Free QR codes with no strings attached
Many “free” QR code generators create dynamic codes that redirect through their servers – and stop working when a trial ends, or show ads before your link. Codes from this QR code generator are static: your content is encoded directly in the pattern. They never expire, need no account and don’t track anyone who scans them.
QR code types
- Website link – the most common type. Use the full address including
https://. - Plain text – a message, a serial number or instructions.
- Wi-Fi network – guests join your network by scanning. Enter the Network name (SSID), Password and Security (WPA/WPA2/WPA3, WEP or No password), and mark it as a Hidden network if it doesn’t broadcast its name.
- Email – opens a new email with the address, Subject and Message filled in.
- Phone number – starts a call.
- SMS – opens a text message with the number and message ready.
- Contact card (vCard) – Full name, phone, email, Company and website saved straight to the phone’s contacts. Perfect for business cards and name badges.
Design options
Colour and Background. The defaults are near-black on white, which scans best. Brand colours work if the code stays dark on light with strong contrast. The tool shows a warning – “Warning: low contrast. Many scanners need a dark code on a light background.” – when your choice may not scan reliably.
Error correction. QR codes contain redundancy so they still scan when partly damaged:
| Level | Recovers | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Low (7%) | 7% of the code | Clean screens, maximum data |
| Medium (15%) | 15% | Most uses (default) |
| Quartile (25%) | 25% | Outdoor signs, packaging |
| High (30%) | 30% | Codes with a logo on top, rough surfaces |
Higher levels add more modules (squares), making the code denser. If you see “Too much data for one QR code”, shorten the content or lower the level.
PNG size (px). Default 1024 px – plenty for screens, slides and documents.
Quiet zone (modules). The blank border around the code; the standard is 4 modules. Don’t remove it – scanners need it to find the code, especially against busy backgrounds.
Download formats
- Download PNG for websites, presentations, social posts and documents.
- Download SVG (print) for anything printed. SVG is vector, so it stays razor-sharp at any size.
Printing tips
- Minimum size: about 2 × 2 cm (0.8 in) for codes scanned from up close, like business cards. Roughly, the scanning distance should be no more than 10 times the code width.
- Keep URLs short for simpler, more reliable codes.
- Always test-scan the final print with a couple of phones before ordering a large print run.
- Add a call to action next to the code – “Scan for the menu” – so people know what they’ll get.
Common uses
Restaurant menus, event tickets and posters, product packaging, business cards, Wi-Fi for guests and holiday lets, real-estate signs, wedding invitations and RSVP pages, and links to reviews or app downloads.
Related tools
Prepare a logo for the centre of a code with Remove Background, or convert the SVG to other formats with SVG Converter.
Privacy
Codes are generated in your browser. We never see the links, Wi-Fi passwords or contact details you encode.
Frequently asked questions
Do these QR codes expire?
No. They are static QR codes – the content is stored in the code itself, not behind a redirect service – so they work forever and can't be switched off by anyone.
Can I track scans?
No. Static codes don't pass through a server, so there's no scan tracking. If you need analytics, link to a URL with UTM parameters and track visits in your own analytics.
How do I make a Wi-Fi QR code?
Choose Wi-Fi network, enter the Network name (SSID) and Password, pick the Security (WPA/WPA2/WPA3, WEP or No password) and whether the network is hidden. Guests scan it to join without typing.
Which error correction level should I choose?
Medium (15%) suits most uses. Choose Quartile or High if the code will be printed on rough surfaces, may get scratched or will have a logo placed over it. Higher levels make the code denser.
Can I use colours?
Yes, but keep a dark code on a light background with strong contrast. The tool warns about low contrast, because many scanners fail on light codes or inverted colours.
Which format is best for print?
SVG. It is a vector, so it stays sharp at any size, from business cards to banners.