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miccho27
miccho27

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Generate Custom QR Codes via API — Free, No Auth, SVG & PNG, Branded Colors

#api #webdev #javascript #tutorial

TL;DR: Get production-ready results in 1 HTTP call. No signup, no credit card, no rate limit.

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Need to generate QR codes programmatically? Most QR code APIs either require complex authentication, charge per request, or limit you to basic black-and-white output.

I built a free QR Code Generator API running on Cloudflare Workers' edge network. Here's what makes it different:

  • No authentication required for the free tier (500 requests/month)
  • Custom colors — foreground, background, any hex code
  • Multiple formats — PNG, SVG, or Base64
  • Error correction levels — L, M, Q, H
  • Sub-50ms response from 300+ global edge locations
  • Zero cold starts — it's always warm

Quick Start

Generate a basic QR code 

curl "https://qr-code-generator-api.p.rapidapi.com/generate?text=https://example.com&size=300&format=png"
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With custom colors (branded QR code) 

curl "https://qr-code-generator-api.p.rapidapi.com/generate?text=https://mysite.com&size=400&format=svg&color=1DB954&bgcolor=191414"
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This creates a Spotify-green-on-dark QR code — great for branded materials.

JavaScript Example 

const response = await fetch(
  'https://qr-code-generator-api.p.rapidapi.com/generate?' +
  new URLSearchParams({
    text: 'https://example.com',
    size: '300',
    format: 'png',
    color: '000000',
    bgcolor: 'FFFFFF',
    errorCorrection: 'M'
  })
);

const blob = await response.blob();
const url = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
document.getElementById('qr').src = url;
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Python Example 

import requests

response = requests.get(
    "https://qr-code-generator-api.p.rapidapi.com/generate",
    params={
        "text": "https://example.com",
        "size": 300,
        "format": "svg",
        "color": "333333",
        "bgcolor": "FFFFFF"
    }
)

with open("qr.svg", "w") as f:
    f.write(response.text)
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Real-World Use Cases

1. Restaurant menus

Generate dynamic QR codes pointing to your menu page. Update the URL without reprinting.

2. Event tickets

Embed ticket IDs in QR codes with high error correction (level H) so they scan even when partially damaged.

3. Product packaging

Brand-colored QR codes that match your packaging design.

4. Business cards (vCards) 

curl "https://qr-code-generator-api.p.rapidapi.com/generate?text=BEGIN:VCARD%0AVERSION:3.0%0AFN:John%20Doe%0AEMAIL:john@example.com%0AEND:VCARD&size=300&format=png"
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Parameters Reference

Parameter Default Description
text (required) Content to encode
size 200 Image size in pixels
format png png, svg, or base64
color 000000 Foreground hex color
bgcolor FFFFFF Background hex color
errorCorrection M L, M, Q, or H

Why Not Use a Library?

You absolutely can use qrcode.js or Python's qrcode library. But if you need QR generation in:

  • Serverless functions (no native dependencies)
  • Mobile apps (just an HTTP call)
  • No-code tools (Zapier, Make, n8n)
  • Multiple languages (one API, any client)

...then an API is simpler than managing dependencies across platforms.

Performance

Built on Cloudflare Workers — no containers, no cold starts. Average response time is under 30ms globally. The free tier gives you 500 requests/month, which is plenty for development and small projects.

Try it free on RapidAPI →

This API is part of a collection of 24 developer tools — all free tier, all on Cloudflare's edge.

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