A QR code is the fastest way to get someone from a piece of paper, a shop window or a table straight to your website. They just scan it with their phone. The good news: you can make your own QR code in seconds and completely for free. Here is how, so it looks good and, more importantly, always scans.

If you mainly want to know how businesses use QR codes and what scams to watch out for, read QR codes for business: menus, payments and marketing. This article is a pure how-to.

Create a QR code step by step

We built a free QR code generator for exactly this. It runs entirely in your browser, so the text and link you enter are never sent anywhere, and you do not need to register.

  1. Open the QR code generator.
  2. Pick the content type (link, Wi-Fi, contact, text and more).
  3. Fill in the details, for example your website address.
  4. Optionally add a logo and adjust the colors.
  5. Download the code as PNG or SVG and you are done.

The finished code never expires, because the content is encoded directly inside it. It does not depend on any service that could one day be switched off.

Which QR code types you can create

A QR code does not have to lead only to a website. The generator offers several types:

  • Link (URL) to your website, online shop or Google reviews.
  • Wi-Fi, so a scan connects the phone to your network without typing the password. Perfect for a venue or a cabin.
  • Contact card (vCard) that saves the name, phone and e-mail straight into contacts.
  • Text, e-mail, phone, SMS, WhatsApp, location and a calendar event.

QR code with a logo and custom colors

To match the code to your brand you can change the colors, the dot shape and place a logo in the center. With custom colors one rule matters most: a QR code needs enough contrast between the dots and the background. A color that is too light, or a light code on a dark background, may not scan. The generator warns you about low contrast.

Keep the logo a reasonable size. If it is too big it covers so much of the code that scanners fail. That is why the tool caps the logo size at a safe value and keeps clear space around it.

Static versus dynamic QR codes

You may have heard of dynamic QR codes, which go through a redirect and can be repointed later. It sounds handy, but there is a catch: they depend on the service that holds the redirect. When that service shuts down or you stop paying, the code on your poster suddenly stops working.

Our generator makes static QR codes. The content is encoded directly in the code, so they work forever and depend on no one. For most uses (website, Wi-Fi, contact, menu) that is exactly what you want.

Making sure the QR code always scans

A few practical tips, especially for print:

  • Test it on several phones before printing.
  • Leave a white margin (the quiet zone) around it. Without it, scanners struggle to find it.
  • Do not print it too small. A flyer needs about 2 to 3 cm, a billboard needs it much larger.
  • Use SVG for print. It is a vector, so it stays sharp at any size. PNG is fine for the web.
  • Add a call to action, for example “Scan for the menu”. People then know what to do.

Create your QR code

Jump in with our QR code generator. It is free, with no watermark and no sign-up. And if your business needs help with a digital menu, QR payments or your overall presentation, get in touch, we are happy to help.

This article is part of our Business and IT overview.