QR codes are everywhere now — restaurant menus, business cards, packaging, posters, even gym equipment. They are essentially clickable URLs that work in the physical world: point a phone camera at one and it opens whatever destination is encoded in it.
This guide covers exactly how to create a QR code for any URL, WiFi network, contact card, or piece of text — for free, with no signup, in under a minute.
Once an obscure curiosity, QR codes became mainstream during 2020 when restaurants needed contactless menus. They have stayed in use because they solve a real problem: getting people from the physical world to a digital destination without typing a URL.
Common uses today include:
Use SVG for any printed material. SVG is a vector format — the QR code is stored as instructions for drawing shapes, not as pixels. This means it scales infinitely without becoming blurry. A 100×100 SVG can be printed on a billboard or a postage stamp and still look razor-sharp.
Use PNG for screens. PNG is pixel-based. It works perfectly for websites, social media, email signatures, and presentations. Generate at the size you need (or larger — never smaller), and quality will be fine on screen.
When in doubt, generate both. Both formats are free to download from Criply's QR code generator.
A WiFi QR code lets anyone with a smartphone join your network by pointing their camera at the code — no password typing required:
Print the QR code on a small card and stick it near reception, on a noticeboard, or on the fridge. Guests scan it and connect — no more dictating "capital P, then 7, then dollar sign" over and over.
This step takes 30 seconds and saves significant embarrassment. Before sending a poster, business card, or menu to print:
The most common QR code disasters are typos in the URL (no one notices until it is printed on 5,000 menus) and using a too-small print size that cameras cannot focus on. Test on both an iPhone and Android — they use slightly different scanners.
The minimum reliable size is determined by scanning distance. Rough rule: minimum QR code size = scanning distance ÷ 10.
Add quiet space (whitespace) around the code equal to at least 4 modules. Without that buffer, scanners struggle to identify the edges of the code.
Do Criply QR codes expire?
No. QR codes generated by Criply are static — the destination is encoded directly in the code itself. They work forever. Dynamic QR codes (which route through a third-party server) carry the risk of going dead if the redirect service shuts down.
Can I customise the colour or add a logo?
Yes — both foreground and background colours can be changed. Use high contrast (dark on light) for reliable scanning. Logos in the centre work because QR codes have built-in error correction up to 30% of the code area.
How much data can a QR code hold?
Up to ~7,000 numeric characters or ~4,300 alphanumeric characters at the largest size. For URLs, anything up to 200 characters works comfortably. For longer content, link to a webpage rather than encoding the whole text.
What if my QR code does not scan?
Three causes account for most failures: too small for the scanning distance, low contrast (light grey on white never works), or insufficient quiet space around the code. Increase size first, then check contrast, then add whitespace.
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QR Code Generator — FreeCreate free QR codes for websites, WiFi passwords, contacts, and payment links. Covers PNG vs SVG for print, design tips, and common QR code mistakes to avoid.
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