Turn any URL or block of text into a QR code. Choose a size from 128px to 1024px, an error-correction level, and custom foreground/background colors, then download a crisp PNG. No sign-up, no tracking pixel in your QR codes.
FreeNo sign-upRuns in your browser
Error correction levels: the real trade-off
Every QR code embeds Reed-Solomon error-correction data so it still scans with part of the code missing or damaged — a print smudge, a logo overlaid in the middle, a crease. Higher correction survives more damage, but spends more of the code's capacity on redundancy, so the same content produces a visually denser (harder to scan at small sizes) code.
| Level | Data it can recover | Trade-off | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| L (Low) | up to ~7% damaged/missing | Lowest density, easiest to scan small | Digital-only QR (screen to screen), short URLs |
| M (Medium) | up to ~15% | Default balance | Most general-purpose uses — the tool's default |
| Q (Quartile) | up to ~25% | Denser code, more print-forgiving | Printed materials handled or exposed to wear |
| H (High) | up to ~30% | Densest, smallest scan-safe print size | QR with a logo overlaid in the center, industrial/outdoor labels |
- A QR with a logo in the middle only works because High correction can reconstruct the data the logo covers — using Low correction with an overlay usually breaks the scan entirely.
- Version (size) and error-correction level together determine capacity: a URL of ~50 characters at level M fits in a small, easy-to-scan Version 3–4 code, while a full vCard at level H needs a noticeably larger grid.
How to create a QR code from a URL or text
- Enter your text or URL. Type or paste the URL or text you want to encode. The QR preview updates live as you type.
- Pick a size. Choose 128px, 256px, 512px, or 1024px depending on where the QR code will be used — smaller for screens, larger for print.
- Set error correction and colors. Pick Low/Medium/Quartile/High error correction, then customize the foreground and background colors with the color pickers or hex inputs.
- Download the PNG. Click Download PNG to save the QR code at your chosen size, or use the copy button to copy the encoded text.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are QR codes uploaded or tracked?
- No. The QR code is generated in your browser. The QR code itself contains no tracking pixel, and the page's anonymous usage analytics never include the text or URL you encode. The URL you encode goes directly to the scanner without our involvement.
- What is the maximum capacity?
- A single QR can hold up to ~4,296 alphanumeric characters or ~2,953 bytes. For URLs, use a URL shortener if you exceed this.
- Will the QR work after I print it?
- Yes. Choose 512px or 1024px for print and use Quartile or High error correction so the code stays scannable at smaller sizes or with minor damage.
- What is error correction?
- Higher levels allow the QR to be scanned even when partially damaged (smudged, partially covered). Higher correction = denser code.
- Can I customize colors?
- Yes, foreground and background colors. Keep contrast high — light background + dark foreground works best.
- Can I change the QR code size after generating it?
- Yes. Switch between 128, 256, 512, and 1024px at any time — the preview and download update instantly.
Use Cases
- Generate a URL QR for restaurant menus, flyers, or event check-ins
- Link your portfolio or GitHub profile from a printed resume or business card
- Create a high-contrast, high-error-correction QR for small print like product labels
- Encode plain text instructions for kiosks, museum placards, or installations
- Match a QR code's colors to your brand palette for marketing materials