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Custom colors & styles
Any foreground and background color, transparent PNGs and square, rounded or dot modules to match your brand.
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Private by design
Codes are generated in your browser. Your links, passwords and contact details never leave your device.
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Static & permanent
No redirects, no expiry, no subscription. The code you download today scans the same in ten years.
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Print-ready output
Sharp PNG up to 1000px free (4000px Pro), plus true vector SVG for banners, packaging and signage.
What is a QR code and how does it work?
A QR (Quick Response) code is a two-dimensional barcode that stores text as a grid of dark and light squares called modules. The three large squares in the corners are finder patterns that tell a camera where the code is and how it is rotated; the alternating lines between them are timing patterns that help measure the grid. Everything else is data and error-correction information. A standard QR code can hold up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters, although in practice shorter content produces a less dense pattern that scans faster and prints smaller.
Error correction explained
QR codes include redundant Reed-Solomon data so that a scanner can rebuild the message even when part of the code is dirty, torn or covered. There are four levels: L recovers about 7% of damaged modules, M 15%, Q 25% and H 30%. Higher levels make the code denser, so M is the sensible default for most uses. When you place a logo in the center you are deliberately covering modules, which is why QRForge switches to level H automatically whenever a logo is enabled.
What people use QR codes for
- Restaurant menus – a URL code on each table opens the menu without an app; update the page, not the code.
- Business cards – a vCard code saves your name, phone, email and company to the contact list in one tap.
- Wi-Fi sharing – guests join your network without typing a password. Ideal for cafés, rentals and offices.
- Payments and donations – link to a payment page or tipping link on counters, invoices and flyers.
- Product packaging – point to manuals, warranty registration, authenticity checks or recipe ideas.
- Event tickets and posters – link to registration pages, calendar invites, maps or playlists.
Tips for a QR code that always scans
Keep the contrast high
Scanners look for dark modules on a light background. Dark navy on white works; pale yellow on white does not. QRForge checks the contrast between your two colors and warns you when it is too low. Avoid inverted codes (light modules on a dark background) because many older camera apps cannot read them.
Respect the quiet zone
The blank margin around the code is not decoration. The specification asks for four modules of empty space on every side so the scanner can isolate the pattern from surrounding graphics. Reduce it only if the code sits on a plain background with nothing nearby.
Size for the scanning distance
A useful rule of thumb is that the printed code should be at least one tenth of the distance it will be scanned from. A code read from 30 cm on a business card can be 3 cm wide; a poster scanned from 2 m needs a code around 20 cm wide. Denser codes (long text, high error correction) need a bit more room than that.
Test before you print
Scan the final design with at least two different phones, both in bright light and in dim light, after it has been placed on the real material. Glossy laminates, curved surfaces and fabric all behave differently from a screen. Printing a single test page is far cheaper than reprinting a batch of menus.
Static vs. dynamic QR codes
A static QR code encodes your content directly in the pattern. It is free forever, never expires, works offline and does not depend on any company staying in business. Its only limitation is that the content cannot be changed after printing, so link to a page you control if you expect updates. A dynamic QR code instead points to a short redirect URL owned by a service; the service lets you change the destination and counts scans, but usually charges a monthly fee, and the code stops working if the subscription ends or the provider shuts down. QRForge generates static codes only: no tracking, no redirects and nothing stored on our side.
Frequently asked questions
Is this QR code generator really free?
Yes. Creating QR codes for URLs, text, Wi-Fi, email, phone, SMS and vCards, customizing colors and styles, and downloading PNG files up to 1000px is free with no account, no watermark and no limits. Pro is an optional one-time purchase that unlocks a logo overlay, SVG export, 4000px exports and batch generation.
Do QR codes made with QRForge expire?
No. QRForge creates static QR codes: your content is encoded directly in the pattern, so the code works forever and does not depend on our servers. It only stops working if the destination itself, such as a website, goes offline.
Can I add a logo to my QR code?
Yes, with QRForge Pro. Upload a PNG, JPG or SVG and it is placed in the center of the code on a padded background. The error correction level is automatically raised to H (30% recovery) so the code remains scannable despite the covered modules.
Can I use the QR codes commercially?
Yes. Every QR code you generate is yours to use for any purpose, including menus, packaging, business cards, posters, advertising and products. No attribution is required.
Should I download PNG or SVG?
PNG is a pixel image that works everywhere: websites, documents, social media and most print jobs. SVG is a vector format that stays perfectly sharp at any size and is preferred by designers and print shops for large formats such as banners and signage. SVG export is a Pro feature.
Does QRForge track scans of my QR code?
No. Because the codes are static and point directly to your content, no request ever passes through QRForge, so we cannot see or count scans. If you need scan analytics, use a URL shortener with statistics as the destination of your QR code.