HandyQRCodeA QR code is a pattern that stores data a phone camera can read. What happens after the scan depends on the format of that data. Below is one real example of each common type: scan it with your phone camera, or read the content printed under it. Every code is generated in your browser by the same engine as our generator.
https://example.com/Make a link QR code →WIFI:T:WPA;S:Example Guest;P:welcome-2027;;Make a Wi-Fi QR code →BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:3.0
N:Example;Alex;;;
FN:Alex Example
ORG:Example Ltd
TEL;TYPE=CELL:+1 202 555 0143
EMAIL:alex@example.com
URL:https://example.com/
END:VCARDMake a contact QR code →mailto:hello@example.com?subject=Hello%20from%20a%20QR%20codeMake an email QR code →SMSTO:+12025550143:Hello!Make an SMS QR code →tel:+12025550143Make a phone QR code →https://wa.me/12025550143?text=Hi!Make a WhatsApp QR code →https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Eiffel%20Tower%2C%20ParisMake a location QR code →BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Example workshop
DTSTART:20270115T180000
DTEND:20270115T200000
LOCATION:Example Hall
END:VEVENTMake an event QR code →Hello! This is a sample QR code with plain text.Make a text QR code →How to read these examples
- The code is a working QR code at error correction level M with a 4-module white margin (the quiet zone), the same settings the generator uses by default.
- The size line shows the QR version and how many modules (small squares) wide the code is. Short content gives version 2 (25 × 25 modules); the contact card needs version 9 (53 × 53).
- The text in the grey box is exactly what the code contains. Phones recognise the start of it:
https://,WIFI:,BEGIN:VCARD,mailto:,SMSTO:,tel:orBEGIN:VEVENT.
Which example fits your use?
- Menus, flyers, posters, packaging: a website link. Point it to a page you control, so you can update the content without reprinting.
- Cafés, offices, holiday rentals: the Wi-Fi code, so guests join without typing the password.
- Business cards and name badges: the contact card. Keep it to name, phone, email and website for a smaller code.
- Support stickers, sign-ups, bookings: email, SMS, phone or WhatsApp, with the message already written.
- Invitations and event posters: the map location and the calendar event.
- Labels and asset tags: plain text, such as a serial number. For many labels at once use the bulk QR code generator.
- Reviews: a Google review QR code is a website link to your review form.
Content changes how dense the code is
Compare the website example with the contact card. Both scan easily on a screen, but the contact card packs about eight times as much text into the pattern, so its modules are much smaller at the same printed size. That is why a vCard code on a business card needs to be printed bigger than a short link, and why short links on your own domain are usually easier to scan. The QR code size guide has the numbers.
Make your own
- Click the “make” link under the example you need.
- Replace the example details with yours. The code updates as you type.
- Download it as PNG or SVG and test-scan a printed copy before printing many.
All codes are free and static, with no sign-up and no expiry date; see QR codes that never expire. For ideas on where to use them, read 50 QR code ideas.