No need to be a professional designer or have special graphic tools to get a great design. Just choose one of 21 available content types, fill in the required fields, change the design, select resolution, and save the result in PNG, JPG, WebP, or SVG format. Contrast and scannability checks will help to avoid those design solutions that look fine visually but are difficult to scan.
Everything related to the creation of a QR code, whether it is website code, guest Wi-Fi, a vCard for your business card, Google Reviews collection, or a payment link, is gathered in one place. You can make a clear design of a standard type or a branded one without overcomplicating the process.
Create a Scannable Code for 21 Different Actions
In just a few moments, you will turn your website, Wi-Fi network, contact card, social media account, payment link, event, location, or message into a scannable code. This free QR code maker offers you much greater options for customization compared to simple black-and-white makers. With this tool, you will be able to change colors, add linear and radial gradient backgrounds, customize dot and eye patterns, upload a logo, and see how all your changes affect the result in a real-time preview.
No design skills and expensive tools are required for creating high-quality codes. Select any of the 21 content types, enter information, choose appearance, set resolution, and download a ready-made image in PNG, JPG, WebP, or SVG format. The integrated contrast and scannability analysis also makes sure that none of your design decisions will lead to problems with scanning the code.
No matter whether you make a QR code for a website, share guest Wi-Fi access, create a vCard, ask for Google Reviews, or make a payment link, you can do everything in one convenient interface. With our QR code generator, you will be able to design standard codes or customized codes without turning your task into an extensive design project.
Create a Scannable Code for 21 Different Actions
Scannable QR codes have other uses as well, such as preparation of an e-mail, initiation of a phone call, connection to a Wi-Fi for a guest, saving contact information, opening a map, initiation of a social profile, Zoom meetings, or leading directly to a download page.
Choose content type in accordance with the action your visitors will perform after scanning:
| Category | Available Types | What Happens After Scanning |
| Web and information | URL, Text | Opens a webpage or shows saved text |
| Direct communication | Email, Phone, SMS | Prepares e-mail, calls, or texts |
| Messaging | WhatsApp, Telegram | Opens chat, profile, or conversation |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi | Connects using saved credentials to a network |
| Contact sharing | vCard | Allows saving of contacts and business information |
| Planning | Event, Location, Zoom | Opens an event, a location on a map, or a meeting |
| Mobile apps | App Store, Google Play | Links users to iOS or Android app store pages |
| Commerce | Payment, PayPal, Bitcoin | Opens a checkout or prepares a payment request |
| Social media | X.com, Facebook, Instagram | Opens a social profile, account, or page |
| Reputation | Google Reviews | Leads customers to a business reviews page |
Since all these types of actions are included in one service, you may use it as a website QR code generator, text code generator, e-mailing service, phone number generator, Wi-Fi password generator, vCard generator, social media code generator, or payments link without changing services.
Build a Custom QR Code That Fits Your Brand
A generic code will do the trick, but a branded one is typically more thought out. It can be designed to fit into your website, product packaging, business card, event promotion material, menu, or marketing campaign. With Codlico you can have all these design elements within reach to help you create a code that will integrate well with your brand.
With Codlico, you can customize the primary colors, adjust the shape of the dots, customize the corner eyes, use a gradient effect, and embed a logo inside.
Match Your Brand Colors
Select your own foreground color and background depending on the color scheme of your brand. The foreground and background can have the same blue color of your website or the dark green color of your packaging. This feature is very helpful when you want to create an image in the monochrome black-and-white style.
In most cases, it’s recommended to keep the foreground darker than the background. Such colors as dark blue, charcoal, burgundy, dark green, and other deep colors look well against the light-colored background. The bright colors, the complicated background, or the two colors with low contrast may make the final image difficult to recognize with your smartphone camera.
The program shows the contrast result while you are creating an image. It’s a really small but important moment, as you can make visual corrections without thinking if the final picture works properly.
Use One Color or a Gradient
You can either stick to one color in the design of your foreground or use a linear gradient moving along the pattern or a radial gradient emanating from the center. Each method adds a unique flavor to the image while keeping its inner content intact.
