What can a QR code actually store?
A QR code isn't limited to links — it's just a visual container for text. You can encode a plain URL, a block of plain text, a phone number (tel:), an email address (mailto:), or a specially formatted Wi-Fi string (WIFI:S:name;T:WPA;P:password;;) that lets a phone camera join a network without typing the password. Whatever you type into the box above gets encoded as-is.
Error correction and common use cases
- This generator uses error correction level H (high), meaning up to ~30% of the code can be damaged or obscured — like by a logo overlay — and still scan correctly
- Restaurant menus and business cards: point a camera at the code instead of typing a URL
- Wi-Fi sharing: guests scan once and connect, no password typing required
- Print materials — flyers, packaging, signage — where a QR code bridges offline and online
- Larger sizes (512×512) print more reliably at small physical scale or from a distance; 128×128 is fine for on-screen use
Frequently asked questions
What kind of data can I put in a QR code?
Anything that's plain text: URLs, phone numbers, email addresses, Wi-Fi credentials in the standard WIFI: format, or just a sentence of text. The code itself doesn't know or care what the text means — the scanning app decides how to interpret it (a URL opens a browser, a tel: link opens the dialer, and so on).
What is error correction and which level should I use?
QR codes include redundant data so they can still be read even if part of the code is dirty, scratched, or covered by a logo. Levels range from L (~7% recoverable) to H (~30% recoverable) — higher levels add resilience at the cost of a denser, more complex pattern. This tool generates codes at level H by default for maximum reliability.
Why won't my QR code scan?
Usually it's low contrast, a code that's too small relative to the scanning distance, or too much surrounding clutter confusing the camera's focus. Try downloading a larger size (512×512) and make sure there's a clear quiet margin of blank space around the code when you print or display it.
Is my data uploaded when I generate a QR code?
No. The QR code is generated entirely in your browser using JavaScript — the text you enter never leaves your device or touches a server.