QR Code Generator: How to Create Custom QR Codes for Free

Key Takeaways

QR codes can encode URLs, text, email addresses, phone numbers, Wi-Fi credentials, and vCards.
Error correction level H lets you overlay a logo on the code -- lower levels keep the code compact.
Dark foreground on light background always scans best. Inverted or low-contrast color schemes cause failures.
Everything in our generator runs in your browser -- no data touches a server.

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How Does QR Code Error Correction Work?

QR codes use Reed-Solomon error correction to stay scannable when damaged or partially covered. Four levels are available: L (7% damage recovery), M (15%), Q (25%), and H (30%) — choosing H lets you safely overlay a logo on up to 20% of the code area. For a complete guide to QR code types, sizes, and best practices, see the QR code guide.

QR codes have built-in error correction using Reed-Solomon algorithms. A QR code can still scan even when part of it is damaged, obscured, or covered by a logo.

Four levels:

Level	Recovery Capacity	Best For	Trade-off
L (Low)	~7% damage recovery	Clean digital displays	Smallest code size
M (Medium)	~15% damage recovery	General use, printed materials	Good balance of size and resilience
Q (Quartile)	~25% damage recovery	Outdoor signage, rough handling	Noticeably larger code
H (High)	~30% damage recovery	Logo overlays, harsh environments	Largest code size

Putting a logo in the centre of a QR code “damages” it by covering modules. Use Level H to compensate. For a plain code on a screen, Level L is fine and produces the most compact result.

Logo size limit: 20% of the QR area

Even with High error correction, keep logos under 20% of the total QR code area. Larger logos risk creating an unscannable code, especially on budget phone cameras. Test on at least three devices before printing.

What Are the Color and Contrast Rules for QR Codes?

Dark foreground on light background is non-negotiable for reliable scanning. Black on white is bulletproof; dark navy or dark green on white also work. Light foreground on dark background (inverted codes) fails on many scanner apps and should be avoided for anything printed. A minimum contrast ratio of 4:1 between foreground and background modules is the practical floor.

You can change colors to match your brand, but contrast is non-negotiable. Scanners detect patterns by the difference between dark modules and light background.

Dark on light always works. Black on white is the gold standard. Dark navy on cream or dark green on white scan reliably too.
Light on dark is risky. Some scanners handle inverted codes, many do not. Avoid for anything printed.
Low contrast fails. Yellow on white, light grey on white, pastel-on-pastel — these break on most devices.

How Large Should a QR Code Be for Different Scanning Distances?

The standard rule: minimum QR code size equals one-tenth of the expected scanning distance. A business card code scanned at 15 cm needs at least 2 x 2 cm. A poster scanned at 2 metres needs at least 20 x 20 cm. Always export as SVG for print — vector format scales to any size without pixelation.

The further away someone scans from, the bigger the code needs to be. Rule of thumb: minimum size = 1/10th of the scanning distance.

Business cards (15 cm): 2 x 2 cm minimum
Flyers (30 cm): 3 x 3 cm minimum
Posters (1-2 metres): 5 x 5 cm minimum
Signage (3+ metres): 10 x 10 cm minimum

For print, export as SVG (scales infinitely) or the highest resolution PNG available. For digital use, PNG at 300+ pixels works.

Best Use Cases

QR codes work best as a bridge from physical to digital.

Wi-Fi sharing. Encode your network name, password, and encryption type. Guests scan and connect instantly — no dictating a 20-character password. Most phones support this natively.

Business cards. A vCard QR code lets someone save your full contact details with a single scan instead of typing.

Restaurant menus. Reduces printing costs, allows instant updates, eliminates hygiene concerns of shared menus.

Product packaging. Link to setup guides, warranty registration, or authenticity verification. Keeps packaging clean while providing depth.

Event tickets. Fast scanning at entry points without manual verification.

Payments. QR-based payment systems are standard across Asia and growing in Europe.

Practices That Prevent Scanning Failures

Always test before printing. Scan with at least three devices (iPhone, Android, an older phone) in the actual lighting conditions. A code that works on your desk may fail in direct sunlight or dim restaurant lighting.

Add a call to action. A bare QR code tells people nothing. “Scan for menu,” “Scan to connect to Wi-Fi,” or “Scan for setup guide” gets 30-50% more scans than an unlabelled code.

Provide a fallback URL. Include the link in small text below the code for people who prefer typing.

Do not over-encode. More data = denser code = harder to scan. Use a short URL or redirect instead of encoding a 200-character link directly.

Leave the quiet zone. QR codes need about 4 modules of white space around them. Cropping this margin or placing the code flush against other elements prevents detection.

Static codes cannot be updated after printing

This generator creates static QR codes — the data is baked into the image. If you need to change the destination after printing, you will need a new code. For updatable QR codes, use a redirect URL that you control.

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Check SSL/TLS certificate validity, issuer, expiry, and SANs for any domain via Certificate Transparency logs.

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Make Your Code

Use the generator above to create QR codes for business cards, menus, Wi-Fi passwords, or anything else. Test on multiple devices, keep the contrast high, and always give people a reason to scan.