How to create your own QR code

It’s easy to create a QR code to send customers to your restaurant’s menu or share an event invitation with friends.

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QR codes — or “Quick Response” codes — are square-shaped barcodes that can be scanned by mobile devices. They are used for a variety of applications, from pulling up a restaurant menu to directing people to a podcast.

QR codes can also be used in wedding invitations to direct guests to the wedding website, where they can RSVP and find information on the venue, hotel options, and the registry.

Creating a QR code is a relatively straightforward process, and it can be done on a computer as well as your Android or iOS device. Here’s how it’s done.

Use QR Code Generator

There are many QR code generators to choose from. Here’s a step-by-step guide using a website called QR Code Generator.

1. On any web browser, go to the QR Code Generator website.

2. Enter the URL of the website you want the QR code to send people to. Alternatively, you can also enter text or upload a file (perhaps to a flyer you designed or to a restaurant menu).

The QR Code Generator website, with the area for entering a website, or drag and dropping a file into highlighted. — Paste your QR code or drag and drop a file here.

3. When you’re finished, click Download to save your custom QR code.

The QR Code Generator website, with the “Download” button for downloading the custom QR code highlighted. — Click “Download” in the bottom right of the page.

4. A pop-up will appear asking you to create a free account, but you don’t have to create an account. Just wait for the QR code to finish generating and it will appear in your downloads as an image.

Try the Google Chrome app

You can use the Google Chrome app on your Android or iOS device to create a QR code.

On Android

1. Open the Google Chrome app on your Android device and navigate to the website you want to create a QR code for.

2. Tap the more icon – the three vertical dots – in the top right corner.

The Google Chrome app on Android, with the “more” icon in the top right corner highlighted. — Click this icon in the top right corner to reveal a dropdown menu.

3. Tap Share in the drop-down menu.

4. Tap QR Code.

The Google Chrome app on Android, with the “QR Code” option highlighted in the “Share” pop-up menu. — Tap “QR Code.”

5. Beneath the QR code on the next screen, tap Download to save the QR code to your device.

The Google Chrome app on Android, with the “Download” button highlighted on the page to download a QR code. — Tap “Download” to save the QR code on your device.

6. Once downloaded, you can then send the QR code to others via text, email, messaging app, etc.

On iOS

1. Open the Google Chrome app on your iPhone or iPad and navigate to the website you want to create a QR code for.

2. In the top-right corner next to the address bar, tap the Share symbol, which looks like a square with an arrow pointing upward.

The Google Chrome app on iPhone, with the “Share” icon highlighted. — Tap the “Share” icon next to the URL.

3. Scroll down and tap Create a QR Code.

4. Tap Share.

The Google Chrome app on iPhone, with the “Share” button on the page with the custom QR code highlighted. — Tap the blue “Share” button.

5. Choose how you want to share the QR code (via text, email, messaging app, etc.)

Abigail Abesamis Demarest

Abigail Abesamis Demarest is a contributing writer for Insider based in New York. She loves a good glazed donut and nerdy deep dives into the science of food and how it’s made.