QR Codes

How to Create a QR Code for Free

QR codes are simple to create and cost nothing. You can generate one for any URL, text, or link in under 30 seconds — no app, no account, no payment.

How to create a QR code — step by step

1.Open a browser-based QR code generator (no sign-up required).
2.Type or paste the URL, text, phone number, or whatever you want to encode.
3.Choose your preferred output size — larger is better for print.
4.Optionally customise the colours — keep high contrast for reliable scanning.
5.Click Generate, then download the QR code as a PNG.
6.Test it by scanning with your phone camera before using it in print.

What you can encode in a QR code

·Website URL
·Plain text
·Email address
·Phone number
·WiFi credentials
·Contact card (vCard)

Tips for QR codes that scan reliably

Size matters. For print, use at least 2cm × 2cm. For large-format print like posters, scale up proportionally. QR codes that are too small or low resolution fail to scan.

Keep the quiet zone. The white border around a QR code (called the quiet zone) is not optional — it is part of the specification. Do not crop it or place content right up to the edge of the QR pattern.

Test before printing. Always scan your QR code before committing to a print run. Test it on multiple devices (iPhone, Android) and in different lighting conditions.

Generate your QR code in seconds

Any URL or text. Custom colours. Three sizes. Free, no sign-up.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I create a QR code for a website link?

Paste your website URL into a QR code generator, select your preferred size, and click generate. The QR code encodes your URL — when someone scans it with their phone camera, they are taken directly to your website. Download the QR code as a PNG image to use on printed materials, presentations, or digital content.

Are QR codes free to create?

Yes — basic QR codes (static QR codes that encode a fixed URL or text) are completely free to create and use. Dynamic QR codes, which can be edited after creation and track scan analytics, are offered by some services for a fee. For most personal and small business uses, free static QR codes are sufficient.

Do QR codes expire?

Static QR codes — which encode a fixed piece of information directly — never expire and work forever. The QR code itself is just a pattern encoding data; it does not depend on any service. Dynamic QR codes that use a redirect URL can break if the service you used to create them shuts down or you stop paying for the subscription.

What can a QR code contain?

A QR code can encode any text up to around 3,000 characters. Common uses include website URLs, plain text messages, contact details (vCard format), WiFi network credentials, email addresses, phone numbers, and SMS messages. The content is limited by the amount of data — more data means a more complex (and slightly harder to scan) QR code.

How do I put a QR code on a flyer or business card?

Generate your QR code and download it as a PNG at the largest size available (400px or higher). Insert the image into your design software (Canva, Word, Illustrator, etc.) and scale it to at least 2cm × 2cm (0.8 inches) for reliable scanning. Ensure there is a white or light-coloured border around the QR code — this quiet zone is required for scanners to read it correctly.

Can I customise the colours of a QR code?

Yes — QR codes can use custom colours instead of the default black on white. The key requirement is sufficient contrast between the QR pattern and the background. Dark patterns on a light background work best. Avoid very low contrast combinations (light grey on white, dark blue on black) as they may fail to scan reliably. Never invert the colours to make the background dark and the pattern light — this breaks most QR scanners.

More: QR Code Generator · QR Code for a Website