How to Create a QR Code
Create a QR code for a link, Wi-Fi network, contact, message, PDF, or text. Learn how to choose a type, customize it, test it, and download it.
A good QR code starts with the correct content type. It must also have enough contrast, clear space around its edges, and a destination that works on a phone.
QR Anvil can create a URL QR code without a sign-in. A sign-in is required for the other content types and for SVG or PDF downloads.
Create your QR code
- 1
Select the content type
Select URL, Wi-Fi, vCard, Email, SMS, WhatsApp, PDF, or Plain Text. Use URL for a normal web link.
- 2
Enter the content
Complete the required fields. Check spelling, phone numbers, network names, and links before you continue.
- 3
Choose Direct or Tracked mode
Use Direct mode when you want the final content in the code. Use Tracked mode for supported links when you need scan counts or an editable destination.
- 4
Customize the design
Select colors and shapes. You can also add a PNG, JPG, or WebP logo to the center. Keep strong contrast between the dark code and its light background.
- 5
Test and download
Scan the preview with more than one device. Then download PNG, or sign in to download SVG or PDF.
Select the correct QR code type
- URL opens a website or online file.
- Wi-Fi gives a compatible device the network connection details.
- vCard gives a person contact details that they can save.
- Email, SMS, and WhatsApp prepare a message or chat.
- PDF opens a PDF file through its public web address.
- Plain Text shows a short note without a website.
Make the code easy to scan
Use a dark foreground on a light background. Do not put important graphics in the clear border around the code. A complex design, low contrast, or a small printed code can prevent a scan.
Test the code at the same size and on the same material that people will use. Test it in normal light and from the expected scan distance. A successful preview scan does not always prove that a small printed copy will work.
Check the destination before you publish
- Open every link on a phone and on a computer.
- Make sure the page does not require access that your audience does not have.
- Check that a PDF has a public HTTPS address. QR Anvil does not upload the PDF file.
- For Direct codes, create a new code when the saved content changes.
- For Tracked codes, sign in to the dashboard to change the destination URL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a QR code for free?
Yes. QR Anvil creates QR codes without a watermark. You can create a URL QR code and download PNG without a sign-in. Other content types and download formats require a sign-in.
Can I change a QR code after I print it?
You cannot change content stored in a Direct QR code. For a supported Tracked QR code, you can change the destination URL in the QR Anvil dashboard without changing the printed pattern.
What color is best for a QR code?
A dark foreground on a plain light background gives reliable contrast. Test every customized code before you publish it.