QR Code Generator
Generate QR codes for URLs, text, WiFi, email, and more — instantly in your browser.
Medium — good balance of size and reliability (recommended)
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Enter content to generate a QR code
All QR codes are generated entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No data is sent to any server — your URLs, WiFi passwords, and personal details stay on your device.
What Are QR Codes?
QR codes (Quick Response codes) are two-dimensional matrix barcodes invented by Denso Wave, a Toyota subsidiary, in 1994. Originally designed for tracking automotive parts during manufacturing, QR codes have since become one of the most widely used data-encoding technologies in the world — appearing on product packaging, restaurant menus, business cards, advertising billboards, and payment terminals.
Unlike traditional one-dimensional barcodes that store data only horizontally, QR codes store information both horizontally and vertically, allowing them to encode significantly more data in a compact square pattern. The distinctive three square "finder patterns" in the corners allow scanners to detect and orient the code regardless of angle.
A QR code is composed of black and white modules (pixels) arranged on a grid. The data is encoded in these modules using a combination of byte-mode encoding, Reed-Solomon error correction, and masking patterns that prevent the QR code from having large uniform regions that confuse scanners. Depending on the version (size) and error correction level, a single QR code can hold anywhere from a few dozen to several thousand characters of text.
QR code versions range from Version 1 (21x21 modules) to Version 40 (177x177 modules). Version 1 can store up to 41 alphanumeric characters, while Version 40 can store up to 4,296 alphanumeric or 2,953 byte-mode characters with the lowest error correction level. This tool supports Versions 1 through 10, covering up to 271 characters — sufficient for all common use cases including long URLs, WiFi credentials, and contact information.
QR Code Error Correction Levels
QR codes use Reed-Solomon error correction, a mathematical algorithm that allows damaged or partially obscured codes to still be read correctly. There are four error correction levels, each trading off storage capacity against resilience to damage.
| Level | Recovery Capacity | Best For | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| L | 7% | Clean environments, maximum data density | Smallest QR code size, least tolerant of damage |
| M | 15% | Most general use cases — recommended default | Good balance of size and reliability |
| Q | 25% | Industrial labels, outdoor signage | Larger QR code, handles moderate damage |
| H | 30% | Branded QR codes with logo overlays | Largest QR code, maximum damage tolerance |
If you plan to place a logo or image over the centre of your QR code, use H level — the 30% recovery capacity means the scanner can reconstruct the obscured modules. For most web URLs and WiFi credentials, M is the ideal choice.
Common QR Code Uses
QR codes have become a universal bridge between the physical and digital worlds. Here are the most common applications:
Website URLs
The most common use — encode any URL so users can scan and visit without typing. Perfect for print materials, business cards, and outdoor advertising. Generate QR codes for your NetOz-hosted website in seconds.
WiFi Sharing
Encode your guest WiFi credentials so visitors can connect without asking for the password. Simply point the phone camera at the code — no typing required. Ideal for offices, cafes, and reception areas.
Contact Information
Encode vCard contact details in a QR code on business cards, letting recipients instantly add your contact to their phone. Alternatively, encode a link to your LinkedIn or company page.
Email & SMS
Pre-fill email addresses, subjects, and bodies or SMS numbers and messages. Useful for support contact QR codes on invoices, receipts, and product packaging — one scan opens a ready-to-send message.
Payment Systems
PayID, PayPal, and cryptocurrency wallets all use QR codes to encode payment addresses. Scanning removes the risk of mistyping a long account number or wallet address.
Two-Factor Authentication
Authenticator apps like Google Authenticator and Authy use QR codes to set up TOTP (time-based one-time password) secrets. The QR code encodes the secret key and account details in a single scan.
For Australian businesses, generate QR codes for your website URLs hosted on NetOz infrastructure, WiFi guest network credentials for your office or datacenter, or contact details for staff business cards — all without sending any data to a third-party server.