How to Generate QR Codes and Barcodes Online Free
QR codes are everywhere now. On restaurant tables instead of paper menus. On business cards instead of typed-out contact details. On warehouse boxes, parking signs, package labels, museum exhibits, vaccine cards, wedding invitations, even on tombstones linking to memorial websites. And the barcode, the older cousin, still runs the retail and logistics economy: 13 digits printed under a few black lines on every product in every supermarket, every book, every shipping carton.
iHatePDF QR & Barcode Generator creates both, in one browser tool, free. Turn any link or text into a QR code, including Wi-Fi and contact details written in the standard formats. Generate 11 barcode formats (Code 128, Code 39, EAN-13, EAN-8, EAN-5, UPC-A, ISBN, ITF-14, Codabar, MSI Plessey and Pharmacode) for retail, books, logistics or inventory. Customise colours and style, add a logo, choose small, medium or large, and download as JPG or as a print-ready PDF page. Everything runs locally in your browser, even offline, so your data never leaves the device.
- Open QR & Barcode and pick QR or Barcode at the top
- Enter the data: URL, text, Wi-Fi credentials, vCard, or the barcode number
- For barcodes, pick the format (Code 128, EAN-13, ISBN, etc.)
- Customise the style (square, rounded or dots for QR), colours and size
- Download as JPG or PDF, ready to print, share, or embed
How to generate QR codes and barcodes online for free
- Choose QR code or Barcode at the top of the tool, depending on what you need.
- For QR: enter the URL or text you want to encode, a website, contact card, Wi-Fi credentials, or any custom data.
- For barcode: pick the type (Code 128, Code 39, EAN-13, EAN-8, ISBN, ITF-14, MSI Plessey, and more), then enter the data.
- Customise the look: style (square, rounded or dots for QR), colours, size, and bar width and height for barcodes.
- Download your finished code as JPG or PDF, ready to print, share, or embed anywhere.
Why use this generator
- QR and barcode in one tool. Switch between QR codes and 11 barcode types with one click, in the same tool.
- Privacy-first. Generation runs in your browser, not on a server. The link, Wi-Fi password, contact data or any other input never leaves your device, and the tool even works offline.
- No watermark, no signup, no trial. The generated code is the actual product, not a sample. No "Pro" version to remove the logo. No 7-day trial requiring credit card. No email gate.
- Logo support, free. Add your own logo in the middle of a QR code and crop it into place; error correction is raised automatically so it still scans.
- PDF export. Download a JPG for screens, or a PDF with the code centred on an A4 page, ready to print.
- Wide barcode support. Code 128, Code 39, EAN-13, EAN-8, EAN-5, UPC-A, ISBN, ITF-14, Codabar, MSI Plessey and Pharmacode in one tool.
What you can encode in a QR code
| Type | What it does when scanned |
|---|---|
| URL | Opens the web link in the phone's browser |
| Plain text | Displays the text content |
| Opens the mail app pre-filled with recipient, subject, body | |
| Phone number | Opens the dialer with the number ready to call |
| SMS | Opens the SMS app pre-filled with number and message |
| vCard contact | Offers to save name, phone, email, address as a new contact |
| Wi-Fi credentials | Connects to the Wi-Fi network with one tap, no manual password |
| Geolocation | Opens map app to the specific coordinates |
| Calendar event | Offers to add the event to the calendar |
| App store link | Opens the App Store or Play Store to the specific app |
| UPI / payment link | Opens payment app (PhonePe, GPay, PayPal) for a transaction |
| Custom string | Anything not covered above, treated as text |
Barcode types and when to use which
| Format | Data | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Code 128 | Alphanumeric, any length | Modern general-purpose. Logistics, asset tagging, shipping labels. |
| Code 39 | Alphanumeric (A-Z, 0-9, limited symbols) | Older standard. Defense, automotive, healthcare. |
| EAN-13 | 13 digits | Retail products sold worldwide. The barcode on every supermarket item. |
| EAN-8 | 8 digits | Compressed EAN for very small items where 13-digit will not fit. |
| UPC-A | 12 digits | North American retail. The US/Canada equivalent of EAN-13. |
| ISBN | 13 digits (starts 978 or 979) | Books. Technically a specialised EAN-13 with the 978/979 prefix. |
| ITF-14 | 14 digits | Shipping cartons containing retail products. Used by warehouses and distributors. |
| MSI Plessey | Numeric only | Inventory and warehouse management. Internal SKUs, asset tracking. |
QR code use cases
- Restaurant menus. One QR code on the table linking to the digital menu. Update prices and items without reprinting.
