Encoding Tools

QR Code & Barcode Tools

Generate QR codes, barcodes, WiFi QR codes, and vCard QR codes.

Privacy note: QR and barcode images are generated by third-party rendering services. The content you encode — such as a URL, WiFi password, or contact details — is sent to that service in the request URL so it can render your code. Avoid encoding sensitive personal data. All other processing happens in your browser.

QR Code Generator

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Learn more in our guides

Go deeper on how this works, the technical terms, and the trade-offs.

QR Code Generator

About the QR Code Generator

The QR Code Generator creates a scannable QR code from any text or URL you enter. You can set the size and colours and download the result as a PNG image for print or screen.

Generation happens through a third-party rendering service that draws the code from your content, so the text you encode is sent in the request URL — avoid encoding sensitive data. The image is static, with no click-tracking.

The generator produces a static QR image: it encodes whatever text or URL you enter directly into the code, with no click-tracking or redirect layer. That means the destination cannot be changed after the code is printed — to update where a code points later, encode a link you control and redirect it, rather than the final URL. For print, generate at 512×512 or larger and leave a white margin (the quiet zone) around the code so scanners can read it reliably at small sizes. Because the content is sent to a third-party rendering service in the request URL, avoid encoding sensitive personal data.

How to use the QR Code Generator

  1. 1Open the QR Code Generator.
  2. 2Enter the URL or text to encode.
  3. 3Choose the size and colours.
  4. 4Click Generate and download the PNG.

How the QR Code Generator works

For the QR Code Generator specifically, it creates a scannable QR code from any text or URL you enter. QR and barcode tools render codes through third-party rendering services, with one local exception. The content you encode — a URL, WiFi credentials, contact details, or product data — is sent to that service in the request URL, and the server draws the code and returns a static PNG image. QR codes encode data in a two-dimensional matrix of black modules with built-in error-correction redundancy, so a slightly damaged code still scans. 1D barcodes encode data as parallel bars of varying width: Code128 supports all 128 ASCII characters, Code39 supports uppercase letters and digits, EAN-13 requires exactly 13 numeric digits (including a check digit), and UPC-A requires exactly 12. Each format has its own character set and check-digit rules, so the wrong length or characters produce a code that will not scan. The decoders are different from the generators: they read an uploaded image locally in the browser using a barcode-reading library, so the image never leaves your device. Clear, well-lit, high-contrast, horizontal images decode most reliably; damaged, blurry, or angled codes may fail. Generated codes are static images with no click-tracking or redirect layer, so the destination cannot be changed after printing — to update where a code points later, encode a link you control and redirect it. For print, generate at 512×512 or larger and leave a white margin (the quiet zone) around the code so scanners can read it reliably at small sizes. Because content travels in the request URL, avoid encoding sensitive personal data.

How this tool handles your data. QR and barcode images are rendered by third-party rendering services. The content you encode (URL, WiFi password, or contact details) is sent to that service in the request URL so it can draw your code, so avoid encoding sensitive personal data. The decoders read uploaded images locally in your browser. Generated codes are static PNG images with no click-tracking.

Supported formats & limitations. EAN-13 requires exactly 13 digits and UPC-A exactly 12 digits, including the check digit. Code39 supports uppercase letters, digits, and a small symbol set; Code128 supports all ASCII characters. The QR decoder reads QR codes only — use the Barcode Decoder for 1D barcodes. Damaged, blurry, or low-contrast codes may fail to decode.

Practical workflow. In practice, you work through a short sequence: 1. Open the QR Code Generator 2. Enter the URL or text to encode 3. Choose the size and colours 4. Click Generate and download the PNG. It is well suited to linking print materials and posters to a website; sharing a URL on a business card; encoding short text or contact details.

Best practice. Use a dark code on a light background, generate at 512×512 or larger for print, and leave a white margin (the quiet zone) around the code so scanners can read it reliably.

Tips & common pitfalls. With the QR Code Generator in particular, linking print materials and posters to a website. Use a dark code on a light background, generate at 512×512 or larger for print, and leave a white margin (the quiet zone) around the code so scanners can read it reliably at small sizes. Because the content you encode is sent to a third-party rendering service in the request URL, avoid encoding sensitive personal data. Generated codes are static images with no click-tracking, so the destination cannot be changed after printing — to update a code later, encode a link you control and redirect it. Use the correct format for your data.

Troubleshooting

The first thing to know about the QR Code Generator: generate at 512×512 or larger so the code stays sharp when scaled down, and leave a white margin (quiet zone) around it. If a generated code will not scan, regenerate at 512×512 or larger, use a dark code on a light background, and leave a white margin (quiet zone) around it. If EAN-13 or UPC-A is rejected, you entered the wrong digit count — EAN-13 needs exactly 13 digits and UPC-A exactly 12, including the check digit. If Code39 will not scan, convert text to uppercase first; it does not support lowercase. If the decoder fails, crop tightly to just the code, ensure it is horizontal and well-lit, and increase contrast. Because the content you encode is sent to a third-party rendering service in the request URL, avoid encoding sensitive personal data.

