A QR code is a square barcode that any phone camera can read. It can open a website, dial a phone number, save a contact, start a WhatsApp chat, show a map location, or join a WiFi network. You do not need an app to create one here: the image is drawn in your browser, then you download it.
Create one in five steps
- Open the free QR code generator.
- Choose a type: URL, Phone, SMS, vCard, WhatsApp, GPS, Text, Email, or WiFi.
- Fill in the fields. For URLs, include
https://. - Pick a size. For print, 400px or 500px is safer than 200px.
- Click Generate QR Code, test with your phone, then download PNG.
Test the file with your phone before you print a poster or pack of stickers. If the camera hesitates, increase size or restore contrast.
Website URL QR codes
This is the most common type. Encode the full address, not a partial path. https://example.com/menu is better than example.com/menu on some phones. Use a short, stable URL if you can. This generator makes a static code: the URL is stored in the image. If you change the website later, the old code still points at the old address unless that URL still redirects.
Menu QR codes
A menu QR code is a URL code that opens your menu. Put the menu on a webpage, or use a public link to a PDF, then paste that full https:// address into the URL field on the QR generator. Print the image on table tents or the window. If you update the menu at the same address, old codes still work. If the link itself changes, print a new code.
PDF QR codes
A PDF QR code does not store the file inside the square. It stores a link. Host the PDF at a stable https:// address, paste that URL, and generate. Open the downloaded image with your phone before you print packaging or a handout. If the file later moves, the printed code still points at the old address. Full steps: PDF QR code.
Google Form QR codes
In Google Forms, open the form, choose Send, and copy the link. Paste it into the URL type and generate. The scan opens the form in the phone browser. Do not replace that link with a shortener you do not control. If you close the form or restrict who can respond, the code still scans, but people cannot submit. Full steps: Google Form QR code.
WiFi QR codes
A WiFi QR code stores the network name (SSID), password, and security type (usually WPA/WPA2). Guests scan it and join without typing. Use the exact SSID, including spaces and capitalization. If the network has no password, choose the no-password option. Treat the downloaded image like the password itself: anyone who can scan it can join the network.
Email and text QR codes
An email QR code can pre-fill an address, subject, and body. Useful on a flyer when you want people to write in with a topic already set. A text QR code is for a coupon code, a short instruction, or any string that should appear as plain text after the scan. Keep text reasonably short; very long payloads make a denser code that is harder to scan from far away.
Phone and SMS QR codes
A phone QR code encodes a tel: link. When scanned, the phone opens the dialer with your number ready to call. Include the country code (e.g. +1 or +86) for international compatibility. An SMS QR code opens the messaging app with a pre-filled number and optional message — handy for product support stickers or event sign-ups.
vCard QR codes (digital business cards)
A vCard QR code stores contact information in a standard format. When scanned, the phone offers to save the contact. Enter at least a name and either a phone number or email. Add company and job title for professional business cards. Print the QR at least 2 cm × 2 cm so cameras can read it reliably.
WhatsApp QR codes
A WhatsApp QR code links to wa.me/your-number. Enter your number with country code, digits only (no + or spaces). You can add a default message that appears in the chat input field. This is popular for customer support, small businesses, and market stalls where typing a number is inconvenient. Full steps: WhatsApp QR code.
GPS location QR codes
A GPS QR code encodes coordinates as a geo: URI. When scanned, the phone opens Maps at that exact location. Find coordinates in Google Maps by right-clicking a point. Add an optional place name so the pin shows a label. Use on real estate signs, event invitations, and store window displays.
Make it scan in print
- Keep a quiet white (or light) margin around the square.
- Do not stretch the image. Scale it evenly.
- Dark code on a light background. Avoid red-on-blue or pale gray on white.
- Do not cover the three large corner squares.
- On glossy paper, test for glare. A slightly larger code helps.
Batch generation from Excel
Need many codes at once? Use the Batch QR generator to upload Excel or CSV and create up to 100 QR codes in one run — URL, WiFi, vCard, phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email, GPS, and Data Matrix can be mixed in the same spreadsheet. See the full Excel batch guide for column format and template download.
Static vs dynamic QR codes
Static codes need no server. They never expire because of a subscription, and they work without our website staying online. The tradeoff is that you cannot edit the destination after printing. Dynamic codes (not offered here) usually hide a short redirect URL so you can change the target later. If you need that, use a service that stores redirects. If you want privacy and a file you own, stay with static.