Free online tool

QR code generator

Turn a URL, text, email or Wi-Fi access into a QR code, with your own logo in the centre if you like. We automatically check that the code stays readable. Download as PNG or SVG, entirely in your browser: your input never leaves your device.

Logo in the centre (optional)

A module is one of the small squares. "Version" refers to the standardised symbol size from 1 to 40, not a software version. The more characters the content has, the higher the version and the more room remains for error correction.

What a QR code actually is

A QR code ("quick response") is a two-dimensional barcode that stores information as a pattern of black and white squares. Unlike the classic barcode, it encodes in both directions and thus holds considerably more data, from a short URL to several thousand characters of text. It was developed in Japan in 1994 for logistics in car manufacturing; thanks to the camera in every smartphone, it has long since arrived in everyday life.

The three prominent squares in the corners are orientation marks: through them the scanner detects the code's position and rotation, which is why a QR code can be read from any angle, even upside down. The rest of the area contains the actual data plus check information for error correction.

Error correction: why damaged codes still work

QR codes store data redundantly. Depending on the chosen level, the code stays readable even though part of the area is destroyed, covered or dirty; at "Very high" it tolerates around 30 percent loss. This is exactly what the popular trick of placing a company logo in the centre of the code relies on: the covered area is reconstructed via the redundancy. The price is a denser pattern that becomes harder to scan when printed small.

A QR code with your own logo

A QR code with a logo in the centre feels like part of your brand rather than an anonymous pixel pattern. On business cards, flyers, packaging or trade fair stands it builds recognition and trust. That's exactly why this generator offers the feature out of the box: for illustration, our aceArt spade sits in the centre by default; one click on "Your own image" replaces it with your logo, and "No logo" removes it entirely. You set the size with the slider; the white area behind the logo can be toggled and ensures the artwork doesn't blur into the dark modules.

Error correction is what makes this possible: the covered area is reconstructed from the redundant data. Still, it's a balancing act: if the logo gets too big, the code tips over and can no longer be scanned. Many generators happily deliver a file anyway, and the mistake only becomes apparent on the printed poster.

That's why our tool checks the result itself: as soon as a logo is involved, the finished code is read back in the background with a real QR decoder, exactly as it would be downloaded. You get immediate feedback on whether the code stays readable and, as you move the size slider, instantly see where the limit is. To be safe, error correction is automatically set to the highest level when a logo is added.

Practical tips for print and use

Plan the size around the scanning distance; as a rule of thumb, about a tenth of the distance from which people will scan. Ensure sufficient contrast (a dark code on a light background works most reliably; inverted codes fail with some scanners) and leave the quiet zone at the edge untouched. For print products, SVG is the better choice because it scales losslessly.

And the most important point from practice: test the finished code with several devices before printing — the quickest way is our QR code reader. A code that only fails on the printed poster is an expensive mistake.

Frequently asked questions about QR codes

Do the generated QR codes expire at some point?
No. The code is created directly in your browser and contains your data itself; there’s no redirect service behind it that could be shut down. As long as the destination (say, your URL) is reachable, the code works permanently. Caution is only needed with free “dynamic” QR services: there, the code points to third-party servers that can deactivate the link at any time or put it behind a paywall.
Which error-correction level should I choose?
For screens and clean print, “Medium” (M) is enough; that’s the usual compromise. “High” (H) makes the code more resistant to scratches, folds and dirt and is mandatory if you place a logo in the centre; in return the pattern becomes denser. “Low” (L) produces the coarsest, most easily scannable pattern but forgives hardly any damage.
Can I embed my logo in the QR code?
Yes. The feature is active in the generator right away, with our aceArt spade as the default for illustration. Via “Your own image” you upload your own logo (PNG with a transparent background works best), set the size with the slider and download the code as PNG or SVG; the logo is included in both formats. If you don’t want a logo at all, choose “No logo”. Error correction is automatically set to the highest level, because the logo covers part of the data area.
How big can the logo be at most?
As a rule of thumb, around 20 percent of the code’s width; with the highest error correction, up to about 30 percent is possible. But rather than guessing, you can rely on the built-in check here: as soon as a logo is active, our tool automatically reads the finished code back with a real decoder and reports immediately whether it’s still readable. Simply move the size slider until the confirmation appears. Before a large print run, test with one or two real smartphones as well.
PNG or SVG — which should I take?
For web, presentations and office documents, PNG is the uncomplicated choice. For print (posters, signs, packaging) take SVG: the format scales losslessly, so it stays razor-sharp even on a large-format poster and produces no ragged edges.
How big does a printed QR code need to be?
The rule of thumb is one tenth of the scanning distance: if people are meant to scan from one metre away, you need about 10 × 10 cm. For business cards, 2 cm edge length is the practical minimum. The white margin all around (the “quiet zone”) also matters: many scanners fail without it, which is why this tool generates it automatically.
Is my input stored anywhere?
No. Encoding happens entirely locally in your browser. Nothing is transmitted to a server, nothing is stored. You can safely use the tool even with sensitive content such as Wi-Fi passwords.

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