Utilities
QR Code Generator
Paste a website link, plain text, a phone number, a Wi-Fi string or anything else, and this tool draws a scannable QR code right in your browser. Choose how large you want the image, then download it as a crisp PNG you can print on a flyer, a business card, a menu, a product label or a packing slip. QR codes are everywhere in the United States now — on restaurant tables, parking meters, event tickets and storefront windows — because any modern phone camera reads them instantly with no app required. The generator runs entirely on your device, so whatever you encode never leaves your computer and nothing is uploaded to a server.
QR code content
Scan with any phone camera to test it before you print. Higher error correction survives smudges and logos better.
How the QR code generator works
A QR (Quick Response) code is a two-dimensional barcode made of black and white squares called modules. Your text is encoded into a grid using a fixed pattern of finder squares, alignment markers and timing rows, then wrapped in Reed–Solomon error-correction data so the code still scans even if part of it is damaged. This tool computes that grid locally and paints each module onto an HTML <canvas>, which is why it can produce a downloadable image with zero network calls.
how a QR code is built
text → encode → place modules → add error correction → render gridsize = the canvas dimension in pixels (the grid is scaled to fit) error correction = how much of the code can be obscured and still scan L ≈ 7%, M ≈ 15%, Q ≈ 25%, H ≈ 30% recoverable
The code regenerates the instant you change the text, size or error-correction level, so you always see exactly what will be saved.
Tips for reliable scanning
- Keep a quiet margin (white border) around the code — don't crop it tight when you print.
- Use Medium or higher error correction if the code will be small or placed over a busy background.
- Print at 400px or larger for anything that will be scanned from more than a few feet away.
What you can encode
Anything that's text works: a website URL, a coupon code, a calendar event, contact details, a Wi-Fi join string, a PayPal or payment link, or a plain message. For a website, include the full https:// prefix so phones open it directly. Shorter content produces a simpler, easier-to-scan grid, so trim long links where you can.
Frequently asked questions
Do these QR codes ever expire?
No. The codes this tool creates are static, meaning the link or text is baked directly into the image. There is no redirect, no account and no server in the middle, so the code works forever and never expires. The only way it stops working is if the website it points to goes offline — but that's the destination's doing, not the QR code's.
Is this QR code generator really free?
Yes, completely free with no sign-up, no watermark and no usage limits. Every code is generated in your browser using a small open-source algorithm bundled into the page, so there's nothing to pay for and nothing is uploaded anywhere.
What size and format should I download?
The tool exports a transparent-background-free PNG at the pixel size you select. For print, pick 400px or larger and place it in your design at the physical size you need; PNGs scale down cleanly. For on-screen use such as a slide or email, 280px is usually plenty. PNG is the safest format because it stays sharp and is supported everywhere.
What does error correction do?
Error correction adds redundant data so a scanner can still read the code when part of it is dirty, faded or covered. Higher levels (Q and H) recover more damage but make the grid denser, which can make very small codes harder to scan. Medium (M) is the common default and balances durability against simplicity for most printed and on-screen uses.
Can I put a QR code on a business card or flyer?
Absolutely. Download a PNG at 400px or higher, then drop it into your layout. Keep at least a small white margin around it, avoid stretching it out of square, and test the printed proof with your phone before you order a large run. For a card, linking to your website or a vCard contact file works well.