Qex
Plain text

Text QR code

A text QR code stores your words inside the code itself: a scanner shows the message with no website and no internet connection. Type up to 800 characters and Qex encodes them in a static QR code you download free, with no account. Shorter text gives a smaller, easier-to-scan code: 100 characters make a 41×41 grid. Some phone cameras do not display plain text. Want words people can read on the printed code too? Add a frame label or a centre image, as shown below.

Content

Your QR code updates as you type. Up to 800 characters; Unicode text or a logo can reach QR capacity sooner.
Try a public multiline example

A fictional café note with accents and line breaks. Use it to compare your exported QR with the message below.

Café notice
Please return cups here.
Thank you — merci!
The example fills an empty field. Clear your message first if you want to replace it.

Static code — the data is baked in. Nothing is uploaded, and there is no link to edit later. It does not expire; to change it after printing, you print a new one.

Design

Frame

Text inside the code, or words on it?

“A QR code with text inside” can mean two things. This generator stores your message in the pattern, where a scanner reads it. If you also want words people can read on the printed code, the builder above adds them around the code or in its middle.

What the builder can put on a text QR code
You wantHowDoes the code change?
Your message, read by a scannerType it in the Text fieldYes: longer text makes a bigger grid (tables below)
A short label people can readFrame tab: Caption, Label below, Label above or Speech bubble, with up to 20 characters of frame textNo: the label sits outside the pattern
A word or initials in the middleLogo tab: Upload logo with an image of the word (PNG, JPG, WebP or SVG). The preset icons contain no textYes: error correction goes to H, so 100 characters need 57×57 instead of 41×41
The whole message, readable on paperDownload text note · PDF, in the builderNo: the note prints your text under a plain QR
Letters drawn into the dotsNot available in QexNot applicable

The centre image fills a square about a fifth of the code’s width, so one short word or initials stay readable; a longer word shrinks to fit. Our test on 4 November 2026: a 100-character message, the label “SCAN FOR THE MESSAGE” and an uploaded image of the word “INFO”, downloaded as PNG and SVG. The PNG decoded to the full message on a 57×57 grid. The centre image covers part of the pattern and relies on error correction, so scan a printed proof before a batch.

When text is the right payload

A short equipment instruction, an inventory reference or a public note can live inside the QR itself. Reading the encoded text does not require a hosted page. The phone still needs a scanner that supports plain text. For instructions you expect to update, use a website QR to a public page instead.

Check the scanner action, not just the pattern

A scanner may show the message, offer Copy or recognise a URL or phone number in it. Some built-in cameras handle selected QR types without showing a plain-text result. Qex cannot choose the receiving app’s action. Try a plain-text-capable scanner and provide a readable instruction beside the print as a fallback. If no scanner decodes the pattern, check the artwork and print size.

Keep Unicode and long messages readable

The field accepts up to 800 characters. Without a logo, Latin, accented and Cyrillic text fits all 800; Chinese or Japanese text fits about 777 characters, and the field holds about 400 simple emoji because each counts as two characters. A centre logo switches to the highest error correction and lowers capacity, as the table below shows. Internal line breaks remain in the payload, while whitespace at the beginning and end is removed. If the preview reports a length error, shorten the message or remove the logo. Compare the downloaded result for accents, symbols and line breaks.

Changing the message means replacing the printed code

A text QR contains the message, not a redirect to an editable record. Editing this field and downloading again produces new artwork; the old print retains its old message. There is no dashboard entry or scan tracking for this static code. If instructions must change after printing, put them on a public web page and create an editable website QR, then keep control of its workspace.

Treat the artwork as a readable copy of the message

Anyone who receives, photographs or decodes the artwork can read the text. Do not include passwords, private access codes or confidential records. The message is encoded in your browser and is not uploaded to Qex. The downloaded file and any copies you share still contain it; a QR is not encryption or an access control.

How much text fits, and how big the code gets

Measured with the encoder this generator uses. Sizes are modules across, without the 4-module clear border that downloads add. Without a logo Qex uses error correction M; a centre logo switches to H.

Grid size by message length (mixed-case English text)
CharactersNo logoWith logo
2525×2533×33
5033×3341×41
10041×4157×57
20057×5777×77
30069×6989×89
50085×85113×113
800109×109145×145
Qex dynamic link (HTTPS://QEX.ME/AB3XK)21×2125×25

Each grid size is a QR code version: 25×25 is version 2, 33×33 is version 4, 41×41 is version 6, 57×57 is version 10, 69×69 is version 13, 85×85 is version 17, 109×109 is version 23. See how much fits in each of the QR code versions 1 to 40.

