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Free QR Code Generator

Create a QR code for a website, Wi-Fi network, email, phone number or plain text, then download it as a PNG or SVG. The codes never expire, and there's no signup and no tracking.

By Suman Sharma · Updated

QR code generator · staticLocal
Colours & error correction

Error correction

Higher levels still scan when part of the code is damaged or covered, but make it denser.

Preview● Ready to scan

How to use this tool

  1. Choose what to share

    Pick Link, Text, Wi-Fi, Email or Phone.

  2. Fill in the details

    Type the link or details. The QR code preview updates as you type.

  3. Download it

    Save it as a PNG for screens and social posts, or an SVG for print, where it stays sharp at any size.

Example

A Wi-Fi code for a café whose password contains special characters.

Input

  • Type: Wi-Fi
  • Network name: Chiya Ghar
  • Password: masala;chai:2026
  • Security: WPA/WPA2/WPA3

Result

WIFI:T:WPA;S:Chiya Ghar;P:masala\;chai\:2026;;

That's the text inside the code. The ; and : in the password are escaped with a backslash so phones don't mistake them for separators, which is a common reason homemade Wi-Fi codes fail.

Static QR codes that never expire

Many 'free' QR code sites make dynamic codes that point to their own short link first. When the free trial ends, the code stops working, which is a nasty surprise after you've printed 500 menus.

The codes made here are static. Your link, Wi-Fi details or text are stored inside the code itself. Nothing goes through my server, nothing is tracked, and the code keeps working for as long as the link it points to does.

Wi-Fi QR codes

Choose Wi-Fi, enter your network name and password, and print the code for guests, a café table or an office wall. On most iPhones and Android phones, pointing the camera at it offers to join the network straight away, no typing needed.

Tips for a QR code that scans first time

  • Keep contrast high: dark code on a light background. Light-on-dark and low-contrast colours fail on many phones.
  • Size it for the distance: as a rough rule, the code should be at least a tenth as wide as the scanning distance. 2 cm for a business card, 10 cm or more for a poster across a room.
  • Leave the quiet zone: don't crop the white border around the code.
  • Shorter is better: a short link makes a simpler code that scans faster and from further away.
  • Use higher error correction if the code may get scuffed, folded or partly covered by a logo.
  • Test it with two different phones before you print.

What you can put in a QR code

  • Website link: the most common use, for menus, flyers, packaging and business cards.
  • Wi-Fi: network name, password and security type, so guests join in one tap.
  • Email: an address, with an optional subject and message filled in.
  • Phone number: opens the dialer with the number ready.
  • Plain text: a short note, serial number or instructions, shown on screen when scanned.

Static vs dynamic QR codes

A static code stores the content itself. It's free, private and works forever, but you can't change where it points after printing. A dynamic code stores a short link to a service that redirects to your page. You can change the destination and count scans, but it usually needs a paid subscription, and the code breaks if that service shuts down or your plan ends.

If you might need to change the destination later, point a static code at a page on your own website and update that page instead.

Common errors

  • The code scans but the phone won't join

    Check the security type. WPA2 and WPA3 networks both use the WPA/WPA2/WPA3 option; choosing WEP or None gives phones the wrong instructions even though the code itself scans.

  • "That's too much data for one QR code"

    Shorten the text or link, or set error correction to Low. Long URLs with tracking parameters are the usual cause.

  • "The code and background are the same colour"

    Pick a dark code on a light background. Light-on-dark codes look good but many phone cameras can't read them.

  • A typo in a printed code

    Static codes can't be edited after printing. Scan the preview with your own phone and open the link before you send anything to print.

Frequently asked questions

Do these QR codes expire?

No. They're static codes, so the content is stored in the code itself. They'll work as long as the link or details inside them are still valid.

How do I make a QR code for Wi-Fi?

Choose Wi-Fi, enter the network name and password, and pick the security type (WPA/WPA2/WPA3 for most home routers). Scanning it lets people join without typing the password.

Should I download PNG or SVG?

PNG works everywhere and is best for screens, documents and social posts. SVG is a vector file that stays sharp at any size, so use it for printing, signs and packaging.

Can I track how many people scan my QR code?

Not with a static code. To count scans, point the QR code at a link with UTM parameters and check your website analytics.

Is my Wi-Fi password sent anywhere?

No. The QR code is drawn in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded or stored.

Are QR codes free to make?

Yes. QR codes are an open standard, and static codes like the ones here cost nothing to create or use, with no expiry and no scan limit.

How big should a printed QR code be?

At least 2 cm (about 0.8 in) square for something held in the hand, like a business card. For posters, make it about a tenth of the distance people will scan from.

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