Tool 001 / dev / free / runs locally
QR Code Generator
Turn any link or text into a scannable QR code. Everything runs in your browser, so the value you type never leaves your device. Download the result as a PNG when you're happy with it.
How it works
This QR code generator turns any text or URL you type into a scannable QR code as a PNG you can download. The encoding happens with a JavaScript library running inside your browser tab, drawing the code onto an HTML canvas element. Nothing you type is sent to a server, which is why even a private internal URL or a Wi-Fi string is safe to encode here.
Under the hood the code uses error correction level M (medium), which means roughly 15 percent of the code can be damaged or obscured and the data still reads back correctly. That is why a small logo placed over the centre of many QR codes does not break them. The size slider (128 to 640 pixels) only changes how many pixels each module is rendered at, not how much data the code holds, so a longer URL produces a denser grid at the same pixel size.
QR stands for Quick Response, and the format stores data in a square matrix of black and white modules. Short content like a URL fits in a low-version (small) grid; long content forces a higher version with more rows and columns. If you encode a very long string the modules become tiny, so for long links a URL shortener first will give you a cleaner, easier-to-scan code.
How to use it
- Type or paste the text or URL you want to encode into the input box.
- Drag the size slider to set the output resolution between 128 and 640 pixels.
- Check the live preview on the right updates to a valid-looking square code.
- Click Download PNG to save the image, then test it by scanning with a phone camera.
Worked examples
Input: https://toolsnimbus.com
Output: A compact QR code; pointing a phone camera at it opens toolsnimbus.com.
Short URLs produce a low-density grid that scans from a distance.
Input: WIFI:T:WPA;S:HomeNetwork;P:hunter2;;
Output: A QR code that, when scanned on most phones, offers to join the HomeNetwork Wi-Fi.
The WIFI: prefix is a standard format phones recognise.
Edge cases and limits
- Error correction is fixed at level M. Codes that will be printed small or placed on curved or shiny surfaces benefit from a higher level, which this tool does not currently expose.
- Very long inputs (several hundred characters) push the code to a high version with tiny modules that cheap scanners may miss. Shorten the content or print larger.
- The exported PNG uses pure black on white with a quiet-zone margin of 2 modules. If you recolour it later, keep strong contrast or scanners will fail.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting the https:// (or http://) prefix on a link. Without a scheme some scanners treat the value as plain text instead of opening it.
- Printing the code too small for the amount of data it holds. Always scan a test print before mass-producing.
- Adding a large logo over a code generated at level M. Medium correction tolerates a small overlay, not a large one.
Frequently asked questions
Are these QR codes free to use commercially?+
Yes. QR Code is an open standard and the codes generated here have no licensing restrictions. Use them on business cards, posters, packaging, or anywhere else.
Do QR codes expire?+
Static QR codes like the ones generated here never expire. They encode your text directly, so they keep working as long as the destination (e.g. a URL) is still valid.
What is the best size to print a QR code?+
A good rule of thumb is 10:1. If scanners will be 1 meter away, print the code at roughly 10 cm wide. Higher contrast and a quiet border around the code help scan reliability.
Do QR codes generated here expire?+
No. The code is a static image that encodes exactly what you typed. It works forever as long as the destination (for a URL) still exists. There is no tracking redirect and no account behind it.
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