Free QR Code Generator

What Is a QR Code Generator?

A QR code generator is a program that encodes information – a website address, a WiFi password, a contact card, or plain text – into a QR code: the pattern of black and white pixels one sees when it is scanned with a phone camera. The person uses their camera to point to the code and the content is instantly displayed, rather than typing the web address or having to manually enter the contact info.

It was in 1994 that QR codes were developed by Denso Wave, a Japanese automotive supplier, for the tracking of vehicle parts on the production line. Until around 2017 when smartphone cameras were implemented, they remained primarily industrial, but since then, they've gone from restaurant menus and product packaging to event tickets and payment terminals, and even marketing campaigns.

A good generator gets three things right: it encodes your data correctly, it allows you to tweak the design without compromising scannability, and it provides you with a high-quality file that you can print and/or publish with.

Creating a QR Code (3 Steps)

1. Decide the action(s) you want your code to take. Choose the type of selection, Website URL, Plain Text, WiFi, Contact Card (vCard), Email, SMS or Social Profile, and provide the information.
2. Customize the design. Change the foreground and background colors, choose a frame or call to action text ("Scan Me") and upload a logo if desired and wished to be centered in the code.
3. Download and try it. If you need to export for digital use, use PNG, if print, use SVG/EPS - then scan it yourself using two/three phones before publishing or printing it anywhere.

There's no account, no credit card, no expiration!

Static vs Dynamic QR Codes: which one do you need?

This is the one thing most people don't understand about QR codes as well as most QR generator sites will skip over. Get this wrong and you'll end up reprinting flyers.

A static QR code is already programmed with its destination. If it is created, the link or text will not be able to be changed — you would have to make an entirely new code. They never "expire," do not expire, and are best for:

• A constant web address that is not going to be altered
• WiFi credentials
• Plain text or a contact card with a single contact.
• Any document that will not be updated after printing

Dynamic QR Codes redirect to a short URL that you can control and then to your destination URL. The redirect is customizable, so you can redirect after printing, if the campaign URL changes, or if you wish to have scan analytics (how many scans, when, and approximately where). The downside: Dynamic codes typically require the provider's redirect service to be up and running and many tools require them to be bought and paid for.

Rule of thumb: If the destination will never move and you are not interested in the scan tracking feature, then you should go with a static code, which are simpler and permanent. Use dynamic if you have a marketing campaign, are replacing the URL later on or need the scan data.

A QR code can be used to store a wide variety of information.

There is no internet connection required for WiFi, plain text or contact-card codes to operate: They do not load anything from the internet, the data is embedded in the code. For URL, video and social codes, the scanning device must have an internet connection.

How to Customise Your QR Code Without damaging It

QR codes are able to withstand up to 30% of hidden or damaged code and will still be scanned with built-in error correction. This is the space you have to fill in when you design with elements. There are some simple guidelines to follow:

• Keep contrast high. The dark foreground on a light background works best for scanning, as do low-contrast color combinations, but not the reverse.
• Place logo in the middle, not in the corners. They are the three large squares in the corners (the finder patterns): do not cover them up, they help the scanner locate the beginning of the code.
• Adjust the size according to the distance. The code must be approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) for every 10 feet (3m) of distance scanned. Small and large mean different things when it comes to a code on a business card and a code on a billboard.
• Always test before publishing! Print or display it at actual size and scan it using two different types of cell phones (iPhone and Android) as they have different ways of dealing with contrast and glare.

The most frequent problems for a QR code not scanning.

When no one can read a code (including yourself), it is nearly always one of these:

• Low contrast between the color of the code and the background
• Excessive customization – too large logo or styling over the finder patterns or excessive data area
• Printed to a scale that is not large enough to be seen from the distance the people are standing at to scan.
• Export in blurry or low resolution — when printing or otherwise, always use the vector (SVG) or highest resolution PNG format, particularly when using it for print.
• The destination link is broken — the code is correct, but the URL to which it's linked is down or has been typed.
• Screen glare or lamination glare if it's displayed on a glossy surface or a phone screen

Frequently Asked Questions