Free QR Code Generator: Create Custom QR Codes in 2025

Need a QR code? You can create one in under 30 seconds. No account required, no watermarks, no hidden fees. Here is everything you need to know about generating professional QR codes for free.

Why Use a QR Code Generator?

QR codes bridge the physical and digital worlds. A simple scan connects customers to your website, menu, contact details, or Wi-Fi network. They work on any smartphone camera, require no app installation, and never expire (if you choose a static code).

The challenge is finding a generator that is genuinely free, respects your privacy, and produces professional results. Most "free" tools plaster watermarks on your codes or require email sign-up before downloading. LinkScan does neither.

How to Create a QR Code (Step by Step)

Choose Your Content Type

Select what you want to encode: URL, text, email, phone number, SMS, Wi-Fi credentials, or vCard contact information.

Enter Your Data

Type or paste your content. For URLs, include the full address (e.g., https://example.com). The QR code generates automatically as you type.

Customise the Design

Switch to the Design tab to change colours, add a logo, or select different dot and corner styles. Your brand colours make the code recognisable.

Download Your Code

Hit download. Choose PNG for general use or SVG for print materials that need to scale without losing quality.

Ready to Create?

Skip the reading and jump straight in. The generator is on the homepage.

Create QR Code

Customisation Options

A plain black-and-white QR code works, but it does not stand out. LinkScan offers full customisation to match your brand identity:

Colours

Set custom foreground and background colours. Pro tip: maintain high contrast for reliable scanning. Dark on light works best.

Logo Upload

Add your logo to the centre of the code. The error correction automatically adjusts to ensure the code remains scannable.

You can also choose from multiple dot styles (squares, rounded, dots) and corner patterns. Each combination creates a distinct visual identity whilst maintaining full scannability.

Static vs Dynamic: Which Should You Choose?

This is the most important decision when creating a QR code.

Static codes encode the destination URL directly into the pattern. They work forever, require no internet connection to resolve, and are completely private. The downside? Once printed, you cannot change where they point.

Dynamic codes encode a short redirect URL. This lets you edit the destination after printing, track scan analytics (location, device, time), and run A/B tests. They require an account and depend on our servers to redirect.

Use Static When:

Sharing Wi-Fi passwords
Personal contact cards
Links that will never change
Privacy-sensitive applications

Use Dynamic When:

Marketing campaigns
Print materials (flyers, posters)
URLs that might change
When you need scan analytics

Best Practices for Print

If your QR code is going on physical materials, follow these guidelines:

Minimum size: 2cm x 2cm for close-range scanning (business cards, leaflets). Larger for posters or signage viewed from a distance.
Quiet zone: Leave white space around the code equal to at least 4 modules (the small squares). Most generators handle this automatically.
Contrast: Dark foreground on light background. Avoid low-contrast colour combinations like yellow on white.
Test before printing: Always scan your code with multiple devices before committing to a print run.
Use SVG for print: Vector formats scale infinitely without pixelation. PNG is fine for screens.

Why LinkScan?

There are dozens of QR code generators online. Here is why we built another one:

No sign-up required: Generate and download static codes without creating an account.
No watermarks: Your codes are yours. No branding, no attribution required.
Privacy-first: Static codes are generated entirely in your browser. We never see your data.
Modern design tools: Full customisation with real-time preview.
Free forever: Static codes with full customisation will always be free.

Conclusion

Creating a QR code should take seconds, not minutes. It should not require an account, a credit card, or navigating through upsell pages. LinkScan is built for speed and simplicity. Enter your content, customise if you want to, and download. That is it.

For most personal and small business uses, a static code is all you need. If you are running marketing campaigns and need analytics, our dynamic codes unlock tracking without compromising user privacy.