How do I get access to the QR code API?

The QR code API is included with all paid subscriptions. Choose a plan that fits your usage — Starter (5,000 requests per day), Pro (50,000 per day), or Enterprise (custom limits). Once subscribed, generate an API key from your dashboard and start making requests immediately.

Do I need an API key?

Yes. An API key is required for all API requests. It authenticates your requests and tracks your usage against your plan limits. You can generate an API key from your account dashboard after subscribing to any paid plan.

What output formats does the API support?

The API returns QR codes in four formats: PNG (raster image, default), SVG (vector, scalable for print), PDF (single-code document), and Base64 (data URI for inline embedding in HTML or emails).

Can I generate dynamic QR codes via the API?

Yes. Use the POST /v1/qr/dynamic endpoint with your API key to create dynamic QR codes. Dynamic codes redirect through QRKIT’s servers so you can update the destination URL anytime and track scan analytics (total scans, unique scans, location, device, time).

What are the rate limits?

Starter plan: 5,000 requests per day. Pro plan: 50,000 requests per day. Enterprise: custom limits. Rate limit headers (X-RateLimit-Remaining) are included in every response.

Can I add a logo to QR codes generated via the API?

Yes. Use the logo parameter with a publicly accessible image URL or a Base64-encoded data URI. The logoSize parameter controls how much of the QR code the logo covers (default 25%). Error correction automatically increases to H (high) when a logo is present.

How do I generate a WiFi QR code via the API?

Set type=wifi and format the text parameter as SSID:YourNetwork;PASSWORD:YourPassword;ENCRYPTION:WPA. The API automatically encodes this into the standard WIFI: protocol. Works the same way for vCard (type=vcard), SMS (type=sms), and other types.

Is there a Python library or JavaScript SDK?

Yes. QRKIT provides official client libraries for Python (pip install useqrkit), JavaScript/Node.js (npm install useqrkit), PHP (composer require useqrkit/useqrkit), and Go (go get github.com/useqrkit/go-sdk). Each library wraps the REST API with idiomatic methods for each language.

Can I use the API to generate QR codes in Google Sheets or Excel?

Yes. Use the GET endpoint directly in a spreadsheet formula. In Google Sheets: =IMAGE("https://api.useqrkit.com/v1/qr?text=" & A1). In Excel, use the IMAGE function (Microsoft 365) or import the URL as a web image. See our bulk QR code generator for generating many codes from a spreadsheet.

How do I migrate from goqr.me or Google Charts QR API?

Replace the base URL in your existing integration. For goqr.me: change https://api.qrserver.com/v1/create-qr-code/?data= to https://api.useqrkit.com/v1/qr?text=. For Google Charts: change https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?cht=qr&chs=200x200&chl= to https://api.useqrkit.com/v1/qr?text=&size=200. Most parameters map directly.

QR Code Generator API

Generate QR codes programmatically with a simple REST API. Included with all paid subscriptions.

A QR code generator API that lets you create QR codes programmatically with a simple REST call. Support for 8 QR code types, dynamic codes with scan tracking, and output in PNG, SVG, or PDF. Included with all paid subscriptions.

All Paid PlansREST API8 QR TypesPNG, SVG & PDF

Quick Start

GET https://api.useqrkit.com/v1/qr?text=https://example.com&size=300

Get Your API Key Quick Start Guide ↓

Quick start

Get Started in 60 Seconds

Make a Request

The simplest way to generate a QR code is a single GET request. Use your API key to authenticate requests.

curl "https://api.useqrkit.com/v1/qr?text=https://example.com&size=300" \
  --output qr-code.png

Customize Your Code

Add parameters to change size, colors, error correction, and logo:

URL

https://api.useqrkit.com/v1/qr?text=https://example.com&size=400&dark=1a73e8&light=ffffff&ecLevel=H&logo=https://example.com/logo.png

Choose Your QR Type

Set the type parameter to generate WiFi, vCard, SMS, or other QR code types. The API handles the correct data encoding automatically.

URL

https://api.useqrkit.com/v1/qr?type=wifi&text=SSID:MyNetwork;PASSWORD:secret123;ENCRYPTION:WPA&size=300

Try it

API Playground

Build your QR code generator API request interactively. Adjust the parameters below and copy the generated URL or cURL command directly into your project.

