What does error correction do?

It adds redundancy so the code still scans when partly obscured, scratched or printed over a logo. Higher levels tolerate more damage but make the pattern denser, so the code needs to be printed larger.

No. A QR code is just an encoding of the text you gave it — there is no tracking, no redirect and no server involved, so it works forever as long as whatever it points to still exists.

🔳 QR Codes

Generate a QR code from text/URL, or read one from an image.

Text or URL

About QR Code Generator & Reader

A QR code is a compact way to hand a URL or a short piece of text to a phone. This tool generates one from anything you type and can also read a code back out of an image.

How to use it

Enter the text or URL you want to encode.
Adjust the colours, size and error-correction level, then download the result as a PNG.
To read a code instead, switch to scan mode and upload an image containing one.

Frequently asked questions

What does error correction do?: It adds redundancy so the code still scans when partly obscured, scratched or printed over a logo. Higher levels tolerate more damage but make the pattern denser, so the code needs to be printed larger.
Do the codes expire?: No. A QR code is just an encoding of the text you gave it — there is no tracking, no redirect and no server involved, so it works forever as long as whatever it points to still exists.