How to Create a QR Code for Free (Links, WiFi & More)
From website links to WiFi passwords — make scannable QR codes in seconds.
October 7, 2026 · 4 min read
QR codes are everywhere — restaurant menus, event tickets, product packaging, WiFi login cards. A QR code is just a machine-readable way to store a short piece of text, most often a web link. Anyone with a phone camera can scan one in a second, no app needed. Here's how to make your own, free.
What you can put in a QR code
- Website URL — the classic use: link to your site, portfolio, or a product page.
- WiFi credentials — guests scan and join your network without typing a long password.
- Plain text — a short message, coupon code, or instructions.
- vCard contact — your name, phone, and email, saved straight to the scanner's contacts.
Create a QR code in 4 steps
- Open the QR Code Generator — free, no signup, works entirely in your browser.
- Pick the code type (URL, Text, WiFi, or vCard) and fill in the details — e.g. your website address or network name and password.
- Customize the look — adjust the size and colors if you like (keep dark-on-light for reliability).
- Generate and download the PNG. Print it, share it, or drop it into your design.
5 tips for QR codes that always scan
- Keep high contrast. Dark codes on light backgrounds scan best; fancy inverted colors often fail.
- Size it for the distance. A code scanned from across a room needs to be much bigger than one on a business card — when in doubt, go bigger.
- Leave a quiet zone. Keep some white space around the code; don't crowd it with text or borders.
- Test before you print 1,000 flyers. Scan it yourself with two different phones first.
- Shorter data = denser, easier codes. Use short URLs where possible — less data means bigger, more forgiving modules.
Frequently asked questions
Do free QR codes expire?
Static QR codes (like the ones our generator makes) never expire — the data is encoded directly in the pattern, so there's no server or subscription involved. They work forever.
Can I make a QR code for my WiFi?
Yes — choose the WiFi type, enter your network name (SSID), password, and security type. Guests scan it and join instantly.
How much data can a QR code hold?
Up to a few thousand characters, but shorter is better: long payloads create dense codes that are harder to scan, especially when printed small.
Are QR codes safe to scan?
As safe as clicking a link — a code can point anywhere, so only scan codes from sources you trust.
Related tools: QR Code Generator · Password Generator