What you can encode in a QR code
A QR code can hold a website link, plain text, contact details, or specially formatted strings like Wi-Fi credentials. Scanning it with a phone camera decodes the data instantly — no app installation needed on most modern phones.
Tips for a scannable QR code
- Keep strong contrast between the code and its background — dark on light works best
- Leave a quiet margin of blank space around the code so scanners can detect its edges
- Test-scan the code yourself before printing it at scale
- Don't shrink it too small — a busy or tiny code becomes unreliable to scan
Frequently asked questions
Do QR codes expire?
No — a QR code generated this way encodes your data directly and doesn't expire on its own. If it links to a webpage, it stops working only if that page is taken down.
Is my data sent anywhere when I generate a code?
No — the QR code is drawn entirely in your browser on a canvas element. Whatever you type never leaves your device or gets sent to a server.
Is there a limit to how much text a QR code can hold?
Yes — QR codes have a fixed maximum capacity that depends on the error-correction level used. This tool uses error-correction level M, which supports up to roughly 2,300 bytes of text (fewer if you use non-Latin characters or emoji, since those take up more bytes each). The live counter above the code shows exactly how much room you have left. For long text, a shortened link is more reliable than pasting the full content.
Does more text make the QR code harder to scan?
Yes — more data means a denser pattern with smaller squares, which some cameras struggle with at a distance or in poor lighting. Shorter content (like a link instead of a full paragraph) generally scans faster and more reliably.