How to Generate a QR Code for Free (URLs, Text, Wi-Fi, and More)
Learn how QR codes work, what data you can encode, how to choose the right size for print, and how to generate one in seconds — as PNG or SVG — without signing up.
To generate a QR code right now: paste your URL or text into MyEasyTools QR Code Generator and download it as PNG or SVG. No account, no expiry, no tracking link inserted in the middle.
This guide explains how QR codes actually work and what you can encode beyond just URLs.
How QR codes work
A QR code is a two-dimensional barcode — a pattern of black and white squares that encodes data as a machine-readable image. When a smartphone camera points at the pattern, it decodes the binary data and acts on it: opening a URL, adding a contact to the address book, or connecting to Wi-Fi.
The format was developed by Denso Wave in 1994 for tracking automotive parts. It became general purpose when smartphone cameras grew capable of decoding them in real time, and today most phone cameras recognise QR codes natively without needing a separate app.
One technical detail worth knowing: QR codes have built-in error correction. A code with up to 30% of its surface covered, damaged, or obscured can still decode correctly. This is why you can place a logo in the centre of a QR code and it still scans — the redundant data fills in the obscured portion.
What you can encode
URLs. By far the most common use. Any valid URL works, including very long ones. Longer content requires a denser pattern (more squares), which means the code must be printed larger to remain readable.
Plain text. Useful for messages, product descriptions, or any content the scanner should display as text rather than open as a URL.
Email addresses in mailto: format — scanning opens the phone's email app pre-addressed to that address.
Phone numbers in tel: format — scanning prompts a call to that number.
Wi-Fi credentials in the WIFI: format — scanning auto-connects to the specified network without the user typing a password. The format is WIFI:T:WPA;S:NetworkName;P:Password;;. Most generators handle this automatically when you select the Wi-Fi option.
vCard contact data — encodes a full contact record (name, phone, email, address, organisation) that the phone can import directly to the contacts app.
Step-by-step: generate a QR code with MyEasyTools
Go to QR Code Generator.
Enter your content. Paste a URL, type plain text, or select the appropriate content type for Wi-Fi or contact data. The preview updates in real time.
Customise colours if needed — change foreground and background colours to match a brand palette, as long as there is sufficient contrast for scanning.
Download as PNG or SVG.
- PNG is fine for digital use and print in standard sizes.
- SVG is a vector format that scales to any size without pixelation — always use SVG for print, signage, or anything you'll resize later.
Sizing for print
QR codes need to be large enough that a camera can resolve the individual squares. The minimum practical size for most use cases is approximately 2 cm × 2 cm at a scanning distance of 30–50 cm. Denser codes (from longer URLs) need to be printed larger to remain scannable.
| Use case | Recommended minimum size |
|---|---|
| Business card | 2.5 × 2.5 cm |
| Flyer or A5 leaflet | 3–5 cm |
| A4 poster | 5–8 cm |
| Window signage | 8–15 cm |
Always test-scan your QR code after printing before committing to a large print run. Some older camera apps and devices have lower decoding capability and struggle with very dense codes — this is one more reason to keep URLs short.
Why you should avoid QR code "link shorteners"
Many commercial QR code generators insert a proprietary redirect link between the QR code and your actual URL. When someone scans the code, it first goes to the generator's server, then redirects to your destination. This lets them track scan counts and sell analytics.
The problem: if that company shuts down, raises prices, or ends your subscription, every printed QR code that uses their redirect link stops working. If you have printed 5,000 flyers, they become useless.
MyEasyTools encodes your URL directly — no redirect server, no tracking, no dependency on anything except the URL you entered. A QR code pointing directly to your domain works for as long as your domain works, regardless of what happens to any third-party service.
FAQ
Can I edit a QR code after generating it? No — a QR code is a static image. To change the destination, generate a new code and reprint. If you need the ability to change where a QR code points without reprinting (for menus, posters, or packaging), use a URL shortener that supports redirect editing — the QR code always points to the shortener URL, but you update the redirect target in the shortener's dashboard.
Do QR codes expire? The images generated here do not expire. They are standard PNG or SVG files that you save locally. What can expire is the URL the code encodes: if the destination page goes offline, the scan succeeds but the page is dead. For permanent use, link to URLs on your own domain under your own control.
Can I add a logo in the middle of the QR code? QR codes tolerate up to 30% surface coverage due to error correction, so a centred logo often does not break scanning. TODO: verify whether the current tool supports logo overlays or if this is a planned feature. Always test-scan with a logo overlay before printing.
Generate yours now at QR Code Generator →. If you are encoding Wi-Fi credentials, use Password Generator to create a strong Wi-Fi password before encoding it.