- Business cards. vCard QR on the back. One scan adds your full contact details to the recipient's phone.
- Wi-Fi sharing. Print the QR and stick it on the wall. Guests connect with one scan, no manual password typing.
- Event tickets. Unique QR per ticket, scanned at entry for instant validation.
- Marketing posters. Scan to visit campaign landing page. Trackable per-poster if each uses a unique short URL.
- Product packaging. Scan for product info, instructions, warranty registration, support contact.
- Real estate signs. Drive past a "For Sale" sign, scan, see the listing on your phone.
- Restaurant payment. Scan to pay via UPI, PhonePe, GPay, PayPal QR.
- App downloads. Single QR works on both iOS and Android by linking to a smart redirect URL.
- Document verification. Scan QR on a printed certificate or contract to verify authenticity.
- Wedding invitations. Scan for venue map, RSVP, gift registry, or live stream link.
Barcode use cases
- Retail POS scanning. EAN-13 or UPC-A on product packaging for checkout scanning.
- Inventory tracking. Code 128 or MSI Plessey on internal SKU labels for warehouse management.
- Library books. ISBN barcodes for cataloguing and check-out systems.
- Shipping cartons. ITF-14 on the outside of cartons containing retail products.
- Asset tags. Code 128 on equipment, IT assets, furniture, fleet vehicles.
- Event admission. Code 128 or Code 39 on printed tickets for scan-and-admit gates.
- ID badges. Code 128 on employee badges for door access logs.
- Membership cards. Code 128 or Code 39 on gym, library, loyalty cards.
Customisation: colours, logos, sizes
QR codes accept significant visual customisation while remaining scannable, thanks to built-in error correction. The tool exposes the controls that matter:
- Dot style. Square (the classic look), rounded or dots. All of them scan the same way.
- Foreground colour. The dots. Default black. Any colour works as long as it is darker than the background.
- Background colour. The squares between dots. Default white. Can be any light colour.
- Centre logo. Upload a logo image (a PNG with a transparent background works best), then crop and zoom it into place in the centre. Error correction is automatically increased to keep the code scannable around the logo.
- Size. Choose small, medium or large (250, 350 or 500 pixels) for screens, documents, labels and flyers.
For barcodes, the customisation focuses on bar width and height (which controls scan-ability across different scanner types), plus colours for branded contexts. Default black bars on white background remains the safest combination for retail point-of-sale scanners.
Best practices for printing and displaying
- Quiet zone. Leave at least a 4-module-wide white margin around any QR code, and at least 10x bar-width margin around any barcode. Scanners need this empty space to detect the code boundary.
- Test before printing in volume. Print a single sample at the target size, scan with 3-4 different phones (iOS, Android, older models). If all scan reliably, scale up production.
- Avoid printing on shiny surfaces. Glossy plastic, glossy paper, or laminated surfaces reflect light and can confuse scanners. Matt finishes work better.
- Use PDF for print, JPG for digital. The PDF places the code on an A4 page, ready to print; the JPG suits screens, documents and labels. For large prints, download the large size and test a sample first.
- Vertical orientation for barcodes when possible. Most retail scanners read horizontal bars vertically aligned. Avoid rotating barcodes 45 or 90 degrees unless you know your scanner supports it.
- Test custom-colour QRs especially carefully. Some older Android scanners struggle with non-black foreground colours. If the QR is going on something high-stakes (event ticket, payment), stick to black on white.
Privacy and security
Code generation runs entirely in your browser, and the tool even works offline. The link, contact data, Wi-Fi password or any other data you encode never leaves your device. Nothing is uploaded unless you choose to share the code as a link or save it to Google Drive. This matters when you encode sensitive information like internal company links, Wi-Fi passwords or private contact details. Read more in the privacy and security guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between QR codes and barcodes?