A gradient can look impressive applied to digital ads, social media publications, product cards, presentations, event banners, and many other kinds of design. Just make sure that every part of your gradient remains sufficiently dark against the background. Light gradients tend to look elegant but can become untrustworthy when scanned.
Change Dot and Eye Style
The modules forming the main structure of the design don’t necessarily have to remain square. You can choose between square, rounded, super rounded, classic, or classic rounded dots depending on the style you are looking for.
The three big dots in the corners also can be customized. There are separate parameters for adjusting the eye frame, eye pupil, and eye shape. It is easy to make your pattern more personal without making it strange to perceive.
Add a Logo to the Center
Click on the logo and branding tab to insert your company’s logo, brand icon, picture of a product, or profile image. After uploading an image, find the right balance between legibility and scanning using the size slider.
This way, the generator becomes perfect for cases when a QR code generator with a logo becomes necessary. The center logo will enable people to understand to whom the QR code belongs before scanning it.
The simplest way would be to insert a square image. It’s best not to use logos containing very small lettering, too-thin parts, awkward blank space, or an image that is extremely wide. Make sure that the image is of reasonable size, preview it live, and scan the code again after changing its size.
How to Create a QR Code in 7 Steps
Creating a QR code shouldn’t be an intimidating experience for you. It involves such simple steps as choosing the functionality, inserting the information, styling the code, checking its scannability, and downloading it.
1. Choose the Desired Action
Choose between URL, email, text, call, SMS, WhatsApp, Wi-Fi, vCard, event, location, Zoom, App Store, Google Play, payment, social media, or Google Reviews.
Correctly choosing the type allows your device to know what kind of action it will do. The Wi-Fi code saves all the needed data for a particular network, and the vCard formats names, numbers, emails, and business information in such a way that it can be saved in the contacts.
2. Enter the Needed Data
Enter the needed information into the provided boxes. For the website, choose the full URL address. In case of a Wi-Fi network, provide the name of the network, its security type, and the password. If the needed action is vCard, provide the name of the person, his/her company and position, his/her phone numbers, email, site, and address data.
Do not forget to check all the entered information, as the mistakes cannot be corrected after that, and you’ll have to generate the image again.
3. Choose the Color Style
Go to the panel of colors and styles and pick one color, a linear gradient, or a radial gradient. Then set the foreground, background, eye frame, and eye pupil colors.
Be aware of the contrast indicator. While the gentle color scheme may look pretty on a wide screen, it may become invisible when you print the result on a small card, label, or flyer.
4. Select Dot and Eye Shapes
Pick the shapes of modules and corners depending on your needs and preferences. Rounded shapes look more relaxed and modern, whereas square shapes are more traditional and distinctive.
There is no best style for all the projects. The main thing here is keeping the corners recognizable and the whole design comprehensible.
5. Upload a Brand Logo
Go to the panel of logo and branding, upload the required image, and activate the logo setting. Try adjusting its size for the best result.
A good practice is not to put the logo too large into the middle of the pattern. While the design format will compensate for many mistakes, an oversize logo may interfere with the scanning process.
6. Checking the Preview
Check whether the scannability has been ensured in the live preview before downloading. If there is any issue, modify the contrast, background, logo, size, or color until the output gets better.
In the case of an important campaign, you should conduct the design testing process using more than one mobile phone. Moreover, you should always test your design using not just the camera app but also other scanning apps.
7. Selecting Resolution and Downloading
You should select 500px, 1000px, or 2000px and download the file as PNG, JPG, WebP, or SVG. All depends on where you would like to use it.
The smaller web graphic could be made only in a PNG or WebP format, while a bigger image or an SVG could be used in packaging, signs, posters, and professional layout designs.
Pick the Right One for Your Goal
The best codes don’t necessarily come in all colors. The best is a code that takes people precisely where they want to go in a smooth and obvious way.
URL QR Code for Web Site or Landing Page
Choose the URL format to transform a web address into an address. The address will take you to a home page, product page, booking page, menu page, sign-up form, gallery, video, survey, support page, or landing page.
