How To Generate a QR Code Using HTML: An Easy Guide

Is it possible to generate a QR code using HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language)?

The short answer is yes, but HTML alone cannot create a QR code. You need JavaScript or another QR code software to generate the QR code itself.

In this article, you’ll learn how to create a QR code using HTML with JavaScript and when it makes more business sense to use an advanced QR code generator for features like editing, tracking, and scalability.

Table of Contents

1. What is a QR code HTML generator?
2. How to generate a QR code using HTML and JavaScript
   • Step 1: Create an HTML file
   • Step 2: Add the JavaScript
   • Step 3: Save and open the file
3. Where HTML-based QR code generation falls short
   • 1. HTML alone cannot generate QR codes
   • 2. Knowledge of JavaScript is a necessity 
   • 3. Limited customization options
   • 4. No analytics or tracking
   • 5. HTML can create static QR codes only
   • 6. Security limitations
   • 7. Difficulty in maintenance
4. Why do you need an advanced QR code generator for HTML
5. Landing page QR code: A no-code solution
6. How to create an HTML QR code (no coding)
7. Why QR TIGER is the best QR code generator with HTML code
8. Summing up
9. FAQ

What is a QR code HTML generator?

An HTML QR code generator is a web-based solution that uses HTML and JavaScript or an API to create and display a QR code on a web page. 

For quick, easy QR code generation, online platforms like QR TIGER let you make one without HTML coding. 

How to generate a QR code using HTML and JavaScript

You can use HTML to create QR codes by combining it with a small JavaScript library. 

Remember, the Hyper Text Markup Language is what builds your webpage, and JavaScript handles the QR code generation.

Now, let’s find out how you can create an HTML QR code using these tools.

Step 1: Create an HTML file

First, you need an HTML to create QR code. Start by creating a file named index.html. This file will hold the structure of the QR code generator. 

Next, in your file, add a text input where users can enter a URL or text, a button to generate the QR code, and an empty space where the QR code will appear. Here, you can also link to a library that actually generates the work. 

In the end, your HTML file will look like this: 

<!DOCTYPE html>

<html lang="en">

<head>

    <meta charset="UTF-8">

    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">

    <title>QR Code Generator</title>

    <!-- QR code generation library -->

    <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/davidshimjs/qrcodejs/qrcode.min.js"></script>

</head>

<body>

    <h1>Generate a QR Code</h1>

    <input type="text" id="qr-text" placeholder="Enter text or URL">

    <button onclick="generateQRCode()">Generate QR Code</button>

    <!-- QR code will appear here -->

    <div id="qrcode"></div>

    <script src="script.js"></script>

</body>

</html>

Step 2: Add the JavaScript

Create a second file named script.js. This is the file that reads user input and generates the QR code. 

When this second file is created, the script takes the entered text, clears any existing QR code, and creates a new one.

This is how your script file will look:

function generateQRCode() {

    const text = document.getElementById("qr-text").value.trim();

    if (!text) {

        alert("Please enter some text or a URL");

        return;

    }

    document.getElementById("qrcode").innerHTML = "";

    new QRCode(document.getElementById("qrcode"), {

        text: text,

        width: 150,

        height: 150

    });

}

Step 3: Save and open the file

Now you should save both the files we generated earlier in the same folder. Next, open the index.html file in any web browser.

Now, enter a URL or text, then click the generation button. 

That’s how you generate a QR code using HTML. 

Where HTML-based QR code generation falls short

Given the complexity of generating a QR code by using HTML and JavaScript, it’s worth taking a moment to understand where this approach falls short. This will help you decide quickly and confidently what works best for your needs.

1. HTML alone cannot generate QR codes

An HTML file alone cannot generate a QR code since it's only a markup language. You’ll have to combine HTML with JavaScript libraries or third-party APIs (Application Programming Interface) to turn the HTML file to QR code.

2. Knowledge of JavaScript is a necessity 

In JavaScript, even minor mistakes in the script can break the entire process. This makes a good working knowledge of JavaScript absolutely necessary.

3. Limited customization options

QR codes generated using HTML and JavaScript offer very limited customization options. As a result, you can’t easily tailor the design to match your brand identity.

4. No analytics or tracking

When you generate a QR code using HTML, you can’t access analytics or tracking features. For large-scale brand campaigns, these insights are essential to maintain full control and measure performance effectively.

5. HTML can create static QR codes only

Unlike dedicated QR code generators that offer dynamic QR codes, HTML only lets you create static ones. Thus, if you need to make changes later, you’ll have to regenerate the QR code from scratch.