Barcodes are 1D (one-dimensional): parallel vertical lines of varying widths, typically holding 10-25 characters, requiring precise alignment with a laser scanner. QR codes (Quick Response codes) are 2D (two-dimensional): a grid of black-and-white squares, holding up to 7,000+ characters, scannable from any angle with any phone camera. Barcodes for inventory, retail SKUs, books, and shipping. QR codes for marketing, contact sharing, Wi-Fi sharing, restaurant menus, and consumer-facing scan-to-action.
Which barcode type should I use?
Depends on the industry: Code 128 is the modern general-purpose alphanumeric default, ideal for logistics, asset tagging, and mixed letter+number data. Code 39 is the older alphanumeric standard, still common in defense and government. EAN-13 is the 13-digit standard on retail products sold worldwide. EAN-8 is the compressed 8-digit version for very small items. UPC-A is the 12-digit standard for North American retail. ISBN is a specialised EAN-13 for books. ITF-14 is the 14-digit code for shipping cartons. MSI Plessey is numeric-only for inventory and warehousing.
Can I add a logo in the middle of my QR code?
Yes. The tool supports adding a logo or image in the centre of QR codes. QR codes have built-in error correction (up to 30% of the code can be damaged or covered and still scan correctly), which lets you place a logo over the centre without breaking the scan. The tool automatically applies the higher error correction level when a logo is added so the result remains scannable across all standard scanner apps.
Will my custom-colour QR still scan correctly?
Yes, as long as there is enough contrast between the foreground and background. The general rule: foreground (the dots) must be significantly darker than the background. Black on white is the safest combination. Dark colours (navy, dark green, dark red, dark grey) on light backgrounds (white, cream, very light pastels) work well. Avoid pale colours on similar pale colours, and avoid inverting (light dots on dark background) which works on some scanners but fails on others.
What size should I download my code at?
For QR codes, minimum scannable size depends on viewing distance. Rough rule of thumb: 1 cm width for arm-length scans (business cards), 2 cm for table-top scans (restaurant menus, table tents), 5 cm for poster scans at 1-2 metre distance, 20 cm+ for billboards or wall displays. For barcodes, the standard EAN-13 size is 37.29mm x 25.93mm at 100% scale, but retail scanners accept 80-200% of that. When in doubt, scan-test the printed code with multiple phone models before producing in volume.
Can I encode a Wi-Fi network in a QR code?
Yes. Type the text WIFI:T:WPA;S:YourNetwork;P:YourPassword;; with your own network name and password, then generate. When someone scans it, most phones offer to join the network with one tap, with no password to type. Useful for cafes, hotels, offices, holiday rentals and home guest networks.
Are my generated codes kept private?
Yes. Codes are generated in your browser and work even offline; what you type isn't sent to us. Only if you choose to share a link or save to Google Drive is the image uploaded.
Is this QR and barcode generator really free?
Yes. No account is required, there is no watermark on the codes and no limit on how many you create. Logos, custom colours, every barcode format and PDF download are all included for free.
Do the QR codes expire?
No. These are static QR codes: the link or text is stored inside the code itself, not on our servers, so they never expire and keep working as long as the destination exists. The flip side is that a printed code can't be redirected later, so double-check the link before printing.
What does error correction mean?
It's how much of the code can be damaged or covered and still scan: Low 7%, Medium 15%, High 25% or Max 30%. Higher levels make the code denser but tougher, which helps on printed labels and with a logo.
How do I make a QR code for a PDF?
Put the PDF somewhere permanent online, such as Google Drive with link sharing on, and turn that link into a QR code. Our own share links are temporary and expire after a short time, so they're not suited to printed codes.
Can I make a payment QR code?
Payment codes such as UPI, Pix or bank QR codes use special formats issued by your bank or payment app, so create them there. A QR code made from a plain account number won't work as a payment code.
Can I use these codes commercially?
Yes. Codes generated with the tool are yours to use without restriction, including commercial use: product packaging, retail labels, marketing campaigns, business cards, restaurant menus, posters, asset tags, ticketing, and any other use. We do not retain rights over what you generate. For EAN-13 and UPC-A retail barcodes specifically, remember that the underlying number itself must be properly registered with GS1 or your country's equivalent authority if you intend to sell through major retailers, the tool generates the visual barcode but does not assign the underlying number for you.
URLs, Wi-Fi, vCard, EAN-13, Code 128, ISBN, more. Custom colours, logos, PDF export. Free.
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