Should I export my QR code as PNG, SVG, or PDF?

SVG for anything printed large, resized, or sent to a designer — it's vector and stays sharp at any size. PNG for screens (websites, emails, social posts) and for small prints at a fixed size, as long as it's high-resolution. PDF when a print shop asks for one.

What's the difference between vector and raster for a QR code?

Vector (SVG, and PDFs built from vector shapes) stores the code as scalable shapes, so it stays sharp at any size. Raster (PNG, JPEG) stores a fixed grid of pixels — scale it beyond its native resolution and it blurs, which can cause scan failures on large prints.

Is Capy QR's PDF export vector?

Not today. Capy QR's PDF is a print-ready A4 page with your QR code embedded as a high-resolution image (up to 3200 px — about 480 DPI at the printed size), which is plenty for anything up to A4. For billboards, banners, or a print shop that needs vector, download the SVG.

Where can I get a sample QR code PNG?

Right on this page: download the free sample QR code as PNG (1024 px or 256 px) or SVG. It points to capyqr.com, so it's safe to use in mockups, templates, and tests.

How do I download a QR code as PNG or SVG?

In Capy QR, pick a QR type, fill in your link or details, style it, choose a resolution from 512 to 3200 px, then click PNG, JPEG, SVG, or PDF. All formats are free, with no signup and no watermark.

Does file format affect how well a QR code scans?

Not directly — what matters is contrast and size relative to scan distance. But a raster file stretched beyond its native resolution can blur, which indirectly causes scan failures. Vector formats avoid that entirely.

QR Code PNG, SVG or PDF? Which to Use + Free Sample PNG (2026)

The 90-second version: SVG for print and anything that might be resized, PNG for screens and small fixed-size prints, PDF when a print shop asks for it. Below: why, a free sample QR code PNG and SVG to download, and how to export your own.

The core distinction: vector vs. raster

SVG is a vector format — it stores the QR code as mathematical shapes, so it scales to any size with perfectly sharp edges. PNG and JPEG are raster — a fixed grid of pixels. Scale a PNG beyond its native resolution and it blurs or pixelates, which is exactly what causes scan failures on a large poster or banner. PDF is a container: it can hold vector shapes or a raster image, depending on the tool that made it.

When to use each

SVG — for print, signage, and further editing. Vector, scales infinitely, and design tools (Illustrator, Figma, Inkscape, Canva) open it natively.
PNG — for screens and small, fixed-size prints. A website, an email signature, a social post, or a business card printed at a known size. Export at a high resolution — see QR code size for print for the pixels you need.
PDF — when a print shop asks for it.Check whether your tool's PDF is vector or an embedded image (see below for Capy QR).

Free sample QR code PNG and SVG

Need a placeholder for a mockup, a template, or a scanner test? Download this sample QR code — it points to capyqr.com, so it's safe to use anywhere:

For a code that opens your own link, make one in the free QR code generator — it takes about 30 seconds.

How to download a QR code as PNG or SVG

Open the Capy QR editor and pick a type — website, Wi-Fi, vCard, and more.
Fill in your link or details, then style it: colors, dot shape, logo, frame.
Choose a resolution — 512, 1024, 1600, 2400, or 3200 px — for PNG, JPEG, and PDF.
Click PNG, JPEG, SVG, or PDF. All free, no signup, no watermark.

What goes wrong if you pick the wrong one

A small PNG scaled up for print. The most common failure — a 300 px PNG stretched to poster size pixelates and can fail to scan entirely.
A screenshot used as the "file". Screenshots are low-resolution raster by definition — re-export from the generator instead.
Vector used on screen. Not a problem, just unnecessary — PNG is simpler and universally supported for web use.

Build yours in the editor → capyqr.com

Free SVG QR code generator: how Capy QR handles formats

Capy QR is a free SVG QR code generator: every code exports as vector SVG, plus PNG and JPEG from 512 to 3200 px, with no watermark and no signup. Its PDF is a print-ready A4 page with the code embedded as a high-resolution image (up to 3200 px — roughly 480 DPI at the printed size), which is plenty for flyers, cards, and anything up to A4. For billboards, banners, or a print shop that insists on vector, send the SVG — any design tool can save it as a vector PDF or EPS. More on keeping files vector in QR code vector export.

A vector-ready code

Here's a Capy QR — download it as SVG and it stays this sharp at any print size:

A Mono-preset QR — maximum contrast, and vector when exported as SVG.

Frequently asked questions

Should I export my QR code as PNG, SVG, or PDF?: SVG for anything printed large, resized, or sent to a designer — it's vector and stays sharp at any size. PNG for screens (websites, emails, social posts) and for small prints at a fixed size, as long as it's high-resolution. PDF when a print shop asks for one.
What's the difference between vector and raster for a QR code?: Vector (SVG, and PDFs built from vector shapes) stores the code as scalable shapes, so it stays sharp at any size. Raster (PNG, JPEG) stores a fixed grid of pixels — scale it beyond its native resolution and it blurs, which can cause scan failures on large prints.
Is Capy QR's PDF export vector?: Not today. Capy QR's PDF is a print-ready A4 page with your QR code embedded as a high-resolution image (up to 3200 px — about 480 DPI at the printed size), which is plenty for anything up to A4. For billboards, banners, or a print shop that needs vector, download the SVG.
Where can I get a sample QR code PNG?: Right on this page: download the free sample QR code as PNG (1024 px or 256 px) or SVG. It points to capyqr.com, so it's safe to use in mockups, templates, and tests.
How do I download a QR code as PNG or SVG?: In Capy QR, pick a QR type, fill in your link or details, style it, choose a resolution from 512 to 3200 px, then click PNG, JPEG, SVG, or PDF. All formats are free, with no signup and no watermark.
Does file format affect how well a QR code scans?: Not directly — what matters is contrast and size relative to scan distance. But a raster file stretched beyond its native resolution can blur, which indirectly causes scan failures. Vector formats avoid that entirely.

Bottom line: SVG for print, PNG for screens and small fixed-size prints — and grab the sample files above if you just need a test code. Ready to export your own? Open the free QR code generator or browse more QR guides.