QR Code Generator
Pick what the code should do, type the details and the QR code updates as you type. Download it as a crisp SVG for print or a PNG for the web. Everything happens in your browser.
Your QR code
https://methodcalculator.com
What is a QR code?
A QR (Quick Response) code is a two-dimensional barcode made of black and white squares called modules. It was invented in 1994 by Denso Wave for tracking car parts and is now the standard way to move a link or a small piece of text from paper or a screen into a phone. Any modern phone camera reads one in under a second, and the format is an open standard (ISO/IEC 18004), so codes are free to create and use.
How the code is built
Your content is converted to bytes, Reed–Solomon error-correction codewords are added, and the result is laid out in a grid together with three large finder squares (the corners) and timing patterns that tell the scanner how the grid is oriented. The grid comes in 40 sizes, from version 1 (21 × 21 modules, about 25 characters) up to version 40 (177 × 177 modules, about 2,950 bytes). The generator always picks the smallest version that fits your data at the chosen error-correction level.
Error correction lets a scanner reconstruct the content even when part of the code is dirty, scratched or covered. Level L tolerates about 7% damage, M 15%, Q 25% and H 30%. Higher levels add more codewords, so the code gets denser; Medium is the best trade-off for most uses, and High is the choice when a logo will be placed over the centre.
What each content type encodes
| Type | Encoded text | What the phone does |
|---|---|---|
| Website link | https://example.com | Offers to open the page in the browser |
| Plain text | The text itself | Shows the text, with copy and search options |
| Wi-Fi | WIFI:T:WPA;S:name;P:password;; | Offers to join the network, no typing needed |
mailto:name@example.com?subject=… | Opens a new message with the address and subject filled in | |
| Phone | tel:+15551234567 | Offers to dial the number |
| SMS | SMSTO:+15551234567:message | Opens the messaging app with the number and text pre-filled |
How to use this generator
- Choose the content type and fill in the fields. The preview updates instantly.
- Keep the default Medium error correction unless the code will be printed very small (use Low) or partly covered by a logo (use High).
- Pick colours with strong contrast: a dark foreground on a light background. Scanners expect dark modules on a light field and may fail on inverted codes.
- Choose a download size and click Download PNG for screens and documents, or Download SVG for print, where it scales to any size without blurring.
- Scan the result with your own phone before you share or print it.
Tips for codes that scan reliably
- Keep the quiet zone. The blank margin around the code is part of the specification; the download includes it, so do not crop it away.
- Shorter is better. Long URLs make dense codes that need to be printed larger. A short link produces a code with fewer modules.
- Mind the size. Print at least 2 cm (0.8 in) wide for close-range scanning and scale up with distance (roughly distance ÷ 10).
- Avoid glossy or curved surfaces where reflections and distortion confuse the camera.
- Add a call to action next to the code ("Scan to join our Wi-Fi") so people know what to expect.
Looking for a strong Wi-Fi password to put in the code? Create one with the password generator first.
Frequently asked questions
Do these QR codes expire or stop working?
No. The code you download is a static QR code: the link or text is stored directly in the pattern of squares, with no redirect through this site. It will work for as long as the content it points to exists. The flip side is that you cannot edit the destination later without printing a new code.
Can I use the QR code commercially, on packaging or in print?
Yes. QR codes are an open ISO standard (ISO/IEC 18004) and the codes you create here are yours to use for anything, personal or commercial, with no attribution or fee. Download the SVG for print so it stays sharp at any size.
Why does my QR code not scan?
The usual causes are low contrast between the two colours, a code printed too small for the amount of data, a missing quiet zone (the blank margin around the code), or the colours being inverted (light squares on a dark background). Use a dark foreground on a light background, keep the margin and test with two different phones before printing in bulk.
What size should I print a QR code?
A good rule is that the scanning distance divided by 10 gives the minimum width. A code scanned from 30 cm away on a flyer should be at least 3 cm wide; a poster read from 3 m away needs a code around 30 cm wide. Less data and a lower error-correction level make the code simpler, so it can be printed smaller.
Is the content I enter sent anywhere?
No. The code is generated in your browser by a small JavaScript library; nothing is uploaded, logged or stored. That makes it safe to encode Wi-Fi passwords and private contact details.