QR Code Generator

Generate QR codes from any text or URL. Customize colors and size, then download as PNG or SVG. Everything runs in your browser.

How it works: Type or paste text below to generate a QR code instantly. Customize the size and colors, then download as PNG or SVG. No data is sent to any server.

What is a QR Code?

A QR (Quick Response) code is a two-dimensional barcode that can store text, URLs, contact information, and other data. Created in 1994 by Denso Wave for tracking automotive parts, QR codes are now used everywhere — from restaurant menus to payment systems. They can be scanned by any smartphone camera, making them an efficient way to share information in the physical world.

How QR Codes Work

QR codes encode data in a grid of black and white squares called modules. The code includes finder patterns (the three large squares in corners) for orientation, alignment patterns, timing patterns, and the actual data encoded using Reed-Solomon error correction. This error correction allows QR codes to remain readable even when partially damaged or obscured.

Error Correction Levels

QR codes support four error correction levels: L (Low, ~7% recovery), M (Medium, ~15%), Q (Quartile, ~25%), and H (High, ~30%). Higher error correction means the QR code can be more damaged and still scan, but it also requires more modules (larger code). Level M is the most common balance between size and reliability.

QR Code Best Practices

  • Keep data short — shorter text means a simpler, more scannable code
  • Ensure high contrast between foreground and background colors
  • Use at least Level M error correction for printed codes
  • Test your QR code on multiple devices before distributing
  • Leave a quiet zone (white border) around the code for reliable scanning
  • Use URL shorteners for long URLs to reduce QR code complexity