Free QR Code Generator
Generate QR Codes instantly for URLs, WiFi, WhatsApp, vCards, Email, Phone, Payments and 25+ QR types. Customize colors, logos and shapes. Download PNG, SVG, JPG or PDF. 100% Free, Private and Unlimited.
Website URL
Generated on your device. Nothing is uploaded.
QR Code Scanner
Upload a QR code image to decode it instantly.
How It Works
From idea to scannable code in four steps
Choose from 25+ QR categories — a link, WiFi login, vCard, payment address, and more.
Enter the content. The preview updates instantly as you type — no "Generate" button required.
Set colors, dot shapes, eye styles, gradients, and drop in a logo to match your brand.
Export as PNG, SVG, JPG, or PDF in print‑ready resolution. No watermark, no account.
Built Like a Tool, Not a Lead‑gen Funnel
Most "free" QR generators exist to collect your email or lock your code behind a paywall after a week. This one doesn't.
QR generation and decoding both run client‑side. Your data never touches a server.
Every download is a clean file. No branding, no "made with" tag baked into your image.
Generate and download as many codes as you want, no daily caps, no "pro" tier.
PNG for web, SVG for infinite scaling, print‑ready PDF, and JPG.
Dot shapes, eye styles, gradients, logos, frames — not just a color picker.
Drop a QR code straight into CleanPDF's PDF editor in the same session.
Who Actually Needs a QR Code Today
Table‑tent menus, contactless ordering, review‑request codes on receipts.
Business cards with full vCard, storefront WiFi codes, payment QR codes at checkout.
Calendar‑add codes on invitations, check‑in links, Wi‑Fi access for guests.
Print‑to‑digital bridges on flyers, packaging, and posters.
Resume or portfolio QR code on a printed CV or conference badge.
GitHub, portfolio, and social links on stickers and slide decks.
Google Maps directions codes and WiFi codes for tenants.
Donation and crypto wallet QR codes on flyers and fundraiser signage.
Static vs. Dynamic QR Codes
CleanPDF generates static QR codes — the content is embedded directly in the pattern. Here's how that compares to dynamic codes sold by subscription services.
| Static QR code | Dynamic QR code | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free forever | Usually a monthly subscription |
| Where content lives | Encoded directly in the code | On a redirect server you don't control |
| Editable after printing | No — content is fixed | Yes, the destination can be changed |
| Expiration risk | Never expires | Stops working if the subscription lapses |
| Scan analytics | Not built in | Usually included |
| Best for | Business cards, WiFi, vCards, permanent links | Ad campaigns that need click tracking |
Need scan tracking? You can still use a static code that points to a URL you control and add analytics on that page yourself.
Everything You Need to Know About QR Codes
What a QR code actually is
A QR code — short for "Quick Response" code — is a two-dimensional barcode made of black and white (or any color you like) squares arranged in a grid. Where a traditional barcode only stores data along a single line, a QR code stores it across both height and width, which is why it can hold far more information: a full URL, a WiFi password, a vCard's worth of contact details, or a cryptocurrency wallet address, all in a pattern small enough to fit on a coffee cup sleeve. Any modern phone camera can read one in well under a second, no app required.
Underneath the pattern, a QR code encodes plain text. What a scanner does with that text depends on its shape: a string starting with http opens a browser, one starting with WIFI: prompts a network connection, one starting with BEGIN:VCARD offers to save a contact, and so on. This generator handles that formatting automatically.
Why a free QR code generator this thorough is rare
Search for "QR code generator" and most results funnel you toward the same pattern: a simple black-and-white code is free, but the moment you want a color, a logo, or a high-resolution download, you're asked to create an account or start a trial. CleanPDF's generator takes the opposite approach: every code produced here is genuinely static, genuinely yours, and genuinely free, with no email required and no artificial ceiling on downloads.
Step-by-step: creating your first QR code
- Choose a category. Use the sidebar (or the dropdown on mobile) to pick what kind of QR code you need — Website URL, WiFi, Business Card, and 20+ others.
- Fill in the fields. Each category shows only the inputs relevant to it.
- Watch the live preview. The QR pattern regenerates as you type — no "Generate" button required.
- Switch to the Design tab. Adjust foreground and background color, choose a dot style (square, rounded, circular, diamond), pick an eye shape, and optionally add a gradient.
- Add a logo if you want one. Upload an image and the generator will center it, add a safe white border, and automatically raise the error-correction level.
