How to create a QR code in 4 steps
- Choose what the code should doPick a tab: URL, Text, WiFi, WhatsApp, vCard, Email, SMS, Phone, Location, Event or Social.
- Enter your contentType or paste your link or details. The preview updates live and checks your input as you type.
- Customize the designChange colors, choose a dot and corner style, upload a logo and add a frame with your own call to action.
- Download, then testPick a size and download PNG, SVG, JPG or PDF. Scan the result with your phone before you print hundreds of copies.
A QR code generator that is actually free
Many "free" QR code makers give you a code that quietly redirects through their own server. After a 7- or 14-day trial the redirect stops working, and every flyer, menu and business card you printed points to a sign-up page. That is not how this tool works.
Every code made here is a static QR code: your link, WiFi password or contact details are written directly into the pattern of the code itself. There is no middleman server, no account and no subscription that can expire. As long as the destination exists (your website, your WiFi network, your phone number), the code keeps working. Forever.
Static vs dynamic QR codes
| Static (this tool) | Dynamic (paid services) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free forever | Usually a monthly subscription |
| Expires? | Never | Stops working if you stop paying |
| Sign-up | Not needed | Account required |
| Edit after printing | No (make a new code) | Yes |
| Scan statistics | No | Yes |
| Privacy | Nothing is tracked | Every scan passes through their server |
Static codes are the right choice for the vast majority of uses: WiFi cards, business cards, product packaging, wedding invitations, posters and menus that link to a page you control. If you need to change the destination later, point the code at a page on your own website and update that page instead. Read more in our guide Do QR codes expire?.
What can you put in a QR code?
- Website link: the most common use. See the URL QR code generator.
- WiFi login: guests join your network without typing a password: WiFi QR code generator.
- Contact card: save your name, phone and email in one scan: vCard QR code generator.
- WhatsApp chat: open a chat with a pre-filled message: WhatsApp QR code generator.
- Email, SMS and phone calls: start a message or a call with one tap.
- Map location and calendar events: open directions or add an event to the calendar.
- Social profiles: Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn and more.
- Payments: UPI, PayPal and crypto with the payment QR code generator.
Design tips for QR codes that scan every time
Stylish codes get more scans, but only if phones can still read them. This generator runs a real scan test on your design and warns you about common mistakes. Follow these rules and you will be safe:
- Keep strong contrast. Dark dots on a light background. A contrast ratio of 4:1 or more is a good target; pale yellow on white or dark blue on black will fail.
- Don't invert the colors. Light dots on a dark background confuse many camera apps.
- Leave a margin. The empty border around the code (the "quiet zone") tells the scanner where the code starts.
- Use error correction H with a logo. A logo hides some dots; level H lets up to 30% of the code be damaged and still scan. We switch to H automatically when you upload a logo.
- Print it big enough. A good rule is 1 cm of code for every 10 cm of scanning distance. Use our QR code size calculator to be sure.
Which file format should you download?
| Format | Best for |
|---|---|
| PNG | Websites, social media, Word and PowerPoint. Supports transparent backgrounds. |
| SVG | Professional printing, signs and logos. A vector that stays sharp at any size. |
| JPG | Apps that don't accept PNG. No transparency. |
| Sending to a print shop or printing at home on A4. |
Choose a download size of at least 1000 px for print. For large posters, download the SVG. It can be scaled to any size without getting blurry. Ready to print? Our printable QR templates turn your code into a table tent, WiFi card or sticker sheet.
Your data never leaves your device
This QR code generator runs entirely in your web browser. When you type a WiFi password or a phone number, it is never sent to us or to anyone else, and we don't store the codes you create. That makes it safe to use for private information such as your home WiFi password. Once the page has loaded, the generator even works offline.
More free QR tools
Every tool works in your browser, with no sign-up.
QR code types
Social & apps
Business
Scan & check
Print & bulk
Barcodes
Guides
- Why Did My QR Code Stop Working?
- Static vs Dynamic QR Codes: Which Should You Use?
- QR Code Size for Printing: The Complete Guide
- How to Create a WiFi QR Code (Step by Step)
- Do QR Codes Expire? The Truth About Static vs Dynamic QR Codes
- How to Spot a Fake or Dangerous QR Code
- QR Codes for Restaurants: Menus, Reviews and WiFi
Frequently asked questions
Is this QR code generator really free?
Yes. Every feature is free, including logos, colors, frames, SVG and PDF downloads and high-resolution files, with no sign-up and no watermark. We plan to fund the site with unobtrusive ads and an optional Pro plan for dynamic codes.
Do the QR codes expire?
No. These are static QR codes: the content is stored inside the code itself, not on our server, so there is nothing that can be switched off. A code keeps working as long as the destination (for example your website) exists.
Can I use the QR codes commercially?
Yes. You can print the codes on products, packaging, menus, ads and business cards, and you do not need to credit us.
Can I change the link after printing the code?
Not with a static code, because the link is part of the pattern. Tip: point the code at a page you control (e.g. yoursite.com/menu) and update that page whenever you need to.
How do I add a logo to my QR code?
Open the Logo section, upload your image and adjust its size. We automatically switch error correction to level H so the code stays readable. Keep the logo under about 40% of the code width.
Why won't my QR code scan?
The usual causes are low contrast, inverted colors (light on dark), a missing margin, a logo that is too large, or a code printed too small. The scannability check under the preview flags these problems, and our scannability checker can test a finished image.
What size should I print my QR code?
At least 2 × 2 cm (0.8 in) for something held in the hand, and roughly one tenth of the scanning distance for posters and signs. The size calculator gives an exact answer.
Is my data private?
Yes. The code is generated by JavaScript in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded, logged or stored on a server.
Related free tools
Related guides
- QR Code Size for Printing: The Complete Guide
- Do QR Codes Expire? The Truth About Static vs Dynamic QR Codes
- How to Spot a Fake or Dangerous QR Code
- Why Did My QR Code Stop Working?
- Static vs Dynamic QR Codes: Which Should You Use?
- How to Replace an Expired QR Code
- How to Make a UPI QR Code for Your Shop
- What Is a QR Code?
- How to Scan a QR Code
- QR Code vs Barcode: What's the Difference?
- QR Code Error Correction Levels Explained
- QR Code Best Practices: 15 Rules for Codes That Work
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Last updated October 27, 2026 by the QR Code Haven team. Found a problem? Tell us.
Coming soon: Pro — dynamic QR codes Waitlist
Edit where a code points after you print it, and see scan analytics (time, city, device). Your free static codes here stay free and keep working forever — Pro is an optional extra.
No spam. One email when Pro launches. Contact: hello@qrcodehaven.in