PDF QR Code Generator
Host a PDF, paste the public link below, download a print-ready QR. Free, no signup.
Paste a PDF linkHow to create a QR code for a PDF
Host your PDF
Upload your document to Google Drive, Dropbox, your own server, or any file-hosting service. Copy the public sharing link.
Paste the link into QR Gen
Drop the public URL into the form below. The QR code generates in your browser. For colors and logos, open the editor in URL mode.
Download and print
Customize colors, corner shapes, and size. Export as high-resolution PNG or SVG and drop it into your print layout.
Turn a PDF URL into a QR code
Google Drive, Dropbox, or any public https link works. The file is not uploaded here — only the URL is encoded.
Where PDF QR codes work best
Frequently asked questions
Can I generate a QR code directly from a PDF file?
QR codes encode URLs, not files. To link a QR code to a PDF, first upload the document to any hosting service (Google Drive, Dropbox, your website) so it has a public URL. Then paste that URL into QR Gen to create your code. When scanned, the PDF opens directly in the viewer's browser.
Will the QR code still work if I update the PDF?
Yes, as long as the URL stays the same. If you replace the file at the same hosted link, every QR code pointing to it will automatically serve the updated version. This is one of the biggest advantages of PDF QR codes — update once, distribute everywhere.
What file size limits apply?
QR Gen itself has no file size limit because the QR code only stores a URL, not the file. The size limit depends on your hosting provider. Google Drive supports files up to 5 TB; Dropbox up to 2 GB on free plans. For fast mobile loading, we recommend keeping PDFs under 10 MB. For tips on using PDF menus specifically, see our guide to QR code menus for restaurants.
Do people need a special app to scan the code?
No. Every modern smartphone camera (iPhone and Android) has a built-in QR scanner. Users simply point their camera at the code and tap the notification to open the PDF in their default browser or PDF viewer. No extra app required.
Is this really free?
Completely free. QR Gen runs entirely in your browser with no account, no watermark, and no scan limits. Your QR codes work forever — they are standard QR codes that any reader can decode, with no dependency on our service. You can also use our general QR code generator for other content types beyond PDFs.