This is also a good choice when using it as a URL QR code generator, website URL generator, Google Form QR code generator, or landing page builder. Just paste the entire URL, including the https:// part, and make sure it is accessible from a mobile device without any problems.
More complex addresses with tracking parameters will produce a more intricate design. This should not be a problem, although the code should be slightly larger than a shorter URL.
QR Code for a PDF or Downloadable File
It does not upload or save PDFs in any way. To share a PDF, put your document on the website, cloud, CMS, or some other publicly available file hosting service. Get the URL of the file and insert it into the respective field.
You can do the same thing for an image, catalog, instruction manual, restaurant menu, price list, presentation, audio file, or video. The image contains the link to the file and not the file itself.
Before publishing it, check the link in a private browser window. It takes only a few seconds but allows checking whether the customers will have to enter credentials or permissions.
Wi-Fi QR Code for Guests and Customers
A Wi-Fi QR code generator helps to simplify entering a complex password by the visitor. You just need to enter the network name, choose WPA/WPA2, WEP, or no encryption, enter the password, and indicate whether the network is hidden.
Use it in such cases as the following:
- Hotels and vacation rentals
- Restaurants and coffee shops
- Offices and coworking spaces
- Clinics and reception areas
- Schools, libraries, and training rooms
- Exhibition booths and conference venues
- Homes and guest rooms
Place it where your authorized visitors can see it, but don’t show private information about your internal network in a public space. It’s better to create a guest network.
vCard QR Code for Business Cards
The vCard holds contact data in a form that most phones are able to save as-is. It includes the ability to input a first name, last name, company, job title, phone numbers, email, website, street address, city, state, zip code, and country.
It may be used as a business card QR code generator, electronic contact card, name card creator, or networking aid. It may be embedded into physical cards, resumes, name tags, trade show signage, storefront signs, brochures, and sales materials.
You do not need to use all of the fields available. In some cases, using only the information that will actually get used may help create a neater final pattern.
Email, Phone, SMS, and Messaging Codes
The email code may preconfigure an email with the recipient, the subject line, and the body written out. The phone code makes a call, whereas the SMS code initiates a text message that is already configured.
Codes to open WhatsApp and Telegram lead more quickly to a chat window, profile, or discussion. These may be used for such purposes as customer support, booking, appointments, sales questions, help in organizing events, and contacting communities.
A phone number should be in a format that is understandable to your audience, especially if the audience might be scanning the code from a foreign country. You should test the outcome on Android and iPhone devices whenever possible.
Event, Location, and Zoom Codes
Event Code allows you to specify the name, date, start and end times, venue, website, reminder, and description. It is great for class, webinars, conferences, appointments, performances, community events, product launches, and any other private events.
The location code provides information about latitude and longitude so that the scanner will be able to open a map to show this exact point. It is good to use for venues, parking areas, entrances for deliveries, hiking trailheads, temporary booths, outdoor meeting points, or wherever there is no simple address available.
A Zoom code enables guests to attend the meeting automatically without typing in the ID and password. It should be used carefully because whoever sees your QR code can get into the meeting.
App Store and Google Play Codes
Generate codes that allow users to get straight to an app from their smartphones. Such codes can be used on packaging, on websites, in advertisements, in instructions, in training guides, in stores, and at events.
In case you expect your customers to include both Apple iPhone and Android device owners, you need to prepare two different codes.
Social Media QR Codes
Prepare QR codes that link directly to X.com, Facebook, Instagram, or Telegram. The following objects are appropriate for social codes: receipts, packaging, table cards, store windows, banners, merchandize, event signs, or print portfolios.
Wherever possible, always use the full URL for the public profile instead of a shortened or temporary one. You can also log out from your account to see if the website is accessible to other people.
Google Review QR Code
A Google Review QR code helps customers give their opinions following the shopping, appointment, service completion, etc. Add the full link to your review, customize the design, and use it on the receipt, in the display at the counter, on the thank-you card, inside packages, etc.
