How to Create a QR Code for Free

What is a QR code

A QR code is a type of two-dimensional barcode that encodes information in a pattern of black and white squares. When someone points a smartphone camera at it, the phone reads the pattern and takes an action, typically opening a URL in the browser. Most modern smartphones can read QR codes without installing any additional app.

QR stands for Quick Response. The format was originally developed for manufacturing but became widely used in consumer contexts because of how fast and reliable it is. Scanning a QR code takes about one second and requires no typing, no searching, and no memorising anything.

What can a QR code contain

A QR code can encode several types of information. The most common use is a URL, which opens a website when scanned. But QR codes can also contain plain text, email addresses, phone numbers, Wi-Fi network credentials, and geographic coordinates. The type of content determines what happens when the code is scanned.

For most practical purposes, linking to a URL is the most useful option. You can point the QR code at any page, whether that is a product page, a booking form, a video, a PDF, or a contact page.

How to create a QR code for free

Creating a QR code with Ekly takes about ten seconds and does not require an account. Here is the process.

Step 1: Open the QR code generator

Go to ekly.app/qr-code-generator. The tool loads immediately in your browser with no sign-up required.

Step 2: Enter your content

Type or paste the URL or text you want to encode. As you type, the QR code preview updates in real time so you can see exactly what will be generated before you download anything.

Step 3: Customise the appearance (optional)

Ekly lets you adjust the colours of the QR code if you want it to match a brand or design. You can change the foreground and background colours. Make sure there is enough contrast between the two colours for scanners to read the code reliably. Dark foreground on a light background always works. Very light or low-contrast combinations can cause scanning failures.

Step 4: Download your QR code

Click the download button to save your QR code. You can choose between PNG and SVG formats. PNG works for most purposes including web use, documents, and presentations. SVG is a vector format that scales to any size without losing quality, which makes it the better choice for print materials like posters, banners, and business cards.

PNG versus SVG: which format to use

PNG is a raster format, which means it is made up of pixels. It looks sharp at the size it was generated at, but if you scale it up significantly it will appear blurry. For web use and screen display, PNG is fine. Download at the largest available size if you are unsure.

SVG is a vector format, which means it is defined mathematically and can be scaled to any size without any loss of quality. If you are printing a QR code on a large format material, SVG is the correct choice. Most professional design tools including Adobe Illustrator, Figma, and Canva accept SVG files.

A practical rule: if the QR code will only appear on a screen or in a small printed area, PNG is fine. If it will be printed larger than about five centimetres on a side, use SVG.

How big does a QR code need to be

For printed materials, a QR code should be at least two centimetres by two centimetres to be reliably scannable from a normal distance. For something like a poster or banner that people will scan from further away, make it proportionally larger. A common guideline is that the minimum size of the QR code should be one tenth of the scanning distance. If people will be scanning from one metre away, the code should be at least ten centimetres on each side.

For digital use there is no minimum size in the same sense, but the code should be large enough that the camera can focus on it comfortably. Avoid making it so small that individual modules become difficult to distinguish.

Common mistakes that make QR codes unscannable

Too much content encoded

The more information a QR code contains, the denser and more complex the pattern becomes. Very long URLs with many parameters create codes with hundreds of tiny modules that are harder to scan, especially on lower quality prints. Using a short link instead of a full URL solves this. A short link from Ekly's URL shortener reduces the encoded content significantly, which results in a simpler code that scans faster and more reliably.

Low contrast colours

Scanners work by detecting the difference between light and dark areas. If the foreground and background colours are too similar in brightness, the scanner cannot distinguish between the modules. Stick to high contrast combinations. If you use a coloured background, test the QR code with multiple devices before printing.

Printing on a reflective surface

Glossy paper and some plastic materials can create glare that confuses QR scanners. If you are printing on a glossy surface, test the code in different lighting conditions before committing to a large print run.

Adding a logo that obscures too much

QR codes have built-in error correction that allows them to remain scannable even if part of the code is obscured or damaged. However, if a logo or design element covers more than about thirty percent of the code area, scanning reliability drops significantly. Keep any overlay small and centred.

Where people use QR codes

Restaurant menus are one of the most common uses. A QR code on the table links to the digital menu, which is easier to update than printing new menus every time something changes.

Business cards often include a QR code that links to a contact page, portfolio, or LinkedIn profile. It is faster than typing out a URL and more reliable than hoping someone will remember the address.

Event organisers use QR codes on tickets, lanyards, and signage to direct attendees to schedules, maps, registration pages, and session materials.

Retail packaging uses QR codes to link to product pages, instruction manuals, warranty registration, and support resources without using up label space with long text.

Marketing materials including flyers, posters, and direct mail use QR codes to bridge the gap between print and digital, letting people go directly to a landing page without typing anything.

Tracking who scans your QR code

A basic QR code that encodes a URL directly does not provide any scan tracking. The code simply opens the URL when scanned, and there is no way to know how many times it was scanned or where those scans came from.

To track scans, point your QR code at a short link created with Ekly instead of the raw destination URL. Every time someone scans the code and the short link is opened, Ekly records the event. You can see total clicks, country data, device type, and referrer information in your account dashboard. This turns any QR code into a trackable asset without any additional setup.

Get started

Creating a QR code is free and takes about ten seconds. Go to ekly.app/qr-code-generator, enter your URL or text, and download your code in PNG or SVG format. No account is required.

If you want to track how many people scan your code, create a free short link first, then use that as the content of your QR code. Sign up for a free Ekly account to see your click and scan data in real time.