What a contact QR code does
A contact QR code (also called a vCard QR code) holds your contact details. When someone scans it, their phone shows your card and offers to save it. No typing your name or getting a digit wrong.
People put them on business cards, name badges at events, the back of a phone case, email signatures, shop counters and estate agent signs.
How to make one
- Choose Contact card at the top.
- Fill in what you want people to save. You need at least a name or a company.
- Phone numbers work best with the country code, for example +44 7700 900123.
- Check for the green Scans well note, then download.
Commas, semicolons and line breaks in your details are handled for you, so “Tea, Ltd” stays “Tea, Ltd”.
Keep it small and simple
A contact code holds more text than a link, so it has more squares. That matters on a business card, where the code may be only 2 cm wide.
- Fill in only the fields people really need.
- Leave the Note empty unless it matters.
- Use the Large download size for print, so the squares stay sharp.
- For very small cards, choose Styled code or a lower photo strength.
If your card is crowded, another option is a URL code that links to an online profile page. The link code is simpler, and you can update the page later.
Test before printing
Scan the code from your screen with an iPhone and an Android phone if you can. Check that every field lands in the right place: mobile in mobile, work phone in work, and so on. Then print one card and scan it again before ordering a full box.
A photo code on a business card
A small photo of your face or your logo inside the code makes the card memorable. Choose a photo with one clear subject, keep the white border, and print the code at least 2.5 cm wide.
Questions people ask
What is a vCard?
A vCard is the standard format phones use for contact cards. It holds a name, phone numbers, email, company, website and address. The QR code stores a vCard, so the phone knows to offer Add to contacts.
Will it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes. The iPhone camera and Android camera apps both read contact codes and offer to save the contact. We use vCard version 3.0, which every current phone understands.
How much can I put in one code?
Quite a lot, but every field makes the code busier. For a small business card, a name, one phone number, an email and a website is a good limit. Leave out the address and note if the code gets too dense.
Can I update my details later?
No. The details are stored inside the code. If your number or job changes, make a new code.
Is my contact information stored anywhere?
No. The code is made in your browser and nothing you type is sent to us.