Always ask customers to write an honest review instead of suggesting what to write. The point of it is to make the feedback process more convenient for customers, not to manipulate their reviews.
Payment, PayPal, and Bitcoin Codes
Use the payment link for a checkout page, invoice link, donation page, or any other payment destination. With a PayPal code, you can create a Buy Now button, Add To Cart button, or donation page with such parameters as seller information, product description, amount, currency, tax, and shipping price.
The Bitcoin QR code allows adding a wallet address, requested amount, label, and message. Be careful and check each letter because cryptocurrency transactions cannot be undone.
Place the expected name of your company, amount, or the purpose of the transfer near any of the payment codes. It will give your customers one more chance to make sure they are clicking the right link.
Download the Right Format for Print or Digital Use
Codlico offers you three resolutions for downloading: 500px, 1000px, and 2000px with PNG, JPG, WebP, and SVG downloads. Thus, this service is great for websites, graphics for digital media, design for layout use, printing for cards, packaging, and other print media.
PNG
PNG is a versatile format for general use, such as for website icons, web documents, emails, PowerPoint presentations, social media graphics, stickers, labels, and other print media that require small resolution. In addition, it preserves hard edges without compression artifacts you can see in JPG files.
For large-sized images and placing images in larger designs, choose a higher resolution.
JPG
JPG works almost everywhere. JPG is compatible with office applications, websites, emails, printing companies, and most popular graphics editors. Thus, JPG is great for use wherever versatility and a wide range of compatibility are required.
Be careful not to save JPG several times after editing since every new save causes compression that makes small edges soft, which is essential for the scanner’s recognition.
WebP
WebP is a good candidate for modern websites since it allows reducing file size while providing high-quality images. This format is ideal for use on landing pages, blog entries, e-commerce websites, product cards, and web applications.
Remember to check the compatibility of your website platform or program you’re using for building a website with the WebP format. Modern browsers are compatible with this format, but older ones might still need PNG or JPG.
SVG
When the artwork should scale, SVG is the best option. Being a vector format, SVG will not become blurry even if you enlarge it to make a sign, banner, packaging, poster, trade show display, or a professional layout.
Furthermore, SVG files can be opened in different illustration and page layout software that makes it easier to incorporate code into the branded artwork and preserve sharp edges.
A Static QR Code With No Login or Built-In Expiration
The codes generated with the help of this service will be static. In other words, the link to the website, contact information, message, details about Wi-Fi connection, or any other data will be integrated into the image, but not saved in an editable redirect dashboard.
A static code does not have any built-in countdown timer. Such codes can work as long as the image is readable and the destination remains available. Note that a website page can be changed, deleted, or made inaccessible, thus using a stable URL for menus, signs, packaging, or any other materials you want to keep in circulation for a while.
There is no need to log in to create and download a QR code design. Just enter the necessary data, customize the design, preview the result, and download the file.
In such a way, the online QR code creator service can be useful to those looking for a free QR code generator without login, a static QR code generator, or a free code with no expiration. Just keep in mind that the phrase “with no expiration” refers to the code itself.
Understand What the Tool Is—and Is Not
Codlico is designed specifically to generate a single customized static code at a time. This includes design considerations, scanning capabilities, content selection, and downloading files, but not campaign management.
The tool currently does not offer the following things:
- Editing of the destination once the file has been downloaded
- Scanning tracking, statistics, or reporting
- Bulk/batch code generation
- Access to Developer API
- Folders for users or teams
- Hosting of the image or PDF
- EPS or PDF exporting capability
- AI-generated art patterns
- Transparent background download capability
Understanding these limitations could actually save you time. If you’re going to need thousands of codes, editable destination URLs, campaign statistics, team permissions, or API functionality, then you will likely have to resort to a dynamic tool that is capable of these things.
In everyday usage, however, this limitation could actually be useful. There’s no dashboard to set up and no account needed—all you do is create the image, test it, download it, and use it.
Scannability Is More Important Than Decorations
When designing a barcode or QR code, beauty is less important than scannability. Colors, symbols, logos, shapes, and gradients should increase recognition without covering elements to be scanned by the camera.
