Plain text such as a short message, a serial number or an instruction.
Phone numbers and email by writing them as tel:+15551234567 or mailto:name@example.com.
Wi-Fi details in the standard text format WIFI:T:WPA;S:NetworkName;P:Password;;, which most current phone cameras recognize.
Tips for a code that scans reliably
Keep it short. More text makes a denser code that is harder to scan at small sizes. For long links, use a shorter address.
Keep contrast high. Dark code on a light background works best. Don't put it on a busy image.
Leave a blank margin around the code, and print it large enough to scan. About 2 cm (0.8 in) square is a common minimum for close-range scanning.
Test before you print. Scan the code with a phone, ideally more than one, and check that it opens what you expect.
Codes are generated with medium error correction (about 15% of the code can be damaged or covered and still scan).
Why won't my QR code scan?
The code is too small or blurry. If it's being printed, don't shrink it below about 2 cm (0.8 in) square, and avoid stretching or resizing it unevenly, which distorts the pattern.
Low contrast or a busy background. A dark code on a light, plain background scans far more reliably than one placed over a photo or gradient.
No quiet zone. QR codes need a small blank margin around them to scan. Don't crop the image right up to the edge of the code.
The link itself is broken. A code scans fine but leads nowhere if the URL is mistyped or the page has moved. Test the link separately from testing the scan.
Screen glare or curved surfaces. Codes on shiny packaging or curved cups can be hard for a camera to read cleanly; a matte finish scans best.
Choosing the right size for the job
Use case
Suggested size
Business card
150-250 px (small, close-range scan)
Flyer or menu
250-350 px
Poster or storefront window
350-500 px, printed large
Digital use (website, slide)
250 px is usually plenty on screen
As a rule of thumb, a code should be scannable from roughly the same distance a person would need to read the text next to it — a poster meant to be read from a few feet away needs a code sized for that same distance, not for the same size as text.
Frequently asked questions
Do these QR codes expire?
No. The information is encoded directly in the image, so it works as long as the destination itself does. That also means it can't be edited later, and there is no scan tracking. If the link changes, generate a new code.
Can I change the colors or add a logo?
Not at the moment. Codes are standard dark-on-light squares, which is also the most reliable format for scanning.
Is what I type sent anywhere?
No. The code is created in your browser, and your text isn't sent to or stored on a server. Making a code for a Wi-Fi network? The password generator can create a strong password to put in it.