Guide
How to generate a QR code
A two-minute walkthrough for creating a free, custom QR code for any URL — with color, corner, and logo options.
A QR code is a small square image that encodes a URL (or other text). When someone points their phone's camera at it, the phone opens the link. QR codes are everywhere — on menus, packaging, business cards, flyers, and web pages — because they remove friction between the physical world and the web.
This guide shows you how to generate a QR code for a website for free using QR This!. No downloads, no signup, no watermarks.
Step 1: Open the generator
Head to the QR This! homepage. Everything runs in your browser — the URL you enter never leaves your device.
Step 2: Paste your URL
Paste the link you want the QR code to open. A full URL works (e.g. https://example.com/menu), and so does a bare domain — we automatically add https://for you.
Step 3: Pick a color
Use the color picker to match your brand. Stick to dark colors on a light background for the most reliable scans — QR codes work by contrast, so a very light color on white will be harder to read.
Step 4: Choose square or rounded corners
Square is the classic, maximum-compatibility look. Rounded softens the corners and dots for a friendlier, more modern feel. Both scan equally well on any current phone.
Step 5: Add a center logo (optional)
Upload a PNG, JPG, or SVG to embed in the middle of the QR code. Keep the logo under ~35% of the code's width (we enforce this automatically) so scanners can still read around it. For more detail, see how to make a QR code with a logo.
Step 6: Generate and download
Click Generateto see your live preview. Fine tune any option and it updates in place. When you're happy, click Download PNG— you'll get a 1024×1024 square image suitable for both print and web.
Tips for QR codes that always scan
- Keep strong contrast between the QR color and the background.
- Preserve a quiet zone: leave a bit of whitespace around the QR when placing it in a layout.
- Print at a minimum of about 0.8" (2 cm) wide for phone cameras to lock on reliably.
- Test the final output with a couple of phones before printing 10,000 flyers.
Frequently asked questions
Is QR This! actually free? What's the catch?
Yes, QR This! is genuinely free. There's no signup, no watermark, no usage limit, and no premium tier. The site is supported by lightweight ads. Your URL never leaves your browser — the QR is generated on your device.
Do QR codes from QR This! ever expire?
No. The QR codes you generate are static codes that encode the exact URL you provided. They keep working as long as that URL works. There is no service in the middle that could expire or be discontinued.
Can I use the QR code commercially?
Yes. The QR code specification is royalty-free. You own the PNG you download and can use it on flyers, packaging, storefronts, products, business cards, or anywhere else — no attribution required.
What URL length works best?
Shorter is better. URLs under 60 characters produce smaller, cleaner codes that scan reliably even at small print sizes. If you have a long URL, consider using a short link service or a vanity short domain before generating the QR.
Will the code still scan if I add a logo?
Yes. QR This! switches to the highest error-correction level (level H) when you upload a logo, which lets scanners read the code even with about 30% of it obscured. The logo is automatically constrained to about 35% of the code's width to leave headroom.
Can I generate QR codes for things other than URLs?
Currently QR This! is optimized for URLs. You can technically paste any string into the URL field and it will encode, but you may run into validation prompts. Future versions may add explicit support for WiFi credentials, vCards, and plain text.
What size PNG does QR This! produce?
Every download is a 1024×1024 PNG. That's high enough resolution for any common print application, from business cards through to posters at about 30 cm wide at 300 DPI. For very large formats, you can scale the PNG up with minor quality loss or rebuild it as SVG.
Why does my QR code look denser when I add a logo?
Higher error correction adds redundancy to the code, which means more modules per unit of data. The result is a denser-looking image. This is a feature, not a bug — it's what lets the code survive having a logo placed on top of it.
Ready to generate a QR code?
It's free, runs in your browser, and takes about two minutes.
Open the generator