Content

QR Type

Format

Size 300px

Error Correction

Foreground Color

Background Color

Generated API Request

GET Request URL

https://api.useqrkit.com/v1/qr?text=https%3A%2F%2Fexample.com

cURL

curl "https://api.useqrkit.com/v1/qr?text=https%3A%2F%2Fexample.com" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  --output qr-code.png

QR types

QR Code Types

Type	Parameter	Example `text` Format	Use Case
URL	`type=url`	https://example.com	Website links, landing pages
WiFi	`type=wifi`	SSID:Name;PASSWORD:pass;ENCRYPTION:WPA	Guest WiFi access
vCard	`type=vcard`	FN:John Doe;TEL:+1234567890;EMAIL:john@example.com	Contact cards, employee badges
SMS	`type=sms`	+1234567890:Hello from our app	Customer support, feedback
Email	`type=email`	support@example.com:Subject:Body text	Contact links
Location	`type=location`	40.7484,-73.9857:Empire State Building	Store locations, event venues
App Download	`type=app`	IOS:https://apps.apple.com/...;ANDROID:https://play.google.com/...	App install prompts
Plain Text	`type=text`	Any text string	Asset tags, serial numbers

Each type is automatically encoded using the correct protocol (WIFI:, BEGIN:VCARD, sms:, mailto:, geo:, etc.).

How it works

What Is a QR Code API?

A QR code generator API lets developers generate QR codes programmatically through HTTP requests instead of using a manual web-based QR code generator. You send a request with your data and customization parameters, and the API returns a QR code image or data URI.

This is essential when QR codes need to be generated dynamically — inside a web application, mobile app, automated workflow, or print pipeline. Rather than manually creating each code, the API integrates directly into your existing systems and generates codes on demand.

Common use cases for a QR code API include generating unique codes for e-commerce order confirmations, embedding QR codes in automated emails, adding dynamic codes to invoices and shipping labels, and integrating QR-based authentication into mobile applications. For non-developers who need batch generation without code, the bulk QR code generator creates hundreds of codes from a CSV or Excel file.

QRKIT's API supports both static and dynamic QR codes. Static codes encode data permanently, while dynamic QR codes use a redirect URL that can be changed anytime, with scan analytics tracking. Dynamic codes never expire as long as your subscription is active.

Common Integration Patterns

E-Commerce & Receipts

Generate a unique QR code for every order confirmation, receipt, or return label. Customers scan to track shipments, access digital receipts, or initiate returns — all without typing a URL.

Marketing & Print Campaigns

Embed QR codes in automated email campaigns, direct mail, or packaging. Use dynamic codes so you can update the destination after printing and track every scan with analytics.

Document Generation

Add QR codes to invoices, shipping labels, event tickets, and certificates during PDF generation. The API returns images in PNG, SVG, or PDF format for pixel-perfect embedding in any document pipeline.

Authentication & Access Control

Generate one-time QR codes for two-factor authentication, event check-in, or temporary access passes. Pair with password-protected QR codes for an additional security layer.

API reference

API Parameters

Core Parameters

Parameter	Type	Required	Default	Description
`text`	string	Yes	—	Content to encode in the QR code
`type`	string	No	`url`	QR type: url, wifi, vcard, sms, email, location, app, text
`size`	integer	No	`300`	Image width/height in pixels (50–2000)
`format`	string	No	`png`	Output format: png, svg, pdf, base64
`margin`	integer	No	`4`	Quiet zone width in modules (0–10)
`ecLevel`	string	No	`M`	Error correction: L (7%), M (15%), Q (25%), H (30%)

Design Parameters

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
`dark`	hex string	`000000`	Foreground color
`light`	hex string	`ffffff`	Background color
`logo`	string	—	Logo image URL or Base64 data URI
`logoSize`	float	`0.25`	Logo size as fraction of QR code (0.1–0.4)
`caption`	string	—	Text displayed below the QR code

Authentication

Parameter	Type	Description
`key`	string	API key (required for all API requests)

Error Handling & Response Codes

The API returns standard HTTP status codes. Successful requests return the QR code image directly. Errors return a JSON body with a message field describing the issue.

Status	Meaning	Common Cause
`200`	Success	QR code returned as image or data URI
`400`	Bad Request	Missing or invalid parameter (e.g. empty text, size out of range)
`401`	Unauthorized	Missing or invalid API key
`429`	Rate Limit Exceeded	Daily request quota exceeded — check X-RateLimit-Remaining header
`500`	Server Error	Internal error — retry with exponential backoff

JSON Error Response

{
  "error": {
    "code": 400,
    "message": "Parameter 'text' is required",
    "details": "The text parameter must be a non-empty string"
  }
}

Rate limit headers are included in every response: X-RateLimit-Limit, X-RateLimit-Remaining, and X-RateLimit-Reset. Use these to implement client-side throttling and avoid hitting your daily quota.

Client libraries

Official SDKs & Libraries

While you can call the QR code generator API directly via HTTP, QRKIT also provides official client libraries that wrap the REST endpoints with idiomatic methods. Whether you need a QR code generator API for Python, JavaScript, PHP, or Go — install the library for your stack and start generating QR codes in a few lines of code.

