Free QR Code Generator & Scanner Online – Create, Read, Decode
This free QR code generator and QR code scanner works entirely in your browser. Make a QR code for a link, text, email, WiFi network or contact card and download it as a sharp PNG or SVG, or scan any QR code from a photo, screenshot or live camera feed. There is nothing to install and no sign-up, and your data stays on your device.
Scan QR Code Online
Our online QR code scanner is a quick QR code reader for desktop and mobile. Upload an image, paste a screenshot or point your camera at a code, and the decoded content appears in seconds.
How to use the QR code scanner
- Choose Upload Image or Scan with Camera.
- Drop in a PNG, JPG or WEBP file, or allow camera access and hold the code inside the frame.
- Read the result, then copy it or open the link if you trust the source.
What it can read
- Website URLs and app download links
- Plain text, email, phone and SMS codes
- WiFi network codes and vCard contacts
- Several images at once, so you can scan a whole batch
Tip: to scan a QR code that is already on your phone screen, take a screenshot and upload it. A sharp, well-lit image with the whole square visible decodes best.
Stay safe. A QR code only holds data, but the link inside can still lead to a phishing page. Check the full address before you open it, and be careful with codes on stickers or unsolicited mail.
Free QR Code Generator Online
This QR code maker turns a URL, text, email, WiFi login or contact card into a printable code. Pick the type, adjust size, colors and error correction, add your logo if you like, and download.
How to create a QR code
- Select a type: URL, text, email, SMS, WiFi or vCard.
- Enter your content and choose a size and error correction level.
- Optionally set colors or upload a logo.
- Click Generate, then download the QR code to PNG or SVG.
Generator features
- URL to QR code, plus text, email, SMS and vCard
- WiFi QR code generator so guests join without typing a password
- Custom colors and a QR code generator with logo option
- High-resolution QR code to PNG and scalable SVG for print
- Bulk QR code generator for lists of links
- Four error correction levels (L, M, Q, H)
Always test the finished code with the scanner on this page before you print it.
What Is a QR Code?
QR stands for “Quick Response.” It is a two-dimensional barcode, invented in 1994 by Denso Wave, that stores data in a grid of black and white squares and can be read from any angle. The technology is defined in the international standard ISO/IEC 18004, and the format is described on the official QR Code website and in this QR code overview. A single code can hold up to roughly 4,000 characters, depending on content type and error correction.
Choose the Right Error Correction Level
Error correction lets a QR code still scan when part of it is dirty, scratched or covered by a logo. Higher levels restore more data but make the pattern denser.
| Level | Recovery | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| L | about 7% | Clean screens and long content |
| M | about 15% | General use, a good default |
| Q | about 25% | Printed flyers and packaging |
| H | about 30% | Codes with a logo, outdoor or rough surfaces |
Static vs Dynamic QR Codes
A static QR code stores the content directly in the pattern, so it never expires and cannot be edited afterward. That makes it ideal for links, WiFi logins and contact cards. A dynamic QR code points to a short redirect link you can change later and track, which suits long marketing campaigns. The codes made here are static, so they are free to use with no scan limits.
Popular Ways to Use a QR Code
- Websites and landing pages: send visitors from print to your store, blog or Google Form.
- WiFi sharing: print a WiFi QR code for cafés, offices and rentals.
- Business cards: a vCard QR code saves your contact details in one scan.
- Menus and events: link tickets, menus and schedules.
- Product packaging: point to manuals, reviews or support pages.
Running a WordPress site? Add a code to a post or product page, and keep your front-end code lean with our HTML Minifier & Beautifier. If your scanned data is JSON, the JSON Formatter makes it readable, and the WordPress Query Generator helps you build custom loops for pages that carry your codes.
Tips for a QR Code That Scans Every Time
- Keep strong contrast: dark code on a light background.
- Leave a blank margin (quiet zone) of about four modules around the code.
- Print at least 2 cm (about 0.8 in) wide, and larger for posters.
- Use SVG for print, PNG for web and social posts.
- Shorter content makes a simpler, easier-to-scan code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this QR code generator really free?
Yes. You can create and download as many codes as you need without an account or watermark.
Can I scan a QR code from an image?
Yes. Upload a screenshot or photo, or paste it from your clipboard, and the scanner decodes it instantly.
How do I scan a QR code without an app?
Open this page in any modern browser, allow camera access and point it at the code. No app is required.
Can I add a logo to my QR code?
Yes. Upload your logo and choose error correction level Q or H so the code stays readable.
What is the difference between PNG and SVG?
PNG is a fixed-size image that suits websites and social posts. SVG is vector-based and stays sharp at any size, which is better for print.
Do QR codes expire?
Static codes never expire because the data is built into the pattern. The page a link points to must stay online.
Is it safe to scan unknown QR codes?
Only open links from sources you trust. Preview the full address first, as scammers sometimes place fake codes over real ones.
Is my data stored?
No. Codes are generated and decoded in your browser, so your content is not uploaded or saved.