What Is a QR Code and How to Create One for Free
QR codes are those square, pixelated patterns you scan with your phone camera. They've become a fast, frictionless way to share a link, connect to Wi-Fi, or open a menu. Here's how they work and how to make your own.
How QR codes work
A QR (“Quick Response”) code stores data as a grid of black and white squares. A camera reads the pattern and decodes it into text - most often a website address. Because the data is encoded directly in the pattern, a static QR code works forever and needs no internet connection to decode.
Static vs dynamic QR codes
- Static codes contain the data itself. They never expire, involve no tracking, and keep working indefinitely.
- Dynamic codes point to a short redirect URL that can be changed later - convenient, but they rely on a third-party service that may track scans or stop working.
Our QR Code Generator creates static codes, so what you make is truly yours.
Popular uses
- Linking to a website, product page, or app download.
- Sharing your Wi-Fi network so guests can connect instantly.
- Adding contact details or a phone number to a business card.
- Putting a menu, brochure, or form on a poster or flyer.
How to create a QR code
- Choose the type: URL, text, email, phone, or Wi-Fi.
- Enter your content and customise the colours and size.
- Pick an error-correction level (higher is more robust for print).
- Download a high-resolution PNG or a scalable SVG.
Tips for reliable scanning
- Keep strong contrast between the code and its background.
- Leave a clear “quiet zone” (margin) around the code.
- Don't print it too small - bigger is easier to scan.
Summary
QR codes turn any piece of text into something scannable in seconds. With a free generator you can create custom, never-expiring codes for print or web in just a few clicks.