Generate QR code

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Updated – February 21, 2024

Generating a QR code is interesting for anyone who, for example, wants to share a link on a website. However, a QR code can also contain other information.

There are options to generate QR codes online, but also offline. The latter is the more recommended method, as no data falls into other people's hands and you remain the master of your own data, and no registration, etc. is necessary to use online services.

A suitable program should therefore always be installed locally in order to be able to generate QR codes safely and without the involvement of third parties.

Basics

Error correction

QR codes not only contain user-specific information, but also error correction mechanisms in different levels (7 .. 30%). This means that up to 30% of the code image may be illegible, scratched or otherwise obscured, but the information will still remain completely readable.
That's why you should always choose the highest correction level.

Image formats

Different image formats cover a wide range of applications. Which format is to be preferred depends, among other things, on the desired amount of data or possible scalability. Pixel formats range from 1, 4, 8 or 24 bits/pixel. The 4-bit format is sufficient for most applications.

If you would like to find out more about image formats, please read this section to the end. If you only want to generate QR codes, scroll further down to load the program, depending on your operating system.

For the sake of completeness and because QR codes can also be created in color, the different formats are described in more detail here:

GIF

GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) – displays up to 256 colors with 8-bit RGB color depth and offers lossless compression.

BMP

BMP (BitMaP) – supports 256-bit RGB and displays over 16 million colors without compression. Larger images have a high data volume, which is why the BMP format is only used for small graphics, symbols, etc.

JPG/JPEG

JPG/JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) – is the most commonly used format in the graphics sector, represents over 16 million colors. Thanks to 0 .. 100 % scalable compression, quality and file size can be controlled.

PNG

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) – displays 256 colors in PNG-8 format, corresponding to 8-bit RGB color depth, but over 16 million colors in PNG-24 format, corresponding to 256-bit RGB color depth. The compression is lossless, but delivers larger files than the GIF format, but combines the advantages of the JPG/JPEG and GIF formats.

SVG

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) – supports 256-bit RGB and displays over 16 million colors without compression, enables lossless scaling and offers various functions that are advantageous in the graphics area, such as shadowing, etc.

... under MS Windows

If you are looking for an easy-to-use QR generator and don't want to make any special Java installations, you can use the free one Easy QR Code Generator well served by fmcoders. He's standing here available for download.

The function of the QR code generator is described in more detail on the website below. It supports all formats mentioned above except SVG.

... under Mac OS

There are several programs, a very slim, but still configurable, free program in the most important parameters KUAR from Igor Savelev, which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store. The program supports all formats listed above.

QR codes to be used on websites, printouts, etc. should be used in PNG format; SVG format is preferred for large-format prints such as banners, posters, etc.

An example of most QR code generators is the handling of KUAR explains:

1. In the right area under “Enter text belowFor example, the link to be generated as a QR code is entered
2. To the left of it, the code graphic immediately appears, which can be dragged into any application (drag & drop).
3. The size can be adjusted using the buttons S, M and L vary.
4. Whether the black graphic sblack on white, white on black, black on transparent or white on transparent Reason is displayed can be adjusted using the middle row of buttons.
5. The error correction is increasingly defined from left to right using the buttons below
   (L = low, H = highest error correction)
6. This can be done above the link entered Image format set the graphic in the Cache copied, on hard disk secured or deleted become.