How to Create a QR Code for Free — URLs, WiFi, Text & More
QR codes have become a universal bridge between physical and digital — on restaurant menus, business cards, product packaging, event posters, and boarding passes. Creating a professional QR code used to require paid software. PDFBro generates QR codes in seconds, completely free, with no signup.
Free Online Tool
QR Code Generator
Generate QR codes for URLs, text, WiFi, and more
How to Create a QR Code in 3 Steps
- 1
Choose your content type
Select what your QR code will encode: URL/website link, plain text, WiFi network credentials, email address, or phone number.
- 2
Enter your data and customize
Type your URL, text, or other content. Optionally customize size, colors (foreground and background), and error correction level.
- 3
Download your QR code
Download as PNG (for digital use and standard print) or SVG (for scalable vector print at any size).
QR Code Types — What Each One Does
URL QR code: Opens a website when scanned. The most common type. Can link to any web page — product page, landing page, YouTube video, Google Maps location.
WiFi QR code: Encodes network name (SSID) and password. Scanning connects the device automatically without typing. Perfect for Airbnbs, cafés, offices, and events.
Text QR code: Encodes plain text. Scanning displays the text in the viewer's QR scanner app. Good for business card information, quotes, or instructions.
Email QR code: Opens a compose window pre-filled with recipient email, subject, and body. Convenient for contact forms on printed materials.
Phone QR code: Encodes a phone number. Scanning opens the dialer ready to call.
Best Practices for Printing QR Codes
Minimum size: QR codes must be at least 2×2 cm (about 0.8 inches) for reliable scanning at arm's length. Larger is always better.
Quiet zone: QR codes require a white border (quiet zone) of at least 4 modules wide around all edges. Don't crop the QR code tightly.
Color contrast: High contrast between the dark modules and light background is essential. Black on white is optimal. Dark-on-dark or light-on-light will fail to scan.
Download SVG for print: Use SVG format from PDFBro for any printed material — it's a vector format that prints sharply at any size.
Test before distributing: Always scan your QR code with multiple devices (iPhone, Android) before printing or distributing.
Error Correction — What It Means
QR codes have built-in error correction that allows them to be scanned even when partially damaged or obscured:
Level L (Low, ~7% correction): Use for digital displays where the code will never be physically damaged. Produces slightly simpler pattern.
Level M (Medium, ~15% correction): Good default for most uses.
Level Q (Quartile, ~25% correction): Better for outdoor signage that may get rained on or lightly vandalized.
Level H (High, ~30% correction): Use when you want to overlay a logo in the center of the QR code. The logo covers part of the data, but high error correction rebuilds it.
Pro Tips
- 1
For business cards, use a URL QR code linking to your LinkedIn, website, or Linktree — easily update the destination URL later without reprinting.
- 2
Use PDFBro's SVG export for business cards and posters — vector scales to any print size without pixelation.
- 3
Add a call-to-action above the QR code ('Scan to connect to WiFi' / 'Scan to visit our menu') — people scan more when they know what the code does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are QR codes from PDFBro free to use commercially?
Yes. QR codes you generate are yours to use freely, including for commercial purposes.
Do QR codes expire?
Standard QR codes (static) never expire. The data is encoded directly in the pattern and works forever. Dynamic QR codes (with redirect services) can expire if the service stops.
What's the best QR code for WiFi sharing?
Use PDFBro's WiFi QR code type. Enter your network SSID, password, and encryption type (WPA/WPA2). Guests scan and connect without typing.
Can I put a logo in the center of my QR code?
Use High (H) error correction level and keep the logo to under 30% of the total QR code area for reliable scanning.
What's the difference between PNG and SVG for QR codes?
PNG is a raster image (pixels) — fine for digital use and small print. SVG is vector — scales to any size without pixelation, essential for large-format printing.