How to make a QR code
- Choose what the code should contain: a link, text, Wi-Fi details, an email, a phone number, a text message or a contact card.
- Fill in the details. The preview updates as you type.
- Optionally change the error correction level and colours under Style and quality.
- Download a PNG for screens and documents, or an SVG for print and design tools.
Always test the code with your phone’s camera before printing it.
What each type does when scanned
| Type | On a phone, scanning it… |
|---|---|
| Link | opens the web page |
| Wi-Fi | offers to join the network without typing the password |
| opens a new email with the address, subject and message filled in | |
| Phone | offers to call the number |
| SMS | opens a new text message to the number |
| Contact | offers to save the contact card (vCard) |
| Text | shows the text |
Colours
Scanners need dark modules on a light background with strong contrast. You will see a warning if your colours are too similar, if the code is lighter than its background (many apps cannot read inverted codes), or if a colour is transparent.
Limitations
- A QR code can hold up to about 2,900 bytes at level L, and less at higher levels. Long text makes dense codes that are harder to scan, so keep links short.
- Logos and custom module shapes are not supported.
- This tool creates codes; it does not scan them.
QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE. Codes are generated with the open-sourceuqr library.
Frequently asked questions
Do these QR codes expire?
No. They are static codes: the link or text is stored in the pattern itself, so they work for as long as the printed code is readable. Many “free” QR services create dynamic codes instead, which point to a redirect on their own server. Those can track every scan, show adverts, and stop working when a free trial ends. NiftyKit never does this.
Which error correction level should I choose?
Error correction lets a code scan even when part of it is dirty, damaged or covered. M (15%) is a good default. Use H (30%) for codes printed on things that get scuffed, or if you plan to put a small logo over the middle. Higher levels make the pattern denser, so for long links on small labels, L may scan more easily.
How big should I print a QR code?
A common rule is that the code should be at least one tenth of the scanning distance: about 2 cm across for a code read from 20 cm away, such as on a business card, and 30 cm across for a poster read from 3 metres. Keep the white border (quiet zone) around it, and use SVG for print so it stays sharp at any size.
Is my Wi-Fi password safe?
The code is generated in your browser and nothing is sent to NiftyKit. Keep in mind that anyone who scans the printed code can join your network, so only display it where you would share the password anyway.