Keep High Contrast
Always use a light background with a dark color for the foreground. Stay away from weak designs on white, dark patterns on a dark background, and gradients that turn into transparency in some area.
Feedback on contrast and scannability is a useful hint not to download your design. In case it detects any issues, you need to change colors rather than hoping that the printed version will be okay.
Preserve Clear Space Around the Design
Keep an empty space all the way around the design. There should be no text, border, pictures, icons, or other decorations right next to the edges of the design.
This empty space will allow a phone camera to distinguish the design from other graphics. It may seem unnecessary, but it does matter for successful scanning.
Use the Logo Conservatively
The center logo will add branding and authenticity to your design, but it is not necessarily true that the bigger it is, the more credible it will look. Sometimes a big logo might interfere with the reading process on some phones.
Make sure you keep the logo small and centered. Test the preview after each resizing and scan the download file instead of trusting its appearance in the preview.
Do Not Stretch the Image
Change the dimensions of your image starting from one corner and not distorting the proportions of its width and height. Otherwise, the modules will get distorted as well as their corners.
In case of large-format usage, download the SVG file or create a new raster file with increased resolution. Resizing the small screenshot will likely distort the image.
Test on the Final Material Itself
What scans perfectly fine on a brightly lit laptop screen might act differently when printed out. The texture of paper, glossiness of the surface, folding, curving, lack of light, exposure to sunlight, and viewing distance might all influence scanning.
Print out a sample before ordering a hundred or even thousand copies of it. Test it at the distance people are going to view it and test the image with several different phones if it’s meant to be used for an important campaign.
Make the Destination Worth the Scanning Process
Great design may get people’s attention, but what really makes them scan is the destination. Provide people with an explanation of what they’ll find there using a clear call-to-action statement.
Some examples include:
- View the menu
- Connect to guest Wi-Fi
- Save my contact details
- Leave a Google review
- Register for the event
- Open directions
- Download the app
- Message our support team
- Pay securely
- View product instructions
Send people to a mobile-optimized website where they can easily get what you promised to provide. Don’t send them to a generic homepage where they have to search through several menus to find what they need.
In case you’re running a long-term campaign, choose a fixed page on your website rather than sending people to some temporary file-sharing service or deleting user accounts.
Practical Uses for Businesses and Organizations
Business Card and Networking
Embed the vCard onto the physical business cards, conference badges, presentations, resumes, or email signatures. People no longer need to type out your name, phone number, website address, and email address by hand.
Restaurant and Hospitality Industry
Promote menu items, reservation links, guest Wi-Fi access pages, feedback forms, hotel information, directions, or concierge contact information. The restaurant and hospitality industries typically have limited visibility, making it very important to have high contrast.
Retail and Product Packaging
Link consumers to product setup information, demonstration videos, warranty documents, spare parts, product information, loyalty programs, or support information. A printed code can hold a vast amount of information that would not fit onto product packaging.
Marketing and Advertising
Print the code on a flyer, poster, catalog, mailer, brochure, window advertisement, event advertisement, or vehicle advertisement. The code should match the visual design of the campaign, but ensure that there is ample space around the edges of the code.
Reviews and Ratings
Place a Google Review QR code on your checkout desk, reception desk, clinic, salon, restaurant, or area where the service has been completed. Timing your request in a particular way will make it much easier for your pleased clients to provide you with some honest feedback.
Events and Education
Post-registration links, schedules, venue maps, Zoom calls, event calendars, course material, surveys, certificates, and presentation materials. A text-based code can also provide short instructions when no internet connection is available.
Offices and Shared Resources
Use codes for your guest Wi-Fi, instructions for any equipment, visitor information, meeting room information, internal forms, safety instructions, or contacts of your staff members. They are especially helpful when the same instructions should be repeatedly printed.
Content Creators and Social Media Profiles
Redirect your followers to your Instagram, Facebook, X.com, Telegram channel, online shop, portfolio, newsletter, media resource, or app listing. Add a logo and your brand colors to make it look like an integral part of your content.
