QR Code Generator
Generate customizable QR codes with custom colors, center logos, and multiple export formats. All processing happens locally in your browser with zero server uploads.
How to Generate a QR Code
Creating a QR code takes seconds with this free online generator. Whether you need a simple URL code for a business card or a branded QR with your company logo, the entire process runs locally in your browser. No data leaves your device, making it safe for sensitive content like WiFi passwords or contact information.
- Enter your content in the text area. Type or paste a URL, plain text, WiFi credentials, email address, phone number, or vCard data. Use the quick template buttons for pre-formatted structures.
- Customize appearance by selecting foreground and background colors, adjusting the output size (200 to 2000 pixels), and setting the quiet zone margin. Choose an error correction level based on your use case.
- Add a center logo (optional) by clicking Choose Image. Upload any image under 2 MB. The tool automatically sizes and positions it with a white padding border. Use High error correction when adding logos.
- Preview the result in real time. The QR code updates instantly as you type or change settings. The stats panel shows module count, output dimensions, ECC level, and character count.
- Download or copy using the PNG button (raster, ideal for print), SVG button (vector, infinite scaling), or Copy button (clipboard for quick pasting). Edit the filename field before downloading.
Features
- Real-Time Preview updates the QR code instantly as you type, change colors, or adjust settings
- Custom Colors with full color picker for both foreground modules and background
- Center Logo Overlay with automatic sizing, white padding border, and 2 MB file validation
- 4 Error Correction Levels from Low (7%) to High (30%) recovery capacity
- Adjustable Quiet Zone margin from 0 to 8 modules for scanner compatibility
- PNG and SVG Export for both raster and vector output formats
- One-Click Clipboard Copy for instant sharing without downloading
- Editable Output Filename so downloads are named meaningfully
- Quick Templates for URL, WiFi, Email, Phone, vCard, and SMS formats
- Keyboard Shortcuts with Ctrl+D to download and Enter to regenerate
- Processing Statistics showing module grid size, output dimensions, ECC level, and input length
- Reset Button to clear all settings and start fresh without refreshing the page
- 100% Client-Side with zero server uploads, works completely offline after loading
Use Cases
Business and Marketing: Add QR codes to business cards linking to your portfolio, print them on product packaging for quick access to manuals, or place them on restaurant tables for digital menus. Custom colors and logos help maintain brand consistency across all printed materials.
WiFi Sharing: Generate a WiFi QR code using the WiFi template and print it near your router or in a guest room. Visitors scan it to connect instantly without typing long passwords. The WIFI: format is universally supported by iOS and Android camera apps.
Event Management: Create QR codes for event registration links, venue maps, or digital tickets. The SVG export produces crisp codes at any print size, from small badge labels to large banners. High error correction ensures scanability even on curved or partially obscured surfaces.
Tips and Tricks
- Always use High error correction with logos. The logo covers central modules, so 30% recovery capacity ensures the code remains scannable even with 22% of the area obscured.
- Keep content short for smaller, faster-scanning codes. A URL shortener can reduce a 200-character link to 30 characters, producing a simpler QR grid that scans reliably from greater distances.
- Maintain high contrast between foreground and background. Dark modules on light backgrounds scan best. Avoid low-contrast combinations like yellow on white or dark blue on black.
- Test your QR code before printing. Scan it with at least two different phone cameras. Some older scanners struggle with inverted colors (light on dark) or very small quiet zones.
- Use SVG for print materials. SVG files scale to any size without pixelation, making them ideal for posters, banners, and high-DPI printing. PNG is better for digital use and social media.
Understanding Error Correction
QR codes use Reed-Solomon error correction to remain readable even when partially damaged or obscured. The four levels offer different trade-offs between data capacity and resilience. Level L recovers up to 7% damage and produces the smallest codes. Level M (default) handles 15% and works well for most digital uses. Level Q recovers 25% and suits printed codes that may get scratched. Level H provides 30% recovery, essential when adding center logos since the logo physically covers modules that must be reconstructed from redundancy.
Higher error correction increases the module count, making the QR grid denser. For very long content (over 500 characters), consider using Level L or M to keep the code scannable at smaller physical sizes. For short URLs or WiFi passwords, Level H adds minimal complexity while maximizing durability.
QR Code Data Formats
QR codes can encode more than plain text. Standardized URI schemes trigger specific actions when scanned. The WiFi format (WIFI:T:WPA;S:name;P:pass;;) auto-connects devices to networks. The vCard format embeds full contact cards that phones can save directly. Email (mailto:) and phone (tel:) prefixes open compose windows or dialers. SMS codes use smsto: to pre-fill text messages. All these formats are supported by the quick template buttons above.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much data can a QR code hold?
A single QR code can store up to 7,089 numeric characters, 4,296 alphanumeric characters, or 2,953 bytes of binary data. In practice, keeping content under 300 characters produces codes that scan quickly and reliably from a distance. Longer content creates denser grids that require closer scanning.
Is my data sent to a server?
No. This tool processes everything locally in your browser using JavaScript. No data is uploaded, stored, or transmitted. You can verify this by disconnecting from the internet after the page loads. The QR code generator continues to work offline.
Can I add a logo without breaking the QR code?
Yes, when you use High error correction (30% recovery). The logo covers approximately 22% of the central area, which falls within the recovery capacity. Always test the final code with multiple scanners before printing. Avoid logos larger than 25% of the QR area.
What is the difference between PNG and SVG export?
PNG is a raster format with fixed pixel dimensions, ideal for digital use, social media, and web embedding. SVG is a vector format that scales to any size without quality loss, making it perfect for print materials like business cards, posters, and packaging where the final print size varies.
What size should I make my QR code for printing?
For reliable scanning, the minimum printed size should be 2 cm (0.8 inches) per side for simple codes. Complex codes with many modules need larger sizes. A good rule: the minimum module size should be at least 0.75 mm. For a 33x33 module code, that means at least 2.5 cm printed width. Use SVG export for print to ensure crisp edges at any DPI.
Do QR codes expire?
Static QR codes never expire. The data is encoded directly in the pattern and remains readable indefinitely. However, if your QR code points to a URL, the link itself could become invalid if the website changes. For long-term use, point QR codes to URLs you control and can redirect later if needed.
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QR codes have become essential for bridging physical and digital experiences. From contactless payments to event check-ins, they provide instant access to information with a simple camera scan. This generator gives you full control over appearance and format while keeping your data completely private through client-side processing.