- Download. Choose PNG for general use, SVG for large scaling, JPG for smaller file size, or PDF for print-ready documents.
Choosing the right QR code type
The most common mistake with QR codes isn't a design mistake, it's a content mistake: picking the wrong category for the job. A phone number code (tel:) opens the dialer, which is right for a "call us" sticker but wrong if you actually wanted to open WhatsApp — that needs the WhatsApp category instead. Similarly, a WiFi code only works correctly if the encryption type matches your router's actual setting.
Security and privacy
Every part of this tool — generating a code, styling it, and reading one back with the scanner — executes in your browser using JavaScript. Your input is never transmitted to CleanPDF's servers, logged, or stored anywhere outside the tab you're using.
Troubleshooting: why a QR code won't scan
- Contrast is too low. Cameras rely on a clear light/dark distinction.
- The logo is too large. A logo covering more than 25–30% of the code's area can destroy enough data that even High error correction can't recover it.
- The code is printed too small. Dense content needs more physical size to stay scannable.
- Quiet zone is missing. QR codes need a clear margin of blank space around them.
- Wrong content type for the intended action. Double-check you picked the right category.
Best practices for printed and digital QR codes
- Keep at least a 4-module quiet zone (blank border) around the code.
- Use Medium or High error correction when adding a logo or printing on textured material.
- Test every code with at least two different phone cameras before mass-printing.
- Export SVG for anything that will be resized — it scales without pixelation.
- Add a short call-to-action next to the code ("Scan to view menu," "Scan for WiFi").
Industry‑specific examples
A café prints a Menu QR code on table tents linking to a mobile‑friendly page, eliminating reprint costs. A property manager places a WiFi QR code inside each rental unit so guests connect in one tap. A conference speaker adds a Portfolio QR code to their final slide. A retailer adds a Product Page QR code to packaging. In each case, the QR code moves information from a physical surface into a phone with zero typing.
How this fits into the rest of CleanPDF
Because this generator lives inside CleanPDF.net, a QR code you build here can go straight into a document using the site's PDF editor or eSign tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this QR code generator really free?
Yes. Every feature – custom colours, gradients, dot & eye shapes, logo upload, and all download formats – is free, with no account, no trial, and no hidden paywall. Unlimited codes, no watermarks.
Do I need to create an account?
No. The tool works the moment the page loads; no registration or login is ever required.
Do my QR codes expire?
No. The codes generated here are static – the content is embedded directly into the pattern. They will never expire or require a subscription to keep working.
Is there a watermark on the downloaded QR code?
No. Every PNG, JPG, SVG, and PDF export is clean – no branding, no "made with" tag.
Is my data uploaded to a server?
No. All QR generation happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your URLs, WiFi passwords, contact details – nothing leaves your device.
What’s the difference between a static and a dynamic QR code?
A static QR code has its content encoded permanently in the pattern; it never expires and needs no service to keep working. A dynamic QR code points to a redirect URL controlled by a third party – it stops working if you stop paying. This generator makes static codes only.
Can I edit a QR code after I’ve downloaded it?
Not directly – because the content is baked into the pattern, changing the destination means generating a new code. If you need flexibility, point the QR code to a URL you control and update that page instead.
What image formats can I download?
PNG (solid or transparent background), JPG, SVG (infinitely scalable vector), and print-ready PDF. SVG is recommended for large-format printing.
Can I make a transparent QR code?
Yes. Toggle “Transparent background” in the Design tab and download as PNG or SVG – JPG does not support transparency.
How do I add a logo to my QR code?
Open the Design tab, upload an image, and use the size slider to control how much of the code it covers. The tool automatically raises error correction so the code still scans reliably.
Why does adding a logo need higher error correction?
QR codes include built‑in redundancy to recover from damage or obstruction. A logo covers part of the pattern, so using a higher error correction (Q or H) gives scanners enough backup data to decode correctly.
What does the error correction level (L/M/Q/H) control?
It sets how much redundant data is stored: L ≈ 7% recovery, M ≈ 15%, Q ≈ 25%, H ≈ 30%. Higher levels make the code slightly denser but much more resistant to damage, dirt, or a logo overlay.
What size should I make my QR code for printing?
Aim for at least 2 × 2 cm (0.8 × 0.8 inches) for close scanning. For signage, use roughly 1 inch of size for every 10 feet of scanning distance. Dense codes (long URLs, vCards) need extra size.
Why won’t my QR code scan?
