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How to make a QR code for a link
This free QR code generator turns a link, a WiFi login, a contact card or a WhatsApp chat into a code you can download as PNG or SVG, with no sign-up. The preview updates as you type.
- Pick what the code should open. Link is the default; paste the full address, including the page path.
- Change the colors or switch to rounded modules. Keep the code dark and the background light.
- Add a logo if it helps people recognise you. Error correction jumps to H automatically.
- Scan the preview with your phone. Then press Download PNG (pick the pixel size first) or Download SVG for print.
Shorter content makes a simpler code. A 24-character link like https://multitools.tech/ fits in a 25×25 grid, while a 98-character Google Forms link needs 41×41 at the same setting. Fewer, bigger squares scan faster, so use a short link (forms.gle, youtu.be) when the platform offers one.
QR codes that don't expire
Every code made here is static. The link or text is written into the pattern itself, and nothing sits between the code and its destination. Print it on a menu, a business card or a shop sign and it will scan for as long as the paper lasts.
That's worth knowing because many "free" generators actually hand you a dynamic code. It points to a short redirect address on their server, which forwards to your link. Once the free trial ends, the redirect stops and every printed copy breaks. Dynamic codes do let you change the destination later. A free way to get the same benefit: point a static code at a page you control, such as yoursite.com/menu, and edit that page instead.
How to make a QR code for WiFi
Choose WiFi, type the network name and password, and pick the security type. Home and café routers almost all use WPA2 or WPA3, both covered by the WPA option. The code holds a short text like this:
Notice the backslash before the semicolon. Semicolons, commas, colons, quotes and backslashes have a special meaning in this format, so a network called Cafe;Guest must be written as Cafe\;Guest. The tool does that for you. Two things it can't fix: the network name is case-sensitive (HomeWiFi and homewifi are different networks), and if you change the router password, the old code stops working and you need to print a new one.
QR code with a logo: how big can it be?
A QR code carries spare data called error correction, so it can still be read when part of it is dirty, torn or covered. A logo is deliberate damage. Higher levels let you cover more, but the code gets denser.
| Level | Can rebuild about | Longest link in a 33×33 code | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| L | 7% | 78 characters | Screens, clean prints, long text |
| M | 15% | 62 characters | Most uses (default) |
| Q | 25% | 46 characters | Outdoor signs, stickers that get scuffed |
| H | 30% | 34 characters | Codes with a logo |
This tool caps the logo at 22% of the code's width, which covers roughly 5% of its area plus a one-module border. That stays well inside what level H can repair. Pick a logo with a transparent background and simple shapes; a detailed photo shrunk that small turns into a smudge.
What size should a printed QR code be?
The common rule of thumb in print is a tenth of the distance people will scan from.
| Where it goes | Typical distance | Minimum width |
|---|---|---|
| Business card, table tent | 20 to 30 cm | 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in) |
| Flyer or menu held in hand | 40 cm | 4 cm (1.6 in) |
| Poster on a wall | 2 m | 20 cm (8 in) |
| Shop window, banner | 5 m | 50 cm (20 in) |
Treat these as minimums for a simple code. A long vCard or a 98-character link packs more squares into the same space, so print it bigger. Don't go below 2 cm in any case.
PNG or SVG?
For print, take the SVG. It stays sharp at any size and opens in Illustrator, Inkscape, Figma and Canva. PNG is fine for websites, slides, emails and WhatsApp. At 300 dpi, a 1024 px PNG prints about 8.7 cm wide and a 2048 px PNG about 17 cm; beyond that, use the SVG.
Other things a QR code can do
- WhatsApp: creates a wa.me link such as https://wa.me/15551234567?text=Hi. Scanning opens a chat with your number and the message already typed, which is handy for bookings and orders.
- Contact: a vCard 3.0 card with name, phone, email, company and address. The phone asks whether to save it.
- Event, email, phone, SMS: add a calendar entry, open a pre-filled email, start a call or prepare a text.
- Location: a Google Maps link opens on iPhone and Android alike. The geo: format opens the phone's default map app, but some camera apps ignore it, so the Maps link is the safer choice.
Why a QR code won't scan
- Low contrast. Light grey on white looks stylish and fails in dim light. The tool warns you below a 4:1 contrast ratio.
- Inverted colors. A white code on black is valid, but plenty of scanners still won't read it.
- No quiet zone. The standard asks for an empty margin of 4 modules around the code. Cropping it makes the code blend into nearby text.
- Too dense for its size. Shorten the content or print larger.
- Glossy or curved surfaces. Reflections on laminated menus break up the pattern. Test the printed item, not just the file.
Frequently asked questions
Do QR codes made here expire?
No. These are static QR codes: the link or text is stored in the pattern itself, so a code printed today still scans in ten years. It only stops working if the destination does, for example if your website goes offline.
Is this QR code generator free with no sign-up?
Yes. There is no account, watermark or scan limit, and the code is drawn in your browser, so nothing you type is sent anywhere. Download as many PNG or SVG files as you like.
How do I make a QR code for WiFi?
Choose WiFi, type the network name exactly as your phone shows it (capitals matter), pick WPA/WPA2 and enter the password. Guests scan it with the camera app and join without typing, which works on current iPhones and most Android phones.
How do I make a QR code for a link?
Paste the link into the Link field and the code appears straight away. Scan it once with your phone to check it opens the right page, then download a 1024 px PNG for screens or an SVG for print.
Can I put my logo in the middle of a QR code?
Yes. Add the logo and error correction switches to H, which can rebuild about 30% of the code, while the logo is capped at 22% of the width. A code with a 20% logo scanned fine in our tests, but always test-scan before printing.
What size should a printed QR code be?
Make it at least one tenth of the scanning distance: about 3 cm wide for a table card read from 30 cm, and 30 cm for a poster read from 3 m. Don't go below 2 cm, and print longer contents larger.
Can I change the link after printing the QR code?
Not with a static code, because the link is part of the pattern. If it might change, point the code to a page you control (such as yoursite.com/menu) and update that page instead of reprinting.
Why won't my QR code scan?
The usual causes are low contrast, a light code on a dark background, a missing quiet zone or a print that is too small. Keep a dark code on a light background with a 4-module margin, and shorten the content if the code looks very dense.