QR Code Generator
Generate a QR code from any text or URL. Free, instant, and works fully in your browser.
What is a QR code?
A Quick Response (QR) code is a two-dimensional barcode that can store text, URLs, contact info, Wi-Fi credentials, payment data and more. Originally developed by Toyota subsidiary Denso Wave in 1994 for tracking automotive parts, QR codes are now universal — readable by any modern smartphone camera.
Common uses
- Linking to a website or landing page from a print ad, business card, or sign
- Sharing Wi-Fi credentials at home or in a venue
- Restaurant menus, event tickets and product packaging
- Mobile payments (UPI, WeChat Pay, etc.)
- Authentication, two-factor codes, app downloads
About error correction levels
QR codes have built-in redundancy so they can still be read when partially damaged or obscured. Higher error correction makes the code more robust but also denser/larger:
- Low (L): ~7% of data can be restored. Smallest code, best when print quality is high.
- Medium (M): ~15%. The default — works well for most uses.
- Quartile (Q): ~25%. Use when codes will be on textured surfaces or printed small.
- High (H): ~30%. Required if you want to overlay a logo in the center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do QR codes expire?
The code itself never expires — it just encodes whatever you put in. But if it links to a URL, the QR is only useful as long as that URL works. For long-lived posters or print materials, consider using a redirect URL on a domain you control.
Can someone track when I scan a QR code?
Not the QR itself — the data is just plain text decoded by your phone. However, if it's a URL, the destination website may log your visit (IP, user agent, referrer) like any normal page view.
Is it safe to scan unknown QR codes?
Be cautious. QR codes can encode malicious URLs that lead to phishing pages or app installs. Always preview the URL before tapping (most phones show it first) and avoid scanning codes stuck on top of others — a common attack pattern.