Quick Response (QR) codes are a type of two-dimensional barcode that can store URLs, text, contact information, Wi-Fi credentials, and more. They bridge the physical and digital worlds by letting your phone instantly open a URL, send an SMS, or connect to a network by scanning with your native camera app.
Below are the useful formats you can use to generate a QR code.
Directs users to a specific web page.
Example:
https://www.google.com/
Starts a phone call automatically.
tel:+12345678900
Sends a pre-filled text message.
SMSTO:+12345678900:This is a sample text message
You can leave out the number—
SMSTO::This is a sample text message—to let the user choose the recipient after scanning.
Let users connect to Wi-Fi instantly without typing credentials.
WIFI:S:<SSID>;T:<WEP|WPA|blank>;P:<PASSWORD>;H:<true|false|blank>;
| Parameter | Optional? | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | Required | MyNetworkName | Network SSID. |
| T | Optional | WPA | Authentication type (WEP, WPA, or blank). |
| P | Optional | ThisIsMyPassword | Password (ignored if T is blank). |
| H | Optional | true | True if the network SSID is hidden. |
Generates a pre-written message in the user’s default email client.
mailto:info@example.com?subject=Issue%20with%20your%20product&body=Body%20goes%20here
Encodes professional contact information, which can be saved directly to a phone.
BEGIN:VCARD
N:Smith;John;
TEL;TYPE=work,VOICE:(111) 555-1212
EMAIL:smith.j@smithdesigns.com
ORG:Smith Designs LLC
TITLE:Lead Designer
URL:https://www.smithdesigns.com
VERSION:3.0
END:VCARD
| Field | Required? | Description |
|---|---|---|
| BEGIN / END | Required | Start and end tags for the vCard block. |
| N | Optional | Full name. |
| TEL;TYPE | Optional | Phone numbers and types (work, home, fax). |
| Optional | Email address. | |
| ORG | Optional | Company name. |
| TITLE | Optional | Professional title. |
| ADR | Optional | Address in structured format. |
| URL | Optional | Website link. |
| VERSION | Required | Version of the vCard spec (commonly 3.0). |
Allows users to add events directly to their calendars.
BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//hacksw/handcal//NONSGML v1.0//EN
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:uid1@example.com
DTSTAMP:19970714T170000Z
ORGANIZER;CN=John Doe:MAILTO:john.doe@example.com
DTSTART:19970714T170000Z
DTEND:19970715T035959Z
SUMMARY:Bastille Day Party
GEO:48.85299;2.36885
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR
See the iCalendar specification →
Used for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital wallets to request payments or display addresses.
bitcoin:1GdK9UzpHBzqzX2A9JFP3Di4weBwqgmoQA?amount=0.015&label=Bob%27s%20Cafe&message=Purchase%20at%20Bob%27s%20Cafe
Links directly to specific mobile app store pages.
https://apps.apple.com/app/id000000000
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.example.app
Opens a user’s map app and displays a specific location.
geo:48.8588443,2.2943506?q=Eiffel%20Tower
Displays custom text, notes, or a verification code when scanned.
Hello World!