QR Code Generator

QR Code Generator

QR Codes: Those Square Barcodes Are Everywhere Now

A QR code (Quick Response Code) is that square-shaped pattern you scan with your phone camera. Point, scan, and you're instantly taken to a website, shown some text, or connected to a Wi-Fi network. They were invented in 1994 for tracking car parts, and now they're on everything from restaurant menus to business cards.

What Can You Actually Put in a QR Code?

More than you'd think. URLs are the obvious one, but QR codes also handle plain text, phone numbers, Wi-Fi passwords (so guests can connect without asking), email addresses, and even GPS coordinates. The max capacity is around 3,000 characters of text, which covers most use cases.

Static vs. Dynamic QR Codes: What's the Difference?

Static QR codes are locked in once you create them -- the data is baked right into the pattern. Dynamic QR codes point to a short URL that you can update later without reprinting anything. That's a huge deal for businesses. Beyond basic links, people use QR codes for digital business cards (vCard), auto-connecting to Wi-Fi, app download prompts, and payment systems. You've probably scanned one at a restaurant recently to pull up the menu.

Making QR Codes That Actually Work Every Time

Size matters -- keep it at least 2cm x 2cm, and as a rule of thumb, make it one-tenth the distance someone will scan from. So if people are scanning from a meter away, your code should be at least 10cm. Error correction is your safety net: level L recovers 7% of data, M handles 15%, Q gets 25%, and H goes up to 30%. Want to put a logo in the middle? Use level H so the code still scans even with part of it covered. High contrast (dark on light) and a quiet zone of white space around the edges are non-negotiable for reliable scanning.

QR Code Scams Are Real -- How to Stay Safe

QR codes are convenient, but scammers have caught on. There's even a name for it: "quishing" -- QR code phishing. Someone sticks a fake QR code over a legitimate one in a public place, and it sends you to a malicious site. Before scanning any QR code, check that it hasn't been physically tampered with (stickers over stickers are a red flag). After scanning, look at the URL before clicking through. If you're creating QR codes for your business, always use HTTPS links and check periodically that they still point where they should.