Everyday Tools
QR Code Generator
Enter a link, phone number, Wi-Fi detail, or any plain text to create a QR code, then download it as a PNG image.
Calculation inputs
The QR code updates as you type.
Results
QR code
Enter text or a link to generate a QR code.
Characters encoded
19
Image size
320 × 320 px
- Error correction
- Medium — 15% recoverable
- Format
- PNG image
- Content type
- Web link
About this calculator
This tool turns any link, phone number, or block of text into a scannable QR code image that you can download and use. People use it for sharing website links, Wi-Fi details, contact information, or printed materials that need a quick scan-to-open action.
Generated entirely in your browser. The text you enter is not uploaded or stored.
How it works
- The text is encoded into a QR matrix in your browser
- Error correction level sets how much of the code can be damaged and still scan
- The image is rendered as a PNG at the pixel size you choose
Notes and assumptions
Higher error correction makes the pattern denser but keeps the code readable when part of it is covered or worn.
Print QR codes at least one inch across so phone cameras can lock on reliably.
How it works in plain English
A QR code stores information as a grid of black and white squares arranged according to a published international standard, which any modern smartphone camera or QR scanning app can read. The generator encodes whatever text you type into that grid pattern entirely inside your browser, without sending the content anywhere else.
You can choose an error correction level, which determines how much redundant data is built into the code. Higher error correction lets the code still scan correctly even if part of the image is smudged, torn, or partially covered by a logo, at the cost of a denser, more complex-looking pattern.
The image size you select controls the pixel dimensions of the exported PNG file. A larger size produces a sharper image when printed at a bigger physical size, while a smaller size is fine for on-screen use or small printed labels, as long as the pattern stays large enough for a camera to focus on clearly.
Worked example
Typing in a website address like 'https://example.com/menu' and choosing Medium error correction at a 320-pixel size produces a downloadable QR code within a second. Anyone pointing a phone camera at the printed or displayed code is taken straight to that page, without needing to type the address. Switching the error correction to High before printing it on a table tent or sticker that might get scuffed makes the code more likely to still scan correctly even if a corner gets damaged. If the same code is instead meant only for a digital slideshow that no one will touch or print, sticking with Low error correction keeps the pattern simpler and easier for a camera to focus on from a distance, since there is little risk of physical damage to compensate for.
QR code error correction levels
| Level | Data recoverable if damaged | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| L (Low) | About 7% | Clean digital display, no printing or handling wear expected |
| M (Medium) | About 15% | General-purpose printed use, the common default |
| Q (Quartile) | About 25% | Codes exposed to some wear, or with a small logo overlay |
| H (High) | About 30% | Codes likely to be damaged, dirty, or partially obscured |
Levels follow the ISO/IEC 18004 QR code standard's four defined error correction levels.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a limit to how much text a QR code can hold?
Yes, QR codes have a maximum data capacity that depends on the error correction level chosen, with higher error correction leaving less room for actual content. Very long text or long URLs may fail to encode, so shortening the link or lowering error correction can help.
Does a higher error correction level make the QR code better?
Not universally. It makes the code more resistant to damage but also makes the pattern denser and can require a larger printed size to stay scannable. Choose the level based on how the code will be printed and handled.
Will the QR code expire or stop working?
No. The code itself never expires because it simply encodes the text or link you entered at the time. If the code encodes a URL and that page is later removed or changed, the code will still scan, but the destination content is no longer valid.
Can I put a logo in the middle of the code?
This generator produces a plain code without a logo, but higher error correction levels are generally chosen specifically because they leave enough redundancy for a small logo to be placed over the center without breaking the scan in many QR editing tools.
Why won't my phone scan the code?
Common causes include the code being printed too small, poor lighting, a blurry or low-resolution image, or the phone's camera app not supporting QR scanning natively. Try increasing the image size or improving lighting conditions before scanning again.