Generate QR Codes With Python Guide

A QR code is a two-dimensional barcode that can store text, URLs, contact details, Wi-Fi settings, and other short data. In Python, the fastest practical way to generate one today is the qrcode package. It is a pure Python QR code generator, and installing it with the Pillow extra lets you save QR codes as image files such as PNG.

Last reviewed: July 2026. This updated guide uses qrcode[pil] for the main examples and keeps the older pyqrcode approach only as an SVG alternative.

Install the QR code package

Use your project environment first, then install the package with pip. If you are cleaning up or rebuilding environments, see our guide on how to remove a Python venv safely.

python -m pip install "qrcode[pil]"

The [pil] extra installs Pillow support, which is what the library uses to create image output. If you see a Pillow import error later, the related fix is covered in No Module Named PIL.

Generate a basic QR code in Python

For a simple QR code, import qrcode, pass the data you want to encode, and save the returned image object.

import qrcode

data = "https://www.pythonpool.com/"
img = qrcode.make(data)
img.save("pythonpool-qr.png")

This creates a PNG file in the same folder where you run the script. The data can be a URL, plain text, an email address, or any other short string. URLs are the most common use case because phone cameras can open them directly after scanning.

Customize size, border, and error correction

Use the QRCode class when you need control over the generated image. The main settings are box_size, border, and error_correction.

import qrcode
from qrcode.constants import ERROR_CORRECT_H

qr = qrcode.QRCode(
    version=None,
    error_correction=ERROR_CORRECT_H,
    box_size=10,
    border=4,
)

qr.add_data("https://www.pythonpool.com/")
qr.make(fit=True)

img = qr.make_image(fill_color="black", back_color="white")
img.save("pythonpool-custom-qr.png")

version=None lets the library choose the smallest QR version that fits the data. ERROR_CORRECT_H gives stronger error correction, which is useful if the code will be printed, compressed, or placed near a logo. Keep the default quiet-zone border unless you have tested the code with multiple camera apps.

Use safe colors for custom QR codes

You can change the foreground and background colors, but scanners need strong contrast. Dark modules on a light background are safest. Avoid low-contrast color pairs, busy backgrounds, and oversized logos unless you test the final image on several phones.

img = qr.make_image(fill_color="#111111", back_color="#ffffff")
img.save("high-contrast-qr.png")

Because the output is a Pillow image, you can also process it with image workflows. For example, this pairs naturally with tutorials like converting a PIL image to a NumPy array or rotating an image in Python.

Save a QR code as SVG with pyqrcode

If you specifically need SVG output, the older pyqrcode package can still be used. For most PNG workflows, prefer qrcode[pil]; for SVG-only output, this is the minimal pattern:

python -m pip install pyqrcode

import pyqrcode

code = pyqrcode.create("https://www.pythonpool.com/")
code.svg("pythonpool-qr.svg", scale=8)

Common QR code errors in Python

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named qrcode means the package is not installed in the Python environment running the script. Run python -m pip install "qrcode[pil]" from that same environment.

No module named PIL usually means Pillow was not installed. Reinstall with the Pillow extra or install Pillow directly with python -m pip install Pillow.

The QR code does not scan usually comes from poor contrast, missing border space, too much data, or resizing the image badly. Keep a four-box border, use dark-on-light colors, and test the final exported file instead of only testing the preview in your editor.

Best practices before sharing a QR code

Before you print or publish the QR code, scan it from the final file and from the final physical size. A code that works on your monitor can fail after compression, cropping, or color changes. Keep the destination URL stable, avoid URL shorteners when trust matters, and save the original script so you can regenerate the image later with the same settings.

Complete example

This script creates a high-error-correction QR code for a URL and saves it as a PNG file:

import qrcode
from qrcode.constants import ERROR_CORRECT_H

url = "https://www.pythonpool.com/"
output_file = "pythonpool-qr.png"

qr = qrcode.QRCode(
    version=None,
    error_correction=ERROR_CORRECT_H,
    box_size=10,
    border=4,
)
qr.add_data(url)
qr.make(fit=True)

image = qr.make_image(fill_color="black", back_color="white")
image.save(output_file)

print(f"Saved {output_file}")

This is enough for most QR code generation tasks in Python. Start with the simple qrcode.make() version, then move to the QRCode class only when you need size, border, color, or error-correction control.