QR Code Generator
Enter any URL or text to generate a QR code instantly — updates live as you type, no signup. A QR code generator free of watermarks and signups, also usable as a plain QR code maker.
Generate a QR code
How this works
The QR code is generated entirely in your browser — your text/URL is never sent to a server. As a QR code maker free of upsells, there's no premium tier, no expiring codes, and no watermark on the download. It renders at a high resolution internally so the downloaded PNG stays sharp even when printed or scaled up, and uses a high error-correction level so the code still scans even if part of it is obscured (e.g. by a logo placed on top).
Error correction levels
QR codes carry built-in redundancy so a scanner can still read them even if part of the code is dirty, torn, or covered by a logo. There are four standard levels: L (~7% of the code can be damaged and still scan), M (~15%), Q (~25%), and H (~30%, used here). Higher error correction packs more redundant data into the same code, which makes each module slightly denser — worth knowing if you're printing very small and the code stops scanning reliably; simplifying the content (a shorter URL) leaves more room for that redundancy.
Sizing for print
A common rule of thumb: a QR code should be at least 1/10th the distance it'll be scanned from. A code meant to be scanned from about 3 feet away (a poster or table tent) should be at least 3.5-4cm (1.5in) square; one meant for a menu or business card held close can go smaller. When in doubt, size up rather than down and test-scan the printed version with a couple of different phones before printing a large run.
Static vs. dynamic QR codes
The code this tool generates is static — the URL or text is encoded directly into the pattern and can never change or expire, and it works forever with no ongoing service required. Some paid QR services sell "dynamic" codes that redirect through their own short link, letting you change the destination after printing and track scan counts — useful for certain campaigns, but it also means the code stops working if that service ever shuts down or you stop paying. For most uses (a link to your own website, a Wi-Fi password, contact info) a static code is the simpler, more durable choice.
Frequently asked questions
Do QR codes expire?
No — a static QR code (like the ones this tool generates) is just a visual encoding of text and works indefinitely, as long as the underlying URL it points to still exists. It's the destination link that can go stale, not the code itself.
Can I put a logo in the middle of my QR code?
Yes, up to a point — the high error-correction level used here (H, ~30% redundancy) is specifically chosen so a small logo covering the center still scans reliably. Keep the logo to roughly 20-25% of the code's area or less, and test-scan the result before relying on it.
Why won't my QR code scan?
The most common causes: it's printed too small for the scanning distance, there isn't enough plain "quiet zone" margin around it, it's on a glossy/reflective surface causing glare, or the encoded text is very long (long URLs make a denser, harder-to-scan pattern — a URL shortener can help).
What else can I encode besides a website URL?
Any plain text works — a Wi-Fi network string, a phone number, an email address, a physical address,
or even a short message. Some of those have special formats phones recognize automatically (e.g. a
tel: or mailto: prefix makes a phone offer to call or email directly), but
plain text will still encode and scan correctly either way.