A QR code is a square barcode that a phone camera can read. It can open a website, show a short message, start an email, or join a WiFi network. You do not need an app store account 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 URL, Text, Email, or WiFi.
- Type the content. For a website, include
https://. - Pick a size. For print, 400px or 500px is safer than 200px.
- Click Generate QR Code, then download PNG (or SVG if available).
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.
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.
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.
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.