6. Security limitations

HTML-based QR codes do not offer encryption, access control, password protection, or compliance features like ISO certifications. Therefore, there is no guarantee that your embedded data is protected.

7. Difficulty in maintenance

If you’re not quite familiar with coding or programming, managing an HTML-made QR code can be extremely difficult, as every update requires code changes, redeployment, and testing.

Why do you need an advanced QR code generator for HTML

Using a specialized QR code software lets you create a QR code without coding or technical expertise. 

It is compatible with automation platforms and provides a QR code API documentation that developers can use to generate QR codes directly in software applications. 

Some readily provide an HTML code, so you can easily embed the QR code you created on your website or any webpage without the hassle of coding.

A dedicated QR code generator also offers full customization options, making it easy to design QR codes that align with your brand identity.

In addition, it supports dynamic QR codes, enabling you to update their content after deployment and monitor their performance in real time.

These features are especially valuable for long-term campaigns and ongoing promotional activities, where flexibility and control are essential.

Landing page QR code: A no-code solution

A landing page QR code is a flexible and practical way to share mobile-optimized content through a single scan. It’s a solution available in advanced QR code software like QR TIGER.

This QR code opens a landing page that is hosted and managed directly within the QR code platform. 

You can design the page with your desired text, images, videos, links, buttons, and other interactive elements without writing a single line of code. There is also a “Code View” option if you want to do some coding yourself.

This makes it an ideal solution for marketers, business professionals, and campaign managers who want to align their QR codes with their brand’s image and communication goals.

How to create an HTML QR code (no coding)

To create a no-code QR code for a landing page, follow these simple steps:

1. Visit a dynamic QR code generator online.

2. Select the H5 QR code option from the solution dashboard.

3. Add and design your H5 page using the available web design elements.

4. Optional: For direct coding or programming, switch to Code View </>.

5. Once your page is ready, click generate to convert the HTML to QR code. 

6. Customize and download the QR code in high-quality image formats like PNG, SVG, or EPS.

7. To view the HTML code, click “Embed QR code” and copy.

Reminder: Before using a QR code in your campaigns or webpages, always test it to ensure it works smoothly across devices.

Why QR TIGER is the best QR code generator with HTML code

There are several advanced generators that let you create QR codes. But when it comes to ones with built-in HTML codes, we highly recommend QR TIGER. 

It’s a go-to choice for businesses and developers as their QR code generator for websites because of the following reasons:

• True in-platform creation: Allows you to create a custom QR code landing page entirely within the platform without relying on a separate website, CMS, or hosting provider.
• Editable even after printing: Its dynamic QR code for landing pages lets you update the contents of the landing page anytime, even after the QR code has been printed or distributed.
• No technical expertise required: A visual, section-based editor allows non-technical users to create and manage landing page QR codes with ease.
• Easy API integration: API documentation makes generating QR codes in other software applications faster, smoother, and more scalable by automating the entire process.
• HTML code on the go: QR TIGER automatically generates HTML code for your QR code, letting you embed it directly on your website without the hassle of manual coding.
• Greater branding control: It provides full control over both the landing page and the QR code design, including colors, layouts, and CTA tags that align with your brand identity.
• Secure and reliable hosting: QR TIGER prioritizes data security by complying with ISO 27001, GDPR, CCPA, and SSO standards, making it a trusted platform for companies with large-scale, long-term campaigns. 

Summing up

You already know how to generate a QR code using HTML and JavaScript, and where it falls short in terms of features and scalability.

We recommend using an advanced QR code generator with HTML code to make creating and managing your codes simple and stress-free.

You get complete control over your QR codes, whether it’s updating content, customizing the design to match your brand, tracking performance over time, or embedding them on a website.

FAQ

What software do I need for HTML?

For HTML, all you need is a simple text editor such as Notepad or TextEdit, or more feature-rich editors like VS Code. Once the file is saved with an .html extension, you can open it in any web browser, such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, to see how it looks.

What are the 7 basic tags of HTML?

Some of the most basic and commonly used tags include <html>, <head>, <title> 

<body>, <h1>, <p> and <a> .

Definition of terms

HTML - stands for Hyper Text Markup Language. It is the standard language that tells a web browser what content to show and how it is organized, such as text, images, links, buttons, and forms.

JavaScript - a programming language that allows web pages to respond to user actions, update content in real time, and perform logic without reloading the page.

API - stands for Application Programming Interface. It’s a set of rules and tools that let one application use features or data from another application without needing to know how it was built.