QR code generator

Free QR codes that never expire

Type a link or some text and the QR code appears right away. You can also make a code that joins a Wi-Fi network, starts an email, calls a phone number or opens a ready-to-send SMS. Download it as a PNG for screens or as an SVG that stays sharp at any print size.

These are static QR codes: your content is stored in the pattern itself, not behind a redirect. That means nothing to renew, no tracking and no expiry date. Many "free" generators make dynamic codes that stop working when a trial ends; a static code keeps working as long as the destination does. The code is drawn in your browser, so what you type is not sent to our server.

How to make a QR code

1. Choose the type: text or link, Wi-Fi network, email, phone call or SMS.
2. Fill in the fields. The preview updates as you type.
3. Pick a size, an error correction level and, if you like, your colors.
4. Download the PNG or SVG and test it with your phone camera before you print it.

What each type does when scanned

• Text or link: Opens the website (start links with https://) or shows the text.
• Wi-Fi network: Joins the network without typing the password. Works with the camera app on iPhone (iOS 11+) and most Android phones (Android 10+).
• Email: Opens a new email with the address, subject and message already filled in.
• Phone call: Offers to call the number. Include the country code, like +44 20 7946 0958.
• SMS: Opens a text message to the number with your message ready to send.

Tips for codes that scan every time

• Keep contrast high: a dark code on a light background. Light-on-dark and pale colors fail on many phones, so the tool warns you when contrast is low.
• Print it big enough. About 2 × 2 cm (0.8 in) is the minimum for a short link; as a rule, scanning distance is about 10 times the code width.
• Leave the white border (the quiet zone) around the code. Don't crop it.
• Shorter content makes a simpler pattern that scans faster. Use high error correction for codes that may get scratched or dirty outdoors.

Limits and things to know

• A static code can't be edited after printing. If the destination may change, point the code at a page you control and update that page instead.
• One QR code holds up to about 2,300 bytes at the medium level (2,953 at low). Accented and non-Latin letters take 2 to 4 bytes each, so the limit in characters is lower.
• The tool doesn't add logos or count scans. Scan counting needs a redirect service, which is exactly what makes dynamic codes expire.

Frequently asked questions

Do these QR codes expire?

No. The content is encoded directly in the image, so the code works for as long as the link or information in it is valid.

Is the QR code generator free for commercial use?

Yes. You can print the codes on menus, flyers, packaging or business cards. QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE, but the codes themselves are free to use.

PNG or SVG: which should I download?

PNG is best for websites, documents and slides. SVG is a vector file that stays sharp at any size, which makes it the better choice for printers and designers.

What does error correction do?

It adds backup data so the code still scans when part of it is damaged: about 7% at low, 15% at medium, 25% at quartile and 30% at high. Higher levels make the pattern denser.

Can I see what a QR code contains before opening it?

Yes. Upload a picture of it to our QR code reader to read the link or text without opening it.

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