FREE QR Code from Google - I didn't know?

FREE QR Code from Google

For years, creating a simple QR code felt like it should be easy—but somehow never was. Every time I needed one, I ended up on a third-party website that promised “free” QR codes, only to discover the catch later. Some made me pay to download a high-resolution image. Others worked for a while and then suddenly paused my code unless I upgraded to a monthly plan. A few even started showing ads or redirect screens before sending people to the link I actually wanted them to see. It was frustrating, especially when all I wanted was a clean, reliable QR code that sent readers straight where they needed to go.

That’s why discovering how easy it is to create a QR code with Google felt like such a relief.

Look how clean and beautiful it looks:

Google offers a completely free, no-strings-attached way to generate QR codes, and it takes less than a minute. There are no subscriptions, no expiration dates, no surprise ads, and no “upgrade to unlock” messages. The QR code simply works—now and in the future.

Here’s how simple it is. You start by opening Google Chrome and navigating to the page you want to share. In my case, that page is my book’s listing—The Missing Moo: Secrets of Whisper Pine, written for elementary and middle-grade readers. Once the page is open, click the three dots (located in the top right corner), look for the share icon, and select “Create QR code.” That’s it. Instantly, Google generates a clean, high-quality QR code that you can download and use anywhere—flyers, bookmarks, posters, classroom handouts, or social media graphics.

The QR code image included here is a perfect example of what Google creates. It’s simple, modern, and easy to scan. When someone points their phone camera at it, they’re taken directly to my book—no pop-ups, no ads, no extra steps. For parents, teachers, and librarians, that smooth experience matters. For kids, it means less confusion and more excitement about discovering a new story.

What really stands out is reliability. In the past, I’ve had QR codes stop working because a service decided to lock them behind a paywall. Imagine printing hundreds of bookmarks or posters only to find out later that the QR code now leads to an ad page or a “service unavailable” message. Google doesn’t do that. Once the QR code is created, it stays functional because it’s simply pointing to a standard web link. There’s nothing to expire.

For authors—especially those writing for children—this is a game changer. QR codes make it easy to connect readers to your work instantly. A student can scan a code in a classroom. A parent can scan one at a school event. A teacher can share it during a book fair. And because Google’s QR codes are free, you don’t have to worry about marketing costs creeping up just to share a link.

Sometimes the best tools are the simplest ones. Google’s QR code generator proves that you don’t need fancy platforms or paid services to get professional results. You just need a link, a few clicks, and a story worth sharing.