How to use the QR Code Generator
- Choose the type of QR code you want: Link / Text, Wi-Fi, Contact, Email or Phone.
- Enter your content. The QR code updates live on the right as you type. Point your phone camera at it to test it right away.
- If you like, change the colors, image size or error correction level. For anything you plan to print, 1024px is recommended.
- Click Save PNG for a regular image file, or Save SVG for print designs where the code needs to scale to any size without losing sharpness.
Do free QR codes expire?
A QR code is simply a picture: your content (a link, some text and so on) turned directly into a pattern of dark and light squares. QR codes made on Tooljip are "static QR codes," meaning the content is stored inside the image itself. They have no expiration date and will keep scanning even if Tooljip disappears.
Some paid services create "dynamic QR codes" instead. They put a short redirect address into the code, and that address forwards people to your real link. This lets you change the destination later or count scans, but if your subscription ends, the QR code may stop working. For printed items you'll use for a long time, like flyers and business cards, a static QR code is the safer choice. Just remember that you can't change the link inside a static QR code later, so always scan it to check before you print.
How to make a Wi-Fi QR code
Put a Wi-Fi QR code up in your café, office or home and guests can join without you reading out the password. iPhones (iOS 11 and later) and most Android phones show a "Join network" prompt just by pointing the built-in camera at the code.
- Select Wi-Fi as the type.
- Enter the network name (SSID) and password exactly as shown on your router, including upper- and lowercase letters.
- Most networks use WPA/WPA2/WPA3 security. For an open network with no password, choose "None."
A Wi-Fi QR code contains your password in plain form, so anywhere the public can see it, it's best to post only the code for a guest network. If you need a new password, try the Password Generator, which can leave out easily confused characters.
Error correction levels and print size
| Level | Damage it can recover from | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| L | About 7% | Codes shown on screens, very long content |
| M | About 15% | General printed materials (default) |
| Q | About 25% | Outdoor posters, stickers that may get scratched |
| H | About 30% | Designs with a logo covering the center |
Higher correction levels add more modules (dots), so the pattern gets denser at the same size. A common rule of thumb is to print codes at least 2 cm (about 0.8 in) on each side, and for posters scanned from a distance, make the code roughly one tenth of the scanning distance. When changing colors, keep the QR color clearly darker than the background so it scans reliably. Some apps can't read inverted codes (a light code on a dark background).
Which QR code type should I use?
- Link / Text: websites, online menus, review pages, social media profiles, or any plain text message.
- Wi-Fi: lets guests join your network without typing the password.
- Contact: saves your name, phone number, email, company and website to someone's address book in one scan, which is handy on business cards.
- Email: opens a new email to the recipient, with an optional subject and message already filled in.
- Phone: opens the phone's dialer with your number ready to call. Including the country code (for example, +1 or +44) helps people calling from abroad.