Most characters that fit (field limit 800)
ScriptNo logoWith logo
Basic Latin (English)800800
Accented Latin or Cyrillic800636
Chinese or Japanese777424
Simple emoji (count as 2 each)400318

Long or changing text? Put it on a public page and make a website QR: a Qex dynamic link stays 21×21 whatever the page says, and you can edit it after printing.

The generator’s free A4 or US Letter note puts the same message in the QR and on the paper, so visitors can read it without a scanner. Line breaks remain in the QR; long printed lines wrap. Inspect accents and symbols in the PDF before printing. Use this for public instructions rather than secrets.

Choose a print size or an editable instruction page

Use the actual-payload print-size calculator and A4 or US Letter proof before printing. If the pattern will not decode, follow the artwork troubleshooting checklist. A readable QR and a scanner that displays plain text are separate checks.

Need changing instructions? Make a website QR to a public page. For an editable dynamic code, save its guest workspace with email and confirm the emailed link before clearing this browser’s data. Saving a workspace does not make a static text QR editable.

How to make a text QR code

  1. Enter a short public messageTry the public multiline example in the builder, or enter your own short note. The example only fills an empty field. Keep private information out. Leading and trailing whitespace is removed; internal line breaks stay. Use a website QR if you need to edit the content after printing.
  2. Resolve preview errorsCheck the complete preview. If it reports a capacity error, shorten the text or remove the logo before exporting. More content makes a denser pattern.
  3. Download and compare the payloadChoose a free PNG, JPG, SVG or PDF export. Decode the exported artwork with a plain-text-capable scanner and compare the words, accents, symbols and line breaks to your message.
  4. Test the final printScan one proof at the intended size with the phones your readers use. Confirm recognition and useful display or copying. Keep the quiet zone and a readable instruction beside the QR; replace the artwork when the message changes.

Check your QR before printing

Keep the full clear margin around your downloaded QR. Print one proof at the final size, measure it, and scan it with the phones your visitors use before ordering a batch.

Compare QR print dimensions and make an A4 or US Letter proof for a plain, no-logo static link or text code. For your existing dynamic code, paste its Qex short link, rather than the destination, to keep the same redirect in the proof. For a code with a logo, frame, Wi-Fi details or a contact card, test the actual downloaded artwork; the plain calculator does not reproduce that design.

Diagnose a QR code that will not scan or open if a proof fails.

Questions

Can I put text in the middle of a QR code?

Yes, as an image: in the Logo tab, upload a picture of a short word or initials. Qex has no option to type text into the centre, and its preset icons contain no text. A centre image switches to the highest error correction, so the code gets denser: 100 characters need 57×57 instead of 41×41. For readable words that leave the code unchanged, add a frame label of up to 20 characters.

Will the phone open a website?

The payload is text, but a scanner may recognise a URL inside it and offer a link. Qex cannot force a particular display or app action. Test your actual message on the phones you expect readers to use.

Why does my phone camera ignore a text QR?

Some cameras support website links without displaying plain-text QR results. Try a scanner that supports plain text. If no scanner can decode the pattern, check its size, contrast, clear border and export. Keep the short instruction readable on the print too.

Can I change the text after printing?

The old print keeps the text encoded in it. Downloading an edited message creates new artwork that must replace the old print. For changing instructions, use an editable website QR to a public page instead.

Are line breaks and emoji kept?

Internal line breaks and Unicode characters are encoded; whitespace at the beginning and end is removed. Scanner display varies, so compare the decoded exported message and test the phones your readers use. Longer Unicode messages can reach capacity sooner.

Is there a length limit?

The text field accepts up to 800 characters. Without a logo that limit comes first for most text; Chinese or Japanese fits about 777 characters. With a logo, about 636 accented or Cyrillic characters, 424 Chinese or Japanese, or 318 simple emoji fit. For print, keep it brief: 800 characters make a 109×109 grid that needs a large print.

Can I track scans?

Not for a static text code. Tracking needs a short link, which means a URL destination.

Is the text stored on Qex?

No. Same as Wi-Fi and vCard: the browser draws the image and you download it.

Related QR codes

Wi-Fi QR codeType the network name and password. The code is built on this page — the password is never sent to our servers. Download four ready-to-cut guest cards as an A4 or US Letter PDF, or a QR image for your own layout.Email QR codeCreate a static QR containing your email address and an optional subject. A compatible scanner can open a draft in the visitor’s mail app. Scanning does not send a message; check the recipient and subject before printing.vCard QR codeFill in the contact. The QR holds a vCard 3.0 file, not a website. A name, phone, email and company make a 61×61 code with the default phone logo, or 49×49 with No logo. A compatible scanner can offer “Add to contacts”; other scanners may show the raw text. Nothing is uploaded.Any other QR codePaste a link on the homepage. Same builder, any destination.