Is the QR Generator free to use?

Yes, completely free with no sign-up required. All QR codes are generated locally in your browser.

What is the maximum data a QR code can hold?

A standard QR code can hold up to around 4,296 alphanumeric characters, though shorter content results in a simpler, more scannable code.

Can I use the generated QR codes commercially?

Yes. There are no restrictions on how you use the QR codes generated with this tool.

Why choose SVG over PNG?

SVG is a vector format that scales perfectly to any size without pixelation — ideal for print materials like posters and business cards. PNG is better for web and digital use.

QR Generator

Create QR codes for URLs, WiFi networks, contact cards, or any text. Download as PNG or print-ready SVG — no watermarks, no signup.

URL*

Settings

Size256 × 256 px

128 px1024 px

Error correction

Medium (15%) — higher = more data redundancy

Foreground

#000000

Background

#FFFFFF

qr_code_2

Fill in the form to generate a QR code

Tips

lightbulbUse H error correction if your QR will be printed on textured surfaces or include a logo overlay.
lightbulbDownload SVG for print — it scales to any size without pixelation.
lightbulbWiFi QR codes let guests connect instantly — no typing passwords.

Why use our online QR Generator?

Generate QR codes for URLs, text, or contact info instantly in your browser. No server roundtrip means your encoded data stays private — download as PNG or SVG at any size.

How to use QR Generator

1
Select the QR code type
Choose from URL, plain text, WiFi credentials, vCard contact, or email. Each type has its own input fields.
2
Enter your content
Fill in the relevant fields. For a URL, paste the link. For WiFi, enter the SSID and password. The QR code previews instantly.
3
Customize the appearance
Adjust the size, foreground colour, and background colour to match your branding or design requirements.
4
Download as PNG or SVG
Click the download button and choose your preferred format. SVG is ideal for print; PNG works everywhere online.

How QR codes encode data

A QR code encodes data as a two-dimensional matrix of dark and light squares. The data is first converted to a binary stream, then encoded using one of four modes depending on content type: Numeric (most efficient for digits 0–9), Alphanumeric (digits, uppercase letters, and a small set of symbols), Byte (any UTF-8 character), or Kanji (for Japanese characters). URLs use Byte mode.

QR codes include redundant data through Reed-Solomon error correction, which lets the code remain scannable even if part of it is obscured or damaged. There are four error correction levels: L (7% of data can be restored), M (15%), Q (25%), and H (30%). Higher error correction means more data is stored in the same code — making it larger or denser — but also makes it more scannable in poor conditions.

The amount of data a QR code can hold depends on both the version (size) and error correction level. At error correction level L, a QR code can hold up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters or 2,953 bytes. Shorter content produces a smaller, simpler code — which is why using a URL shortener before encoding improves scan reliability on small print items.

WiFi QR codes — how they work and security considerations

A WiFi QR code encodes your network credentials in a standardised text string format: WIFI:T:WPA;S:NetworkName;P:Password;;. When a smartphone camera scans this code, iOS and Android parse the format and offer to join the network automatically — no typing required. This works on iPhone (iOS 11+) and Android (Android 10+).

The security implication is important: anyone who can scan or photograph the QR code gets your WiFi password in plaintext. The password is encoded in Base64 inside the QR string, which is trivially reversible. Do not print a WiFi QR code in a publicly visible location or share it in an image on social media.

For guest networks, WiFi QR codes are excellent — you can share a limited-access guest password via QR without exposing your main network credentials. Generate separate codes for your main and guest networks and keep the main-network code strictly private. Consider regenerating your WiFi password and any associated QR codes periodically.

PNG vs SVG for QR codes — which to download

PNG is a raster format — it stores the QR code as a fixed grid of pixels. The quality depends entirely on the resolution you choose at export time. A QR code exported at 256 × 256 pixels looks sharp on screen but will be blurry or pixelated if printed at large sizes. For digital uses (websites, emails, presentations displayed on screen), PNG is the simpler choice.

SVG is a vector format — it stores the QR code as geometric shapes that scale to any size without quality loss. A single SVG file can be used on a business card at 2 cm or on a poster at 2 metres, and it will be razor-sharp in both cases. SVG is the correct choice for any print application.

One caveat: some older QR code scanners struggle with very small SVGs rendered in browsers at low effective resolution. If a QR code in SVG format fails to scan when viewed on a screen, export it as PNG at 512 × 512 pixels or larger and use that version for testing. The SVG version will always scan correctly when printed at an appropriate physical size.

Error correction levels and adding a logo to your QR code

QR codes have four error correction levels: L (7%), M (15%), Q (25%), and H (30%). The percentage indicates how much of the code's data can be destroyed or obscured while still allowing the scanner to reconstruct the original content. Higher error correction comes at the cost of a denser, more complex code pattern.

For most use cases, M level (15%) is the right choice — it tolerates minor damage, smudging, or printing artifacts without the code becoming significantly harder to scan. Use Q or H when you plan to overlay a logo or graphic on the center of the QR code, because the logo physically covers a portion of the data cells. H (30%) is the correct level for any QR code with a centered logo: the logo can cover up to roughly 30% of the code area and the scanner will still reconstruct the full URL.

The logo should be placed at the center of the code (the "finder patterns" in the three corners must never be covered) and sized to stay within the allowed error-correction threshold. A common guideline is to keep the logo to no larger than 20–25% of the total QR code area when using H error correction, leaving a safety margin below the 30% threshold. This tool exports at L error correction by default for maximum scannability on clean prints; switch to H before adding a logo overlay in a design application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the QR Generator free to use?: Yes, completely free with no sign-up required. All QR codes are generated locally in your browser.
What is the maximum data a QR code can hold?: A standard QR code can hold up to around 4,296 alphanumeric characters, though shorter content results in a simpler, more scannable code.
Can I use the generated QR codes commercially?: Yes. There are no restrictions on how you use the QR codes generated with this tool.
Why choose SVG over PNG?: SVG is a vector format that scales perfectly to any size without pixelation — ideal for print materials like posters and business cards. PNG is better for web and digital use.