The square pattern on a restaurant table, the pixelated design on a product box, the code on your boarding pass — they're all QR codes. But what exactly is a QR code, how does it work, and how can you create one for free?
What is a QR Code?
A QR code (Quick Response Code) is a two-dimensional barcode invented in 1994 by Denso Wave, a Japanese automotive company. Unlike traditional linear barcodes that only store data horizontally, QR codes store data both horizontally and vertically — allowing them to hold significantly more information.
✅ Key difference: A traditional barcode holds up to 20–25 characters. A QR code can store up to 7,000 digits or 4,000 alphanumeric characters.
What Can QR Codes Store?
- URLs — Link to websites, social profiles, landing pages
- Contact info — vCard format for instant contact sharing
- Wi-Fi credentials — Auto-connect guests to your network
- Payment links — Stripe, PayPal, banking apps
- Event tickets — Concerts, flights, cinema
- Plain text — Any message or information
- Digital menus — Touchless restaurant menus
Error Correction Levels
One of QR code's most powerful features is error correction. Even if the code is partially damaged or obscured, it can still be read:
| Level | Code | Recovery Capacity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | L | 7% | Clean indoor use |
| Medium | M | 15% | General purpose — recommended |
| Quartile | Q | 25% | Industrial, outdoor |
| High | H | 30% | QR codes with a logo overlay |
⚠️ Important: If you add a logo to your QR code, always use H (High) error correction. The logo covers part of the code — without high correction, it may become unreadable.
Color Tips for QR Codes
- ✅ Dark foreground + light background always works
- ✅ Black, navy or dark green on white or cream
- ❌ Light on light — scanning failure
- ❌ Red on green — problematic for colorblind users
Step-by-Step: Create a QR Code
- Choose your content — URL, text, phone number, email
- Select size — Minimum 2×2 cm for print, 150–300px for web
- Set error correction — M for general use, H if adding a logo
- Customize colors — Dark foreground, light background
- Test it — Scan with multiple phones before distributing
- Download — SVG for print, PNG for web/digital use
Create Your QR Code — Free
Customize colors, size and error correction. Add a logo. Download PNG or SVG.
Create QR Code →