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qr-generator

A QR code is a two-dimensional barcode that encodes text in a square grid of black and white modules, readable by any smartphone camera. The ZTools QR Code Generator produces standards-compliant QR codes (ISO/IEC 18004) for URLs, Wi-Fi credentials, vCards, SMS, email, and plain text — with adjustable size (up to 4096×4096 px), four error-correction levels (L/M/Q/H), and customizable foreground and background colors. Output is offered as both PNG (for raster use) and SVG (for infinite-scale print). The whole encoding runs in your browser via a battle-tested QR library; nothing about the encoded payload is ever transmitted.

Use cases​

Sharing a Wi-Fi password without typing​

Pick the Wi-Fi template, fill in SSID + password + WPA2/WPA3, and download the QR. Print it and stick it on the fridge — guests scan it with their phone camera and get connected automatically (Android and iOS both support the wifi: URI scheme natively). Saves you reading "uppercase B, lowercase nine, dash..." for every visitor.

Adding a contact card to a business card​

The vCard template generates a QR encoding name, phone, email, company, and website. Print it on the back of your business card. Recipients scan and get a one-tap "Add to contacts" prompt — no manual typing, no typos, no lost cards.

Restaurant menus, museum exhibits, event flyers​

A QR pointing to a long URL is far more usable than asking visitors to type museum.example.com/exhibit/42?lang=en&utm=qr. Generate at high error-correction (Q or H) so the code still scans even if 25–30% is occluded — important for printed materials that get scuffed.

Generate a QR code for a payment URL and print it at the point of sale. Customers scan, the payment app opens with the amount pre-filled, and they confirm with biometrics. Use error-correction H so the code keeps working even if a logo is overlaid in the center.

How it works​

  1. Pick a content type — URL, Plain text, Wi-Fi, vCard, SMS, Email, or Geo coordinate. Each type formats the input into the standard URI scheme that scanners recognize.
  2. Choose error-correction level — L (~7% recovery), M (~15%), Q (~25%), H (~30%). Higher levels mean more dense QR but better damage tolerance. Use H for printed/outdoor codes.
  3. Adjust size and colors — Size 100–4096 px. Foreground and background colors with WCAG contrast warnings — low contrast (e.g. light gray on white) makes the code unscannable.
  4. Click Generate — The QR library encodes the payload into a 2D bit matrix using Reed-Solomon error correction, then renders as PNG (canvas) and SVG (vector) simultaneously.
  5. Download or copy — PNG for emails, slides, and screen use. SVG for print, signage, and any context where scaling matters. Both work with every QR scanner ever made.

Examples​

Input: https://ztools.zaions.com

Output: 512×512 PNG QR code, error correction M, ~21×21 module grid

Input: WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyNetwork;P:s3cretP@ss;;

Output: Wi-Fi QR code that auto-connects on scan

Frequently asked questions​

How much data fits in a QR code?

Up to ~4,296 alphanumeric characters or 2,953 bytes at the largest size (Version 40, error correction L). Practically, keep URLs under ~300 characters or the QR becomes too dense to scan reliably with phone cameras.

Why does my QR code look more complex than other ones?

Density is determined by content length and error-correction level. A 30-character URL at level L produces a sparse code; a 200-character URL at level H produces a much denser one. For shorter codes, use a URL shortener first.

Can I add a logo to the center?

You can overlay a logo on any QR code as long as you use error correction H — the Reed-Solomon recovery handles up to ~30% obstruction. With levels L or M, an overlaid logo will likely break the code.

Do QR codes expire?

No, the QR itself never expires — it is a static image. But if it encodes a URL and you delete that URL, the QR becomes useless. For dynamic QR (where the destination can change), you need a redirect service; ours generates static codes only.

Is the QR code stored anywhere?

No. The QR is generated by JavaScript in your browser and rendered to a <canvas> element. The encoded payload (URL, password, contact info) never leaves your device — important for Wi-Fi passwords and vCards.

PNG or SVG — which should I download?

PNG for digital use (email, slides, web). SVG for print (business cards, posters, packaging) because it scales without pixelation. Most printers accept SVG directly; if not, open the SVG in any vector editor and export at high DPI.

Tips​

  • Always test-scan your QR with at least two different phones before printing. Some camera apps are pickier than others.
  • For outdoor or worn signage, use error correction H and minimum 3 cm × 3 cm physical size.
  • Keep QR foreground darker than background — inverted (light on dark) codes work in theory but fail with many older scanners.
  • For long URLs, use a shortener first. A 1,000-char URL produces an unscannable forest of pixels.

Try it now​

The full qr-generator runs in your browser at https://ztools.zaions.com/qr-generator — no signup, no upload, no data leaves your device.

Open the tool ↗

Last updated: 2026-05-05 · Author: Ahsan Mahmood · Edit this page on GitHub