QR Code Generator Guide: URLs, WiFi, and Business Cards in One Tool
Create QR codes for URLs, WiFi, text, phone, SMS, email, and vCards; pick the right size and error correction level; download print-ready PNGs with one click.
A WiFi code on a cafe table connects guests with one scan. A QR code on a business card saves your contact into someone's phone. A code on an event poster takes people straight to the signup page. Turning a URL, password, or contact into a scannable pattern comes down to one thing: a QR code generator. This guide covers the six templates and the parameters that matter, so you can produce a usable QR code in about two minutes.
What a QR Code Generator Can Do: Six Templates
A QR code is just a black-and-white pattern whose meaning comes from the string you put into it. This tool offers six ready-made templates and also accepts free-form text:
| Template | What you fill in | What happens when scanned |
|---|---|---|
| URL | A plain URL | Opens the page |
| WiFi | Network name, encryption, password | Phone connects with one tap |
| Phone | tel:+8613812345678 format | Opens the dialer |
| SMS | sms:+8613812345678?body=... format | Opens the messenger with a prefilled message |
mailto:...?subject=...&body=... format | Opens the mail app | |
| vCard | vCard text | Saves the contact to the address book |
Generate and Download a QR Code in Three Steps
- Open the QR code generator, pick a template or type your text
- Set the size (200–500) and error correction level (L/M/Q/H)
- Click "Generate" and download the PNG
Generation and download happen right in the browser, and the PNG is ready to share or print. Our habit is to scan the code with a phone before downloading it, just to confirm the content is right.
Choosing Size and Error Correction Level
The error correction level decides how much damage a code can take before it stops scanning. Higher levels recover more but make the pattern denser:
| Level | Best for |
|---|---|
| L | Clean patterns, high-quality printing |
| M | Default; everyday on-screen use |
| Q | Small prints that may be partly covered |
| H | Dense environments, high wear risk |
The recovery ratios are roughly L 7%, M 15%, Q 25%, and H 30%, as defined by the QR code specification ISO/IEC 18004 and summarized in the Wikipedia QR code article. Longer content produces denser patterns that are harder to scan at small sizes. For printing, keep the code large enough and leave a quiet margin around it.
Two High-Value Use Cases: WiFi and Business Cards
WiFi QR codes: pick the WiFi template and enter the network name, encryption type, and password. The tool builds the standard format for you, and supported phones connect with a prompt instead of requiring a typed password. Perfect for stores, cafes, and guesthouses. One tip while you are at it: use a strong password generated by the password generator before turning it into a code.
Business card QR codes: pick the vCard template and enter your name, company, phone, and email. The tool outputs vCard format, so people scan it and save the contact directly, which beats reciting a phone number out loud.
Three Checks Before You Generate
- Content is correct: URLs, WiFi passwords, and phone numbers must be exact; one wrong character breaks the code
- Level matches the scene: use Q or H for print, M is enough for screens
- Quiet zone: leave a margin around the code and do not print it too small
If your URL or text contains special characters, run it through the URL encoder/decoder first so the generated code scans cleanly.
FAQ
Can I download the generated QR code?
Yes. A download button appears after generation and saves the code as a PNG. Scan it once more after downloading to be safe.
Is there a content length limit?
Capacity depends on the content type and error correction level. Very long content makes the pattern denser and harder to scan at small sizes; keep the text short or use a link shortener.
How does the WiFi template work?
Pick the WiFi template and enter the network name, encryption type, and password. Supported phones can then connect by scanning the code.
Do QR codes expire?
Static QR codes fix their content into the pattern, so a clear code keeps scanning. But if the URL it points to goes dead or the WiFi password changes, the code becomes useless; just generate a new one.
Summary
Generating QR codes boils down to three things: choose the right template, set sensible parameters, and verify before you share. Next time you need to hand out a URL, WiFi access, or contact details, open the QR code generator and have a working code in about a minute. If you frequently work with API and encoded text, our Base64 encoding and decoding guide is worth a read too.