Free QR Code Generator — Create Custom QR Codes Instantly
Generate custom QR codes for URLs, text, contact cards, and WiFi passwords instantly in your browser. No upload, no signup. Download as PNG.
This tool is part of PDFLocal's full productivity suite. Access it on the main dashboard:
Open Free QR Code Generator ToolFree QR Code Generator — Create Custom QR Codes Instantly
Generate custom QR codes for URLs, text, contact cards, and WiFi passwords instantly in your browser. No upload, no signup. Download as PNG. This tool runs 100% in your browser — your data is never sent to any server, logged, or stored anywhere outside your own device. This makes PDFLocal the most private choice for handling sensitive text, images, or file data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of data can a QR code contain?
QR codes are remarkably versatile and can encode many types of data. The most common types include: plain URLs or website links, plain text passages up to around 4,000 characters, email addresses pre-formatted to open a compose window, phone numbers formatted to dial directly, SMS messages with pre-filled content, WiFi network credentials (SSID, password, and encryption type) that automatically prompt devices to connect, vCard/contact information cards that save directly to a phone's address book, and geographic coordinates for map locations. PDFLocal supports all of these QR types through its input options.
How much data can a QR code store?
QR codes have a maximum data capacity that depends on the type of content and the error correction level. For numeric data (digits only): up to 7,089 characters. For alphanumeric (letters, numbers, some symbols): up to 4,296 characters. For arbitrary binary data: up to 2,953 bytes. For Kanji/Japanese characters: up to 1,817 characters. In practice, the more data you encode, the more complex (denser) the QR code becomes, and the harder it is to scan reliably — especially when printed at small sizes. For reliable scanning across all devices and lighting conditions, keep QR code content as concise as possible, ideally under 200 characters.
How do I scan a QR code using PDFLocal?
PDFLocal includes a built-in QR code scanner as part of the QR Code Suite. You can either upload an image file (JPG, PNG) that contains a QR code and the scanner will decode it automatically, or use your device's webcam/camera for live real-time scanning. The live scanner uses the jsQR library which runs entirely in your browser — no images are transmitted to any server during scanning.
Can I add a logo or colour to my QR code?
Currently, PDFLocal generates standard monochrome QR codes optimized for maximum scan reliability. Custom-colored QR codes (using brand colors) and QR codes with embedded logos are features that reduce the "quiet zone" and modify the module colors, which can reduce scan reliability if not done carefully. These advanced customization features are on our roadmap for a future update. For brand-critical QR codes where appearance is important, we recommend professional QR code generators that specialise in design-oriented codes while maintaining scan reliability.