QR Code Generator — Free, Custom Color PNG
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 browserUtilitiesApplication
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. No tracking pixel, no analytics. 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
Related tools
More free, in-browser tools from the Developer Tools set — every one runs locally, with no sign-up and no upload.
QR ReaderDecode QR codes from an image, pasted screenshot, or live camera — free, no upload.HTML PreviewLive sandboxed HTML editor + preview with device widths — code never leaves your browser.JSON FormatterPretty-print, minify, diff two JSON blobs side-by-side.Code MinifierMinify JS / CSS / HTML. Copy-ready, no dependencies.Base64 EncoderEncode or decode text and files with one click.Color PickerDrop an image, steal its palette. HEX · OKLCH · RGB.