A free QR code generator that stays free
Plenty of sites say "free QR code generator". Far fewer mean it the way you do: a code you download once, print as often as you like, and never hear about again. Here is what to look for, and how to test a generator before you trust it with your print run.
What "free" should mean
No account and no email before you can download. No trial period. No watermark. No limit on how many codes you make or how many times they are scanned. And, above all, a static code: one that contains your destination directly, so that nothing the generator does later can affect it.
Test any generator in one minute
Download the code, open your phone camera, and point it at the file on your screen. Before you tap, read the address in the preview. If you see exactly what you typed, the code is static and truly yours. If you see a short address on the generator's own domain, the code depends on them, whatever the page says about "free".
Which file to download
For print, choose SVG or PDF. Both are vector formats: the squares stay perfectly sharp at any size, from a business card to a banner, and printers and design tools handle them well. Choose PNG for screens, presentations, email signatures and word-processor documents. Download it large and let it be scaled down rather than up.
Making one on qrkeep
Pick what the code should contain: a link, a phone number, Wi-Fi, a contact card or plain text. Type it in and the code appears as you type, generated on your own device. The page shows exactly what the code contains, so you can check it is your destination. Download SVG, PDF or PNG, then go through the printing checklist on the same page: contrast, white border, and a minimum size worked out for your code and your scanning distance.
Frequently asked questions
Is qrkeep really free?
Static codes are free with no account, no limits and no expiry. qrkeep also sells dynamic codes for people who need to change a destination later, as a single one-time payment per code; the static generator never requires one.
Does qrkeep see what I put in my QR code?
No. Static codes are generated in your browser, and what you type is not sent to a server.
Can I use the codes commercially?
Yes. The code is yours, with no watermark and no attribution required, on anything you print or publish.
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