Common reasons: low contrast between foreground & background colours, logo too large, printed too small, missing quiet zone (margin), or low‑quality print. Always test with multiple phones before mass‑printing.
Can I use my own colours and still have it scan reliably?
Yes, as long as there is strong light/dark contrast. Very pale colours on light backgrounds, or two similarly‑toned colours, can prevent cameras from locking onto the pattern.
Can I generate a QR code for a WiFi network?
Yes. Choose the WiFi category, enter the network name (SSID), password, and encryption type. Scanning the code lets most phones connect automatically – no typing required.
Why does my WiFi QR code fail to connect?
Almost always this means the encryption type you selected (WPA/WPA2, WEP, open) doesn't match your router’s actual setting. Double‑check and regenerate with the correct option.
Can I create a QR code for a WhatsApp chat?
Yes. Select WhatsApp, enter the phone number with country code, and optionally a pre‑filled message. Scanning opens a WhatsApp chat directly with that number.
What’s the difference between the SMS and WhatsApp categories?
SMS opens the phone’s native text‑messaging app; WhatsApp specifically opens the WhatsApp app. SMS works on all phones; WhatsApp requires the app to be installed.
Can I put my contact information in a QR code?
Yes, use the Business Card category. It builds a standard vCard (name, company, phone, email, address) that most phone cameras recognise with an “Add to Contacts” prompt.
Should I add a photo to my business card QR code?
You can, but keep it small – embedding a photo significantly increases data size, making the code denser and harder to scan at small sizes. It’s optional and best for digital use.
Can I create a QR code that adds an event to someone’s calendar?
Yes. Use the Calendar Event category, fill in title, location, start/end times, and description. The generator builds a standard event format that most calendar apps understand.
Can I make a QR code for a cryptocurrency wallet address?
Yes, the Payment category supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, generic wallet addresses, PayPal.me links, and UPI IDs.
Does the payment QR code actually process a transaction?
No – it only encodes the destination address (and optional amount) in the standard URI format. The actual payment happens inside the user’s wallet or app after scanning.
Can I generate a QR code for a Google Maps location?
Yes. Enter coordinates, paste an existing Google Maps link, or type a location name. The tool builds a link that opens in Google Maps or the device’s default maps app.
What’s the difference between the Google Maps and Location categories?
Google Maps generates a clickable google.com/maps link, which works universally. Location creates a raw “geo:” URI, which depends on the device having a default maps app configured.
Can I create a QR code for my social media profile?
Yes, the Social Media category supports Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Threads, TikTok, Pinterest, Snapchat, Telegram, Discord, YouTube, Spotify, GitHub, Behance, and Dribbble – just select the platform and paste your profile URL.
Can I put a resume or portfolio online and link it with a QR code?
Yes, use the Resume or Portfolio categories. Link to a hosted PDF or webpage version of your CV – ideal for printed resumes, business cards, or conference badges.
Can I create a coupon or discount QR code?
Yes, the Coupon category encodes a link to a coupon landing page that you design and host separately – the QR code simply directs people there from flyers, receipts, or packaging.
Is the QR code scanner on this page also private?
Yes. Uploaded images are decoded locally in your browser. Camera scans process video frames on your device – nothing is uploaded.
Do I need to install an app to scan a QR code with my phone?
No. Every modern iPhone and most Android phones scan QR codes directly from the built‑in camera app – just point and tap the notification.
Can I print the QR code directly from this page?
Yes. Click “Print” in the preview panel to open a print‑ready view of just the QR image, ready for any standard printer dialog.
What happens to a QR code if the destination website goes offline?
The QR code itself still works – it faithfully directs scanners to a URL that no longer resolves. Because the content is static, you cannot redirect an existing printed code; you would need to reprint with a new URL.
Can I use this generator for commercial or business use?
Yes. There are no licensing restrictions – use your QR codes on products, marketing materials, menus, packaging, or anywhere your business needs them.
Does a QR code work in black and white only, or can it be any colour?
QR codes work in any colour combination as long as there is enough contrast between foreground (dark) and background (light). This tool lets you fully customise both.
Why is my downloaded QR code blurry when I resize it?
PNG and JPG are pixel‑based formats – enlarging them causes pixelation. Download as SVG instead; it’s vector‑based and stays sharp at any size, ideal for billboards or large prints.
Can this tool generate a QR code linking to a PDF, Word, or Excel file?
Yes, use the File Link category, select the file type, and paste the direct URL to your hosted file. The QR code simply opens that link when scanned.