How to use the QR Code Generator
- 1
Pick the type of QR code at the top, for example URL, WiFi or UPI.
- 2
Fill in the details. The preview on the right updates as you type.
- 3
Adjust the colours, error correction level, download size and quiet zone if you need to.
- 4
Scan the preview with your own phone to check it opens the right thing.
- 5
Download the PNG for WhatsApp and screens, or the SVG for printing, and copy the encoded text if you want to keep a record.
What each QR code type does when someone scans it
A QR code is just text stored as a pattern of squares. What happens after the scan depends on how that text starts. A code beginning with https:// opens the browser, one starting with WIFI: offers to join a network, and upi://pay hands the details to a payment app. This tool writes the correct format for you so you do not have to remember the syntax.
| Type | What is stored | What the phone does |
|---|---|---|
| URL | https://yourshop.in/menu | Opens the link in the browser |
| Text | Any message | Shows the text, with an option to copy it |
| WiFi | WIFI:T:WPA;S:name;P:password;H:false;; | Offers to join the network without typing the password |
| UPI | upi://pay?pa=shop@oksbi&pn=Shop&cu=INR | Opens a UPI app such as GPay, PhonePe or Paytm with the payee filled in |
| https://wa.me/919876543210?text=Hi | Opens a chat with that number, message pre-typed | |
| Phone | tel:+919876543210 | Opens the dialler with the number ready |
| SMS | SMSTO:+919876543210:message | Opens the messages app with number and text filled in |
| mailto:hello@site.in?subject=... | Opens a new email with address, subject and body | |
| Contact | vCard 3.0 block | Offers to save the person as a new contact |
Nothing is sent automatically. For the phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email and UPI types the person scanning still has to tap call, send or pay. That is a deliberate safety feature of phones, and it means a QR code cannot charge anyone by itself.
UPI QR codes for small shops and freelancers
A UPI QR printed near the billing counter is the cheapest way to accept digital payments in India. Enter your UPI ID (the VPA, like ramkirana@okaxis or 9876543210@ybl), the name you want shown, and leave the amount empty. Each customer then scans and types what they owe. For a fixed-price item, a tuition fee or an invoice, fill in the amount and a short note such as Invoice 1042, and the payer only has to confirm.
The tool checks that the UPI ID has the name@bank shape before it creates the code, and it stores the amount with two decimals and the currency as INR. The note is optional and shows up in the payment history of both sides, which makes reconciling payments at the end of the month much easier.
Always do a test run. Scan the printed code with a different phone, pay ₹1, and confirm the money lands in the right bank account and that the name your app displays is the one you expect. A single wrong letter in a VPA sends money to someone else or to nobody, and printing 500 stickers before checking is an expensive way to find out.
Error correction levels explained
QR codes store extra recovery data so they still scan when part of the code is dirty, scratched, folded or covered by a logo. You choose how much of the code is spent on that recovery data. More protection means more squares, which makes the code denser and slightly harder to read from far away.
| Level | Approximate damage it can recover from | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| L (Low) | About 7% | Screens, clean digital use, very long text |
| M (Medium) | About 15% | Most printed codes; the sensible default |
| Q (Quartile) | About 25% | Outdoor posters, packaging that gets handled |
| H (High) | About 30% | Codes with a logo pasted in the middle, rough surfaces |
If the preview says the data is too big, try a lower level or shorten the content. A long URL with tracking parameters is the usual culprit.
Printing tips that save you a reprint
- Size: a common rule of thumb is that the code should be about one tenth of the scanning distance. For a table tent read from 30 cm, 3 cm is the bare minimum; 4 to 5 cm is more comfortable. A banner read from 3 metres needs roughly 30 cm.
- Use SVG for print. It is vector, so it stays sharp at any size. The PNG is fine for WhatsApp, Instagram and slides; set the download size slider to at least 1024 px if you must print it.
- Keep the quiet zone. The blank border around the code helps the camera find it. Four modules is the standard; do not crop it off or place the code right against a busy design.
- Dark on light. Black on white is the most reliable. Coloured codes work if the foreground is clearly darker than the background, and this tool warns you when the contrast is too low or the colours are inverted.
Static QR codes do not expire
Some QR websites hand you a short redirect link instead of your real URL. Those dynamic codes stop working when the subscription ends or the company shuts down, and the website can see every scan. The codes made here are static: the actual link, WiFi password or UPI details are stored inside the pattern itself. They work offline, they keep working forever, and this site is not involved when someone scans them.
The flip side is that a static code cannot be edited after printing. If your menu link might change, point the code at a page you control, like yourshop.in/menu, and update that page instead of reprinting.
WiFi codes contain your password in readable form, so anyone who scans one can see it. Put a WiFi QR for guests on a separate guest network rather than your main office network.
Frequently asked questions
Do these QR codes expire?
No. They are static codes, so the information sits inside the image and does not depend on this website. As long as the link or UPI ID inside is valid, the code keeps working.
How do I make a QR code for UPI payment?
Select UPI, enter your UPI ID and the payee name, and optionally a fixed amount and a note. Download the PNG or SVG and print it. Test it once by paying a small amount from another phone before you put it up at the counter.
Can I make a QR code that connects to WiFi?
Yes. Choose WiFi, type the network name exactly, select the security type and enter the password. Modern Android phones and iPhones will offer to join the network straight from the camera app. Special characters such as ; or : in the name or password are escaped automatically.
Should I download PNG or SVG?
PNG is an image that works everywhere, including WhatsApp and Word documents. SVG is a vector file that printers and designers prefer because it stays sharp at any size. If you are unsure, take both.
Why is my coloured QR code not scanning?
Usually the contrast is too low or the colours are reversed, with a light pattern on a dark background. Keep the foreground dark and the background light, and check the warning message under the colour pickers.
Is my data stored when I generate a QR code?
No. The code is generated in your browser, so your WiFi password, phone number or UPI ID is not uploaded to any server.
Last updated on November 9, 2026