How to use the qr code generator
- Choose what the code contains: Text or link, Wi-Fi network or Contact card, then fill in the fields.
- Pick an error correction level and an image size. Medium and 512 pixels suit most uses.
- Optionally change the code and background colors. Watch for the contrast warning.
- Check the preview, scan it with a phone, then press Download PNG or Download SVG.
Static codes: no tracking and no expiry
The codes made here are static. The text, link or Wi-Fi details are written directly into the pattern of squares. There is no short link in between, no redirect through a server, no account and no scan counter, so nothing can be switched off later and nothing expires. A downloaded code works for as long as the content inside it stays valid. A link works as long as the website does.
The flip side is that a static code cannot be edited after printing. If you might need to change the destination, point the code at a page address you control and change what that page shows. Everything is generated in your browser, and what you type is never uploaded.
Content types
Text or link can hold any text. For a web address include https:// so phones recognize it as a link. Wi-Fi uses the format phone cameras understand, WIFI:T:WPA;S:name;P:password;;, with a hidden network flag when needed. Characters with special meaning in that format, which are backslash, semicolon, comma, colon and the double quote, are escaped, so a network named Cafe;Guest is encoded correctly. Anyone who scans a Wi-Fi code can read the password, so print it only where you are happy to share the network.
Contact card builds a basic vCard 3.0 with name, organization, job title, phone, email and website. Commas, semicolons and line breaks are escaped as the format requires. Phones offer to save the contact when they scan it.
Error correction, size and colors
QR codes carry extra data so a scanner can recover from smudges or a logo laid on top. Level L can recover about 7 percent of the code, M about 15, Q about 25 and H about 30. Higher levels make the pattern denser, so they need a larger print size to scan well. The code is drawn with the standard four-module quiet border, and images are exactly the pixel size you choose.
Scanners need strong contrast between the code and its background, and most expect a dark code on a light background. The page warns you if the contrast ratio is below about 4:1 or if the code is lighter than its background, since some apps cannot read inverted codes. Always test a printed code with more than one phone before sharing it widely.
PNG or SVG
PNG is a fixed size picture, ideal for slides and documents. SVG is a vector file that stays sharp at any size, so it is the better choice for printing on posters or packaging. Both use the colors you picked.
Assumptions and limits
- Only static codes are made. There is no scan tracking, analytics, expiry or editing after download.
- The maximum content depends on the error correction level. If it does not fit, the page says so and you can shorten the text or lower the level.
- The Wi-Fi password and any contact details are stored in the image in readable form.
- Colors that look fine on screen can scan poorly when printed. Test a printed copy.
- The tool does not add logos or decorative shapes, which can reduce scan reliability.
Frequently asked questions
Do these QR codes expire or track scans?
No. They are static, which means the content is encoded directly in the image. There is no redirect, no account and no counter, so the code keeps working as long as what it points to exists.
Which error correction level should I choose?
Medium suits most screens and prints. Pick Q or H if the code will be printed small, may get scuffed, or will have a logo placed over its center. Pick L when you need the smallest possible pattern.
How do I make a QR code for my Wi-Fi?
Choose Wi-Fi network, enter the network name and password, pick the security type and tick Hidden network if it does not broadcast its name. Guests can then join by scanning, without typing the password.
Why does the page warn me about contrast?
Scanners tell the dark squares from the light background by brightness. Pale colors, or a code lighter than its background, make that difficult for some apps. Use a dark code on a light background.
Can I make a QR code for a long document or an image?
A code can hold only a few thousand characters, so it cannot hold a file. Upload the file somewhere and encode its web address instead. For passwords to put in a code, create them with the password generator.