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Text QR Code Generator

Create a QR code that shows any plain text when scanned: notes, instructions, serial numbers.

Keep it under ~300 characters for easy scanning.

Customize design

Presets

Higher levels survive more damage and bigger logos, at the cost of a denser code.

Blank border around the code in modules. 4 is the specification recommendation.

Center logo (optional)

Your QR code

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Free, no watermark, never expires. SVG scales to any size for print.

A text QR code contains plain text that appears on the phone when scanned: no website, no app, no internet connection required. It's the simplest kind of QR code and perfect whenever you want to hand someone a short piece of information.

Common uses include equipment instructions, serial or batch numbers, Wi-Fi passwords printed on routers, gift messages, geocaching hints and inventory labels.

You can use any characters, including line breaks, accents and emoji. The text is encoded as UTF-8, so it displays correctly on every modern phone.

How much text fits in a QR code?

A QR code can technically hold over 1,000 characters, but codes that full are dense and scan poorly. For reliable scanning (especially on printed material), keep text under about 300 characters. If your text doesn't fit comfortably, consider linking to a web page instead.

Related QR tools

URL QR CodeSend people straight to any web page: menus, landing pages, product info.Wi-Fi QR CodeLet guests join your network instantly: no password typing, no spelling it out.SMS QR CodeOpen a text message with the number and message ready to send.

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Frequently asked questions

How much text can a QR code hold?
The upper limit is over 1,000 characters, but scanning reliability drops as the code gets denser. We recommend staying under ~300 characters for codes people will scan in the real world.
Does the person scanning need internet?
No. The text is inside the QR code itself and appears instantly on the phone, completely offline.
Can I include emoji and non-English characters?
Yes. Text is encoded as UTF-8, so accents, other alphabets and emoji all display correctly on modern devices.
What happens if I put a URL in a text QR code?
Most phones will show the text and offer to open it if it looks like a link, but the experience is smoother with a proper URL QR code, so use the URL type for links.
Do line breaks work?
Yes, line breaks in the text field are preserved and shown on the scanning phone.

Looking for another format? The full QR code generator supports all 12+ types in one place.