# Install: pip install useqrkit
from useqrkit import QRKIT

client = QRKIT(api_key="YOUR_API_KEY")

# Generate a simple URL QR code
qr = client.generate(
    text="https://example.com",
    size=400,
    format="png"
)

# Save to file
with open("qr-code.png", "wb") as f:
    f.write(qr.content)

# Generate a WiFi QR code
wifi_qr = client.generate(
    text="SSID:Office;PASSWORD:secret;ENCRYPTION:WPA",
    type="wifi",
    size=300,
    dark="1a73e8"
)

All libraries support the full API surface including dynamic QR code creation, destination updates, and scan analytics retrieval. Each package includes TypeScript/type definitions, comprehensive error handling, and automatic retry logic for transient failures.

Dynamic codes

Dynamic QR Codes

QRKIT's dynamic QR code generator API goes beyond static codes. Dynamic QR codes use a short redirect URL — so you can update the destination anytime without reprinting the physical code. Create, update, and track codes programmatically through the REST API.

Create a dynamic QR code

bash

curl -X POST "https://api.useqrkit.com/v1/qr/dynamic" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"text": "https://example.com/promo", "size": 300}'

Update the destination

bash

curl -X PUT "https://api.useqrkit.com/v1/qr/abc123" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -d '{"text": "https://example.com/new-promo"}'

Retrieve scan analytics

bash

curl "https://api.useqrkit.com/v1/qr/abc123/scans" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"

JSON Response

{
  "total_scans": 1247,
  "unique_scans": 893,
  "scans_by_day": [...],
  "top_countries": [...],
  "top_devices": [...]
}

Dynamic QR codes require an API key and a paid plan. All scan data is available both through the API and the QRKIT dashboard.

Pricing

API Access & Rate Limits

API access is included with every paid subscription — no separate API add-on or per-request fees. Your plan determines your daily request quota:

Starter

5,000

requests / day

Pro

50,000

requests / day

Enterprise

Custom

dedicated limits

All plans include the full API feature set: static and dynamic QR codes, all 8 QR types, PNG/SVG/PDF/Base64 output, logo overlays, custom colors, and scan analytics. See pricing plans for full details and current rates.

Migration

Migrating from Google Image Charts QR API

Google deprecated its Image Charts API (including QR code generation) in 2019. If you're still using chart.googleapis.com URLs, you can migrate to QRKIT with minimal changes.

Before (Google Image Charts)

URL

https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?cht=qr&chs=200x200&chl=Hello+World

After (QRKIT API)

URL

https://api.useqrkit.com/v1/qr?text=Hello+World&size=200

The URL structure is simpler and the QR code generator API is actively maintained. QRKIT also supports features Google's API never offered: custom colors, logo overlays, multiple output formats, and dynamic QR codes with scan analytics.

QR Code API — Frequently Asked Questions

Get started

Start Building with
the QR Code Generator API

Integrate the QR code generator API into your application and generate static and dynamic QR codes on demand. API access is included with all paid subscriptions.

Included with all paid plansREST API with GET and POSTCode examples in 4 languages

Get Your API Key

QR Code Generator API

Get Started in 60 Seconds

Make a Request

Customize Your Code

Choose Your QR Type

API Playground

QR Code Types

What Is a QR Code API?

Common Integration Patterns

E-Commerce & Receipts

Marketing & Print Campaigns

Document Generation

Authentication & Access Control

API Parameters

Core Parameters

Design Parameters

Authentication

Error Handling & Response Codes

Official SDKs & Libraries

Dynamic QR Codes

Create a dynamic QR code

Update the destination

Retrieve scan analytics

API Access & Rate Limits

Migrating from Google Image Charts QR API

QR Code API — Frequently Asked Questions

Start Building with
the QR Code Generator API

QR Code Types

Features

Use Cases

Resources

QR Code Generator API

Get Started in 60 Seconds

Make a Request

Customize Your Code

Choose Your QR Type

API Playground

QR Code Types

What Is a QR Code API?

Common Integration Patterns

E-Commerce & Receipts

Marketing & Print Campaigns

Document Generation

Authentication & Access Control

API Parameters

Core Parameters

Design Parameters

Authentication

Error Handling & Response Codes

Official SDKs & Libraries

Dynamic QR Codes

Create a dynamic QR code

Update the destination

Retrieve scan analytics

API Access & Rate Limits

Migrating from Google Image Charts QR API

QR Code API — Frequently Asked Questions

Start Building with the QR Code Generator API

QR Code Types

Features

Use Cases

Resources

Start Building with
the QR Code Generator API