What You Can Put in a QR Code
A QR (Quick Response) code is a two-dimensional barcode that phone cameras read in a fraction of a second. The generator builds the standard formats that iOS and Android cameras recognize automatically:
- Link / URL: opens a website, menu, review page, video or app download link.
- Plain text: shows a short note or instructions on screen; no internet connection is needed to read it.
- Wi-Fi network: stores the network name, password and security type so guests can join by scanning instead of typing.
- Email: opens a new message to your address with the subject already filled in.
- Phone number: offers to call the number with one tap.
Tips for Codes That Scan Reliably
Keep a dark pattern on a light background; inverted or low-contrast colors fail on many phones. Leave a blank margin around the code, and print it at least 2 × 2 cm (about 0.8 × 0.8 in). A good rule of thumb is that the code should be about one tenth of the scanning distance wide, so a poster read from 2 m (6.5 ft) away needs a code around 20 cm (8 in) across. Codes are generated with the highest error correction level (H), which lets them scan even if up to about 30% of the pattern is damaged or covered.
Example
For a café Wi-Fi sign, choose Wi-Fi Network, enter the network name and password, keep the security on WPA and generate. The code contains a string like WIFI:T:WPA;S:CafeGuest;P:coffee2026;H:false;;, which phones turn into a "Join network" prompt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these QR codes expire?
No. These are static QR codes: the content is stored in the pattern itself, so the code keeps working forever. A link code only stops working if the web page it points to is taken down.
Is my information sent to a server?
No. The code is drawn in your browser, and the URL, text or Wi-Fi password you enter is not uploaded or stored by us.
Can I change the colors of a QR code?
Yes, you can pick both the foreground and background colors. Keep the pattern noticeably darker than the background, because many scanners cannot read light-on-dark or low-contrast codes.
What size should I print a QR code?
At least 2 × 2 cm (about 0.8 in) for something held in the hand, such as a business card. For signs and posters, make the code about one tenth as wide as the distance people will scan it from. Download the Large size if you plan to print it big.