Why do rounded QR codes still scan?

A scanner doesn't look at the edges of a QR code's squares. It finds the three big corner squares, lays a grid over the code and checks whether the middle of each cell is dark or light. Rounding the corners of the small squares, called modules, only changes the edges, so the code reads the same. That's why styled QR codes on posters and packaging often have dots and soft corners.

Tool description

The Rounded QR Code Generator turns any text or link into a QR code with rounded modules. Neighboring dark modules join into one smooth shape, and only the outer corners get rounded, so the code looks clean and not like a grid of separate dots. The three corner squares get rounded corners to match.

Set the roundness from 0% (classic square modules) to 100% (a lone module becomes a circle), pick the error correction level and the colors, then download the code as PNG, JPG, WebP or SVG. Raster images are at least 1024 pixels wide, with whole pixels per module so the edges stay sharp. SVG keeps the shapes as vectors for print.

Features

  • Roundness from square to fully rounded modules and corner squares
  • Custom QR code and background colors
  • PNG, JPG, WebP and SVG downloads

Tips

Keep enough contrast between the two colors, and keep the code darker than its background. Many older scanners can't read light codes on a dark background.