What Can You Encode in a QR Code?
URL / Website
Any link — product pages, social profiles, landing pages, portfolios. Most common QR use case.
WiFi Password
Guests scan and connect instantly. Perfect for cafés, hotels, Airbnb and offices.
vCard / Contact
Name, phone, email, company, website — one scan saves the full contact. Replaces business cards.
Pre-fills recipient, subject and message. One scan, ready to send.
Location
Opens directly in Google Maps. Great for business addresses and event venues.
Event
Creates a calendar invite with title, time and location. Scan to add directly to phone calendar.
Error Correction — The Feature Most People Skip
Every QR code has an error correction level that determines how much damage it can sustain while still scanning. There are four levels — and choosing the right one matters more than most people realize.
| Level | Recovery | Code Size | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| L | 7% | Smallest | Clean indoor use, tiny QR codes |
| M | 15% | Medium | General use — good default |
| Q | 25% | Larger | Industrial, outdoor |
| H | 30% | Largest | Logo QR codes, rough conditions |
Rule of thumb: use M for general use, H if you're adding a logo. The logo covers part of the code — higher error correction compensates for that.
Adding a Logo to Your QR Code
Enable "Add Logo" in the settings above and upload your PNG, JPG or SVG. A few things worth knowing before you print:
- Set error correction to H — allows 30% of the code to be covered while still scanning
- Keep the logo under 30% of the QR code area — larger logos prevent scanning
- Test before printing — click Validate above to confirm it scans correctly
- Simple logos work best — a clean icon scans better than a detailed photo
💡 Always validate before printing at scale. Click the Validate button above — it reads the QR code using your camera and shows the decoded value. If it scans in under 3 seconds, you're good to go.
Static vs. Dynamic QR Codes
You may have seen services offering "dynamic QR codes" you can edit after printing. Here's what they don't tell you upfront:
- Dynamic QR codes route through the provider's redirect server — if they shut down, your codes stop working
- There are usually monthly fees after the free tier
- Your users' scan data is collected by the provider
The QR codes generated here are static — they directly encode your URL or data. They never expire, never depend on a third-party service, and work completely independently. For most use cases, that's exactly what you need.
✅ Static QR codes never expire. A code generated today will still work in 10 years, as long as the destination URL stays active. No subscriptions, no surprises.
QR Code Size Guide
- Business card: 2×2cm minimum
- Product packaging: 2.5×2.5cm minimum
- Table tent / menu card: 4×4cm
- Poster or flyer: 5×5cm minimum
- Window sticker: 8×8cm or larger
Download as SVG for print — it scales to any size without pixelation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I create a QR code for free?
Use the generator at the top of this page — select content type, enter your data and download. No signup, no payment, no watermark.
Can I create a QR code for WiFi?
Yes. Select WiFi, enter your SSID, password and security type. Guests scan and connect instantly — no typing required.
Do QR codes expire?
Static QR codes generated here never expire. They directly encode your data — no third-party redirect service involved.
What error correction level should I use?
Level M for general use. Level H if you want to add a logo. Level L for the smallest possible QR code in clean conditions.
Can I add a logo to my QR code?
Yes. Enable Add Logo, upload your image, set error correction to H, and always validate before printing at scale.
Generate Your QR Code — Free
URL, WiFi, vCard, email, location — no signup, no watermark.
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