Free QR Code Generator

Create QR codes for URLs, text, email, phone, and SMS instantly. Customize size, colors, and error correction. Download as PNG or SVG — all generated in your browser, nothing uploaded.

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256 px · EC level M

What is a QR code?

A QR code (short for “Quick Response code”) is a two-dimensional barcode invented in 1994 by Denso Wave, originally to track parts in automotive manufacturing. Unlike a one-dimensional barcode, which can only encode a short numeric ID, a QR code stores data both horizontally and vertically — letting it pack thousands of characters into a small black-and-white grid that any modern smartphone camera can read in under a second.

QR codes have become the universal bridge between the physical and digital world. They appear on restaurant menus, product packaging, parking meters, business cards, event tickets, Wi-Fi setup screens, and contactless payment terminals. Because they’re an open international standard (ISO/IEC 18004), the same QR code works on every camera app from iPhone to Android to Windows to macOS — no app download required.

How to use this QR code generator

  1. Type or paste your content into the input field. It can be a URL, an email address, a phone number, an SMS template, or just plain text.
  2. Let auto-detection do its job, or override it. The generator inspects what you typed and applies the correct prefix (mailto:, tel:, sms:) automatically. If you want different behavior — for example, encoding the literal text “[email protected]” instead of opening an email app — pick the type from the dropdown.
  3. Customize the look. Drag the size slider for larger or smaller output, pick foreground and background colors, and choose an error correction level. Higher error correction makes the QR more resilient to damage but produces a denser pattern.
  4. Download. Click Download PNG for a raster image you can drop into slides, social posts, or emails. Click Download SVG for a vector file that prints cleanly at any size — ideal for posters, packaging, signage, and business cards.

What you can encode

  • URL — the most common use. Links to websites, landing pages, app store listings, video files, or shared documents (e.g. https://example.com/menu).
  • Email — scanning opens the user’s default mail app pre-addressed to your inbox (e.g. mailto:[email protected]). Add subject lines and body text using standard mailto: query parameters.
  • Phone — tapping a scanned phone QR triggers a call prompt on most phones (e.g. tel:+15551234567). Always include the country code with a leading + for reliable international scanning.
  • SMS — opens the messaging app with the recipient pre-filled (e.g. sms:+15551234567). Useful for support flows, opt-in keywords, and contest entries.
  • Plain text — any text snippet you want to share without it being interpreted as a link. Useful for serial numbers, coupon codes, instructions, and short messages.

Why use how7o’s QR code generator?

  • Truly free and unlimited. No signup, no email gate, no watermark on your codes, no daily cap, no “premium” tier hidden behind the good features.
  • 100% private — nothing leaves your browser. The QR encoding runs entirely on your device using a small JavaScript library. Your URLs, emails, phone numbers, and any other text you generate codes for are never sent to a server. Read our privacy policy.
  • Static codes that never expire. Many “free” QR generators secretly route scans through their own redirect domain so they can track usage and force you to upgrade later if you want to change the destination. Our codes encode your content directly. They have no expiry, no analytics pixel, no rug-pull risk.
  • PNG & SVG export. Pixel-perfect PNG for screens; scalable vector SVG for print at any size, from a 2 cm sticker to a billboard.
  • Works offline. Once the page is loaded once, you can disconnect and keep generating codes — the entire encoder lives in the browser tab.

Tips for getting the most out of your QR codes

Pick the right error correction level for the context. Use L (~7% recovery) for clean on-screen displays where the code can’t be physically damaged. Use M (~15%) for general everyday use — this is the safe default. Step up to Q (~25%) or H (~30%) when the code will be printed in environments where it might get scuffed, exposed to weather, or partially covered by a logo or sticker. Higher levels create a denser pattern but a much more forgiving code.

For print, always download the SVG. SVG files are vector graphics, which means they scale to any size without pixelation. The same file works for a 3 cm business-card code and a 1 m poster code. PNG, by contrast, has a fixed resolution — if you scale it up too far, the edges go soft and scanners struggle.

Mind the contrast. Phone cameras need a clear visual difference between foreground and background to lock onto the pattern. Dark on light always works. Inverted codes (light on dark) work on most modern readers but fail on older ones. If you must use brand colors, pick a foreground that’s significantly darker than the background — and test the result with at least one iPhone and one Android before printing in bulk.

Size for the scanning distance. A useful rule of thumb is “scanning distance ÷ 10 = minimum print size.” A code on a business card scanned from 30 cm only needs to be ~3 cm wide; a code on a poster scanned from 3 m needs to be at least 30 cm wide. Err on the larger side — a too-small code is a code that never gets scanned.

Test before you publish. Always scan your final QR with at least two devices (one iOS, one Android) before sending it to print, posting it online, or distributing it to customers. A two-minute test now prevents a very expensive reprint later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this QR code generator really free?

Yes. There is no signup, no usage limit, no watermark, and no paid tier. The tool is funded by site-wide advertising on the page itself — generation is unlimited and unrestricted.

Do my QR codes expire or get tracked?

No. The QR codes generated here are static — they encode your content directly. There is no redirect through how7o, no analytics pixel, and no expiry date. Once you download a code, it works forever.

What's the difference between error correction levels L, M, Q, and H?

Error correction lets a damaged or partially obscured QR code still scan correctly. L recovers about 7% of data, M about 15%, Q about 25%, and H about 30%. Higher levels mean a denser, more complex pattern. Use M for most online uses, and Q or H if the code will be printed in environments where it might get scuffed (packaging, outdoor signage).

What size should I use for printing a QR code?

A reliable rule of thumb: scanning distance ÷ 10 = minimum print size. A code scanned from 30 cm (a business card) only needs to be ~3 cm wide. A code on a poster scanned from 3 m needs to be ~30 cm. Always download the SVG for print so it scales without pixelation.

Can I use any colors, or are some combinations unscannable?

Cameras need strong contrast between the foreground and background. Dark on light works best. Avoid inverted codes (light foreground on dark background) — many older readers reject them. If you use brand colors, keep the foreground luminance well below the background, and test the result with a phone before printing.

Why does this tool work without uploading my data?

The QR encoding algorithm is well understood and small enough to ship as a single JavaScript file (~45 KB). Once the page loads, every keystroke is processed locally on your device. Nothing leaves your browser, which is faster, more private, and works even if your connection drops.

PNG or SVG — which should I download?

PNG is a fixed-resolution raster image — ideal for use on social media, in slides, or in emails. SVG is a vector format that scales to any size with no quality loss — use it for print materials, signage, or when you need to embed the code at multiple sizes.

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