How do you create a free QR code online?

Explanation

A QR code lets someone open information quickly with a phone camera. Most QR codes open a web page, but they can also show Wi-Fi details, contact details, a WhatsApp message, SMS, email or simple text.

Simple steps

1. Choose what your QR code should do: open a link, share Wi-Fi access, show contact details, prepare a message or display text.
2. Enter the requested information.
3. Change the look if needed: color, background, style, logo or emoji.
4. Create the QR code.
5. Download the image, preferably as a PNG.
6. Scan it with your phone to check that the result is correct.

Which QR code should you choose?

To send someone to a website, Google listing, product page or form, choose a link QR code. For a restaurant, rental or office, a Wi-Fi QR code is more practical: the person scans it and connects without typing the password. For a business card, choose contact details so they can be added directly to the phone.

Customization: yes, but keep it easy to scan

You can add colors, a logo or a “scan me” frame. This is useful for a brand, flyer, poster or business card. But keep strong contrast between the QR code and the background. A pretty QR code that cannot be scanned is useless.

Before printing or sharing it

Test the QR code on several phones, with normal brightness and at the expected distance. Also check that the link is correct, that the text has no mistake and that the QR code stays large enough once printed.

Concrete example

Example: creating a QR code that opens your website.

1. Choose the Link or URL type.
2. Paste the page address, for example https://outilo.fr.
3. Optionally add a color or logo.
4. Download the QR code as a PNG.
5. Scan it with your phone to check that it opens the correct page.

For a poster or business card, use a sharp image and make it large enough. For simple online sharing, a standard PNG is often enough.