How to make a QR code
- Choose what the QR code is for: website link, Wi-Fi login, contact card, email, phone or text message.
- Fill in the details. The QR code updates as you type.
- Optionally change the colours, size and error correction under Design and size.
- Scan it with your phone to test, then download PNG for screens or SVG for print.
QR codes that never expire
Many “free” QR generators create dynamic codes: the QR code points to the company’s short link, which redirects to your website. If the free trial ends or the company shuts down, every printed code stops working, and every scan passes through their tracking server.
This generator creates static codes. Your link, Wi-Fi details or contact card are encoded directly in the black and white pattern, so the code works forever and scanning it doesn’t contact us or anyone else.
What you can encode
| Type | What happens when scanned |
|---|---|
| Website link | Opens the page in the phone’s browser |
| Wi-Fi login | Offers to join the network, with no typing of passwords |
| Contact card (vCard) | Offers to save the name, phone, email and company |
| Opens a new email with the address (and subject) filled in | |
| Phone call | Offers to call the number |
| Text message | Opens a text message to the number |
| Plain text | Shows the text |
Printing tips
- Download SVG for print; it stays sharp at any size. Use PNG for screens and documents.
- Print at least 2 × 2 cm (0.8 inch), and bigger if people will scan from a distance. A rough rule is one-tenth of the scanning distance.
- Keep dark code on a light background with good contrast; the tool warns you about risky colours.
- Leave the white border (the “quiet zone”) around the code.
- Choose High error correction if the code may get scratched or you plan to put a small logo on it.
- Always test-scan with a couple of phones before printing hundreds of copies.
Everything is generated in your browser. Your Wi-Fi password and contact details are never sent anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Do these QR codes expire?
No. They are static QR codes: the information is stored in the pattern itself, not behind a short link on someone's server. They work for as long as the printed code is readable. Some other free generators create dynamic codes that stop working when a trial ends.
How do I make a QR code for my Wi-Fi?
Choose Wi-Fi login, enter the network name and password exactly as they are, and pick the security type (usually WPA/WPA2/WPA3). Guests can then scan the code with their phone camera to join.
PNG or SVG?
PNG is best for websites, documents and social media. SVG is a vector file that stays sharp at any size, so it is best for printing on posters, menus and packaging.
Can I track how many people scanned my code?
Not with a static code, and that is also why it is private. Scan tracking needs a dynamic code that redirects through a tracking server.