Generate QR codes and barcodes for URLs, text, products, and more.
QR codes went from niche technology to ubiquitous infrastructure during 2020-2021, when contactless menus, check-ins, and payments became standard. Today they're on business cards, product packaging, event tickets, restaurant tables, and billboard ads. This tool generates both QR codes and 1D barcodes, ready to download and use immediately.
QR codes can encode any text, but certain formats trigger automatic actions in phone cameras:
https://example.com — opens in browser automaticallymailto:name@example.com?subject=Hello — opens email apptel:+15551234567 — prompts to callsmsto:+15551234567:Your message here — opens SMS appWIFI:T:WPA;S:NetworkName;P:Password;; — connects to Wi-Fi1D barcodes (Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A) store data in a series of parallel lines. They can hold a limited amount of numeric or alphanumeric data — typically 20-80 characters. They're the standard for retail product identification (UPC codes on packaging) and are read by laser scanners at checkout.
QR codes (2D) store data in a grid of black and white squares. They can hold up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters or 7,089 numeric characters. They're readable by any smartphone camera. Use QR codes for URLs, contact info, and anything requiring more than a short numeric string. Use 1D barcodes for retail products, inventory systems, and anywhere a laser scanner is used.
QR codes have built-in error correction that allows them to be scanned even when partially damaged or obscured. Four levels: L (7% recovery), M (15%), Q (25%), H (30%). Higher error correction makes the code denser (more squares) but more resilient. Use H if you're printing on textured surfaces, adding a logo overlay, or expect physical wear.
For print, the minimum recommended size is 2cm × 2cm (about 0.8 inches). Smaller than this and many phone cameras struggle to focus. For billboard or large-format printing, size up proportionally — a QR code on a billboard needs to be readable from the distance people will be standing.
QR codes and barcodes are generated entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server. The generated images can be downloaded directly.
QR codes can encode URLs, plain text, email addresses (mailto:), phone numbers (tel:), SMS messages, Wi-Fi credentials, vCard contacts, and more. For URLs, keep them short or use a URL shortener to keep the QR code less dense and easier to scan.
Barcodes (1D) store data in horizontal lines and can only hold a small amount of numeric or alphanumeric data — typically used for product SKUs. QR codes (2D) store data in a grid pattern and can hold much more data including URLs and full text. QR codes are also scannable from any angle.
Higher error correction (H = 30%) makes the QR code scannable even if up to 30% of it is damaged or obscured — useful if you are printing on textured surfaces or adding a logo in the center. Lower levels (L = 7%) produce a less dense, easier-to-scan code for clean digital displays.
Common causes: the QR code is too small (minimum ~2cm for print), low contrast between the code and background, too much data making the code too dense, or a damaged/pixelated image. Try increasing the size, ensuring high contrast, or shortening the URL.
This tool generates clean QR codes. To add a logo, download the QR code image and use an image editor to overlay your logo in the center. Use error correction level H (30%) so the code remains scannable even with the logo covering part of it.