How to make a QR code that looks good and still scans
A QR code generator turns a link, contact card, or WiFi login into a square barcode your phone camera can read. This one is a custom QR code generator, so on top of the link you can set the colors, round the dots, drop in a center logo, and add a SCAN ME frame. You can make one code or, in bulk mode, up to 100 at once. Everything runs in your browser, and the codes are static, so they never expire.
Make a custom QR code in four steps
- Pick a content type and enter your link or details. The preview shows up right away.
- Set the colors and dot style, and upload a logo if you want a branded code.
- Add a frame if you need a call to action like SCAN ME or ORDER HERE.
- Download the PNG. For a whole set, open bulk mode and import a CSV.
Will a styled QR code still scan?
Usually, yes. Rounded dots and custom colors don't break a QR code on their own. Two things actually matter: contrast and error correction. Keep the dots clearly darker than the background, and raise the error correction level when you add a logo or use a busy pattern.
Error correction is the redundancy built into every QR code. At the High level, a reader can still decode the code with about 30% of it covered, which is what lets a center logo work. This tool moves the level up to Quartile automatically when you add a logo, but you can push it to High by hand for outdoor signs or anything that might get scuffed. The one habit worth keeping: scan the finished code with your own phone before you print a thousand of them.
Picking colors that read quickly
Phones read dark-on-light faster than light-on-dark, so dark dots on a white or light background is the safe default. If you want brand colors, keep the contrast ratio at roughly 4 to 1 or higher. A gradient is fine as long as the lightest part of the gradient still stands out against the background. Avoid red dots on a black background and pale dots on white, which are the two combinations that trip up older cameras.
How big to print a QR code
The further away people scan from, the bigger the code needs to be. A rule signage designers use: print the code at least one tenth as wide as the scanning distance.
| Scan distance | Minimum size | Where it shows up |
|---|---|---|
| 10 in / 25 cm | 1 in / 2.5 cm | Business cards, table tents |
| 3 ft / 1 m | 3.5 in / 9 cm | Posters, menus |
| 10 ft / 3 m | 12 in / 30 cm | Storefronts, wall signs |
| 30 ft / 10 m | 40 in / 100 cm | Trade-show backdrops |
Static codes, so nothing expires
This generator makes static QR codes. The link sits inside the image itself, with no redirect server in the middle. That means the code keeps working as long as the destination URL is live, it works offline, and nobody is logging the scans. Dynamic codes let you change the destination later, but they depend on a third-party redirect that can go down or start charging. For badges, menus, signs, and asset tags, static is the simpler bet.
Making a batch with bulk mode
When each code points somewhere different, do them together. Open bulk mode, then either fill the form or upload a CSV with a Name column and a URL column. The Name becomes each file's name, the URL becomes the code, and whatever style and frame you set up top gets applied to all of them. Here's a CSV that works:
Name,URL
Reception,https://example.com/reception
Booth-101,https://example.com/booth/101
Menu-Lunch,https://example.com/menu/lunchA few jobs people use bulk mode for:
| Use case | Why each code differs |
|---|---|
| Event badges | Each attendee gets their own link. |
| Table-side menus | Each table opens its own order page. |
| Asset tags | Each item links to its record. |
| Campaign placements | Each spot uses a different tracking URL. |
| Property signs | Each yard sign points to its listing. |
Where does my data go?
Nowhere. The page parses your CSV, draws every code on a canvas, and zips the result in your browser. Your links, contacts, and logo never reach a server, so it's safe for internal URLs, onboarding links, and ticket tokens you'd rather not hand to a third party.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a QR code with my logo?
Enter your link, upload your logo, and it lands in the center of the preview. Keep error correction at Quartile or High so the logo doesn't block the scan. This tool bumps the level for you when a logo is added.
Are rounded or colored QR codes still scannable?
Yes, as long as the dots stay clearly darker than the background and error correction is high enough. Scan-test the finished code before printing.
Do these QR codes expire?
No. They're static, so the link is part of the image. There's nothing to expire and no redirect to break.
What format do they download in?
Single codes download as a PNG. Bulk batches download as a ZIP of PNGs, one file per row.
Is it free?
Yes, with no signup and no watermark.
Quick reference
- Content types: URL, vCard, WiFi, Event, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Wikipedia
- Styling: colors, gradient, dot style, corner style, center logo
- Frames: none, rounded border, SCAN ME caption, pointer caption
- Error correction: L, M, Q, H (auto-raised for logos)
- Bulk: up to 100 per batch from CSV or form, ZIP of PNGs
- Codes are static, free, and generated in your browser