What is a QR code?
A QR code (Quick Response code) is a two-dimensional barcode that encodes data as a pattern of black and white squares. Any smartphone camera can decode them instantly without a separate app. QR codes most commonly encode URLs so a phone camera becomes a tap-to-open link, but they can also contain plain text, contact details (vCard), Wi-Fi credentials, and more.
How to create a QR code for a link
Paste any URL into the generator above and click Generate. The QR code appears immediately — download it as an SVG for print or use directly on screen. SVG scales to any size without quality loss, making it suitable for everything from business cards to billboards. Sign in for a managed QR link: a pflo.at/… short URL that you can point to a new destination at any time without reprinting the code.
Static vs. managed (dynamic) QR codes
A static QR code encodes the destination URL directly in the pattern. Changing the destination requires generating and reprinting a new code. A managed QR code (also called a dynamic QR code) encodes a short redirect URL — you update the destination in your account and all existing prints automatically point to the new target. Pingfloat's managed QR links (pflo.at/…) never expire and include click tracking.
QR code error correction
QR codes include built-in error correction that allows them to scan correctly even when partially damaged, dirty, or obscured. The four levels are L (7% recovery), M (15%), Q (25%), and H (30%). Higher correction reduces capacity but makes the code more resilient to wear — useful for stickers, printed packaging, and outdoor signage.
Optimal QR code size for printing
The minimum printed size for reliable scanning is approximately 2 × 2 cm (about 0.8 × 0.8 inches). Larger codes with more encoded data require proportionally larger print sizes. Test scanning under the intended lighting conditions — especially if printing on dark backgrounds or with a logo overlay — before committing to a large print run.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a QR code for a link?
Paste the URL into the input above and click Generate. The QR code is ready to download as an SVG immediately. For a managed QR code that lets you change the destination later, sign in with a free account and create a QR link — you get a short pflo.at/… URL that you can redirect to any destination at any time.
Are these QR codes free? Do they expire?
Yes, generating a QR code is completely free and requires no account. Static QR codes generated here have no expiration — the pattern is just data, so it remains valid as long as the destination URL is alive. Managed QR links (pflo.at/…) also don't expire; they stay active as long as your account is active.
What is the difference between a static and dynamic QR code?
A static QR code bakes the destination URL directly into the pattern. To change it, you must generate and reprint a new code. A dynamic (managed) QR code points to a short redirect URL — you update the destination in your account dashboard and all existing printed codes automatically follow. Dynamic codes also enable click tracking so you can see how often the code is scanned.
What can a QR code contain besides a URL?
QR codes can encode any text: plain strings, email addresses (mailto: links), phone numbers (tel: links), SMS (smsto:), Wi-Fi credentials (WIFI:T:WPA;S:network;P:password;;), vCard contact details, and calendar events. The generator above supports any text input.
How do I scan a QR code?
Open your phone camera app and point it at the QR code — most modern iOS and Android cameras decode QR codes automatically and show a tap-to-open banner. If yours doesn't, try Google Lens or any dedicated QR scanner app. On desktop, take a screenshot and use Google Lens or an online QR decoder.