How to generate a QR code

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.