Common use cases

  • Linking print materials and posters to a website.
  • Sharing a URL on a business card.
  • Encoding short text or contact details.

Frequently asked questions

Tap a question to expand the answer.

QR codes are rendered by a third-party rendering service. The content you encode is sent to that service in the request URL, so do not encode sensitive personal data.


Frequently Asked Questions About This Tool

1. Is my data secure when using this tool?

QR and barcode images are generated by a third-party rendering service. The content you encode — such as a URL, WiFi password, or contact details — is sent to that service in the request URL so it can draw your code, so avoid encoding sensitive personal data. All other processing happens in your browser.

2. What types of codes can I generate?

QR codes (including dynamic, WiFi, and vCard QR) and Code 128, Code 39, EAN-13, and UPC-A barcodes.

Last reviewed: October 2026

About the QR & Barcode Tools

The QR & Barcode Tools are 10 utilities for generating and decoding machine-readable codes — QR codes, dynamic QR codes (URL, phone, email, SMS), WiFi QR codes, vCard QR codes, and barcodes in Code128, Code39, EAN-13, and UPC-A formats, plus QR and barcode decoders.

Generate codes for sharing links, contact details, and WiFi credentials, or decode codes from uploaded images. All generation happens through reliable public APIs and runs without an account.

They are built for businesses, retailers, homeowners, and professionals who need scannable codes for products, signage, and contact sharing without specialised software.

How to use these tools

  1. 1Select a tool from the sidebar.
  2. 2Enter your content — URL, text, WiFi details, contact information, or barcode data.
  3. 3Customise size and colours where available, then click Generate.
  4. 4Download the QR code or barcode as a PNG image.

Common use cases

  • Businesses creating QR codes for menus, posters, and product packaging.
  • Homeowners sharing WiFi credentials with guests via a scannable code.
  • Professionals sharing contact details through vCard QR codes.
  • Retailers generating EAN-13 and UPC-A barcodes for products.
  • Anyone decoding QR codes from screenshots or photos.
  • Event organisers encoding URLs into QR codes for signage and tickets.

Expert tips & best practices

  • 1Test every QR code with multiple phones before printing — a code that scans on one device may fail on another if it is too small or low-contrast.
  • 2Use dark codes on light backgrounds for the best scan reliability; avoid low-contrast colour combinations.
  • 3Generate at 512×512 or larger for print so the code stays sharp when scaled down on a poster or card.
  • 4For WiFi QR codes, double-check the password and security type before sharing — a typo locks guests out.
  • 5Keep EAN-13 to exactly 13 digits and UPC-A to exactly 12 digits, including the check digit, or the barcode will not scan at retail.

Limitations & processing details

  • QR and barcode images are rendered by third-party rendering services. The content you encode (URL, WiFi password, or contact details) is sent to that service in the request URL so it can draw your code, so avoid encoding sensitive personal data.
  • EAN-13 requires exactly 13 digits and UPC-A exactly 12 digits (including the check digit), or the barcode will not scan at retail. Code39 supports uppercase A–Z, 0–9, and a small set of symbols only; Code128 supports all ASCII characters.
  • The QR decoder reads QR codes from an uploaded image using a browser library. It cannot read 1D barcodes, and damaged, blurry, or low-contrast codes may fail to decode.
  • Generated codes are static PNG images with no click-tracking or edit-after-printing. If you need a destination you can update later, host that URL yourself and encode the link rather than the final content.

Frequently asked questions

Are the QR and barcode tools free?+

Yes. All 10 tools are completely free and require no account.

Can I download the generated codes?+

Yes. Every generator lets you download the code as a PNG image in your chosen size and colours.

What barcode formats are supported?+

The tools generate Code128, Code39, EAN-13, and UPC-A barcodes. EAN-13 requires exactly 13 digits and UPC-A requires exactly 12 digits.

How does the QR decoder work?+

Upload an image containing a QR code and the decoder reads the embedded content. For best results, use a clear, well-lit image.

Do the tools store my data?+

No. Generation and decoding happen in your browser or via a public API that returns only the image. Your content is not stored.

How do I make sure my QR code scans reliably?+

Use a dark code on a light background, generate at 512×512 or larger for print, and leave quiet space (a white margin) around the code so scanners can detect it.

Privacy & security: UtilityAIWorkspace tools process your data in your browser whenever possible. Your files and content are not uploaded to a server for local tools, and AI-powered features transmit only what is needed to fulfil your request. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service for full details.