QR Code Security for Both Creators and Scanners
The code generator produces the code based on the data that you have provided, but it will not verify whether the destination is safe or not. Ensure that all URLs are safe, use HTTPS protocols, refrain from inserting personal data in the QR image, and specify the business or organization behind it.
People should also be aware of the destination that is being revealed through the device before opening any link. There may be some fake codes that will take the user to some phishing or cloned website or even download malware on their device if a sticker has been added to a legitimate sign.
In order to use it for payments or cryptocurrency, show the name of the expected business, the wallet address, the sum of money, or the reason for the transaction near the QR code image.
Reasons to Use Codlico’s Custom QR Code Maker
Everyone in search of a free online maker looks for similar qualities, which are simplicity of integration, customization options, reliable scanning ability, and actual downloading possibility. All of those qualities come together in Codlico’s maker without obliging the user to fit them into a marketing campaign dashboard.
Codlico’s main features are:
- 21 content types instead of URL-only generation
- The absence of an account for a normal workflow
- Live updating while filling in the information and customizing the design
- One-color, linear gradient, and radial gradient fills
- Independent colors of foreground, background, eye-frame, and eye-pupil
- Different dot and corner designs
- Upload of a logo with size adjustment
- Help regarding contrast and scannability
- Print color warning
- Three levels of resolution
- Four formats to download (PNG, JPG, WebP, and SVG)
- Clear static code capability
All those qualities make it easy to use for small businesses, marketers, educators, designers, event managers, creators, and personal projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a QR code generator?
A QR code generator is a web-based tool helping users to convert various types of data into a scannable code, data including a URL, text message, WiFi network, vCard, geo coordinates, or payment page into a two-dimensional image readable by any device equipped with the corresponding application.
Is the QR code generator free?
Yes, you can generate, customize, see the preview, and download his/her QR code design via the functions provided by the software without extra payment for a normal process flow.
Is registration/log-in required?
No, you can pick up a content type directly, enter necessary data, customize its look, see the preview, and download the file without registration.
How to make a custom QR code?
One should choose the content type, enter necessary data, select colors and shapes, add a logo if desired, see the live preview, select the resolution, and download the file.
Is there an option to add a company logo?
Sure, just click on the “Logo & branding” tab, upload your logo image, activate the logo function, and set the size. It should not be too big so that it will occupy too much area of the scannable pattern.
Is there an expiration date for the created QR codes?
No, there is no expiration date for the static image itself. However, if your code links to some web resource or file, it will work until this destination exists.
What is the difference between a static and dynamic QR code?
The main difference is that static code contains embedded data that cannot be changed. Dynamic code usually uses a redirect management service, which allows the changing of the destination link. This tool creates static codes.
Is it possible to customize colors and shapes?
Yes, you have an ability to use one color, a linear gradient, or a radial gradient. You may also set the background, frame of the eyes, pupils, dots, and shapes of corners.
Is it possible to create a Wi-Fi QR code?
Yes, you just need to input the name of the network, security type, password, and option of the hidden network, and compatible phones will be able to use this information to connect.
Is it possible to generate a vCard code for a business card?
Yes, you can generate a QR code with names, phone numbers, email, websites, organizations, positions, and address information. Perfect option for business cards, badges, resumes, networking, etc.
Is it possible to generate codes for the PDF or image?
Yes, as far as you have a public link. You should upload your file to any website or another file hosting service, copy this link, and put it into the URL field.
Is it possible to develop codes for social media and Google Reviews?
Yes, there are special codes for X.com, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Google Reviews.
What format of downloading should I select?
PNG is the right choice for most website and printing needs, JPG for general compatibility, WebP for advanced websites, and SVG for scalability purposes.
Why does my custom code not scan?
The entered details should be checked: contrast increased, light-colored background chosen, logo resized, surrounding space maintained, no stretching of the image used, and higher resolution downloaded.
Is it possible to use downloaded codes commercially?
Yes, they are allowed to be used in commercial projects. You should make sure that you have a right to use a logo, photo, trademark, or other branding element that you have inserted into the design.
