A WhatsApp QR code is one of the quickest ways to let people message you. Instead of typing your number, saving a contact and searching for it in WhatsApp, they scan the code and a chat with you opens, sometimes with a message already written. Small businesses put them on shop counters, flyers and delivery bags; event organizers use them for group chats; freelancers add them to business cards.
There are two ways to get one: use WhatsApp's own QR codes inside the app, or build a click-to-chat link and turn it into a QR code yourself. This guide covers both, and when to use each.
Option 1: WhatsApp's built-in QR codes
The WhatsApp app can show a QR code for your account and for groups you manage. Menus move around between versions and between Android and iPhone, so if you do not see these exact steps, look for a small QR icon in settings or group info.
- Your contact QR code. Open Settings and tap the QR icon next to your name. Others scan it from inside WhatsApp to add you as a contact. You can usually reset this code later if you want to stop old copies from working.
- Group invite QR code. In a group's info screen, look for Invite via link. From there you can share the link or show its QR code. Admins can reset the link, which makes any old QR code stop working.
The built-in codes are convenient, but they are tied to WhatsApp's own links. If you want control over the exact link, a pre-filled message, or a code that matches your print design, build your own.
Option 2: A click-to-chat link turned into a QR code
WhatsApp supports a public link format called click to chat:
https://wa.me/<number>
When someone opens that link on a phone with WhatsApp, it starts a chat with that number. Because it is an ordinary web link, any QR code generator can encode it, including our free generator.
Format the number correctly
The number must be in full international format, digits only:
- Start with the country code.
- Leave out the plus sign, spaces, dashes and brackets.
- Leave out any leading zero or trunk prefix you would dial domestically.
| You would write | Use in the link |
|---|---|
| +1 (202) 555-0143 | https://wa.me/12025550143 |
| +44 07700 900123 (UK, with domestic 0) | https://wa.me/447700900123 |
The numbers above are fictional examples. Getting this formatting wrong is the most common reason a WhatsApp QR code opens an error instead of a chat, so test it before printing.
Add a pre-filled message (optional)
You can add text that appears in the person's message box, ready to send:
https://wa.me/12025550143?text=Hi%2C%20I%27d%20like%20to%20book%20a%20table
The message must be URL-encoded: spaces become %20, commas %2C, apostrophes %27, and so on. Many people write the message in a URL encoder tool or a spreadsheet formula (ENCODEURL in Excel or Google Sheets) and paste the result.
A pre-filled message is useful because:
- People know what to say. "Hi, I'm interested in the 2-bedroom on Main St" beats a blank chat.
- You know where they came from. Use a different message for your flyer, your shop window and your packaging, and you can tell which brought in the chat.
Keep it short. The person can still edit it before sending, and long messages make the QR code denser and harder to scan. Our post on how much data a QR code can hold explains why shorter is better.
Step by step with QR Studio
- Build your link, for example
https://wa.me/12025550143?text=Hi%20from%20your%20flyer. - Open the QR code generator and choose the URL mode.
- Paste the link and check the preview.
- Download as SVG for print or PNG for screens. See SVG vs PNG if you are unsure.
- Test it on at least two phones, ideally one Android and one iPhone, before you print anything.
The code is generated in your browser and is a static QR code: it holds the link directly, so it keeps working as long as the number does. The trade-off is that you cannot change the destination later. Read static vs dynamic QR codes for the details.
Make a free QR code for a link, WiFi or contact card — generated in your browser.
Open the free QR code generator →Which WhatsApp QR code should you use?
| Goal | Best option |
|---|---|
| Friends adding you as a contact | WhatsApp's built-in contact QR code |
| Customers messaging your business | wa.me link, ideally with a pre-filled message |
| Tracking which flyer or sign works | wa.me links with a different message on each |
| People joining a community or class group | Group invite QR code (reset it if it leaks) |
| Call, text or WhatsApp, their choice | A contact card QR code or a phone number QR code next to the WhatsApp one |
If you run a business, the WhatsApp Business app includes extra tools such as business profiles and quick replies, which pair well with a QR code that brings new customers into a chat.
Design and printing tips
A WhatsApp QR code follows the same rules as any other:
- Add a clear call to action. "Scan to WhatsApp us" or "Scan to order on WhatsApp" tells people what will happen. See QR code call to action examples.
- Print the number too. Some people cannot or will not scan. Writing the number below the code helps them, and also helps people using screen readers. See QR code accessibility.
- Size it for the distance. A business card code can be small; a window sign needs to be much bigger. Use our QR code size guide.
- Keep strong contrast and a quiet zone. Dark code on a light background, with clear space around it. See QR code colors that scan.
- A WhatsApp-green design can work, as long as the modules are dark enough against the background. Test before printing.
Privacy and safety
- Your number is visible. Anyone who scans a
wa.mecode can see your phone number. For public places, consider a separate business number. - Group links let anyone join. If a group invite QR code ends up somewhere public, reset the link. Some versions let admins require approval for new members; check your group settings.
- Do not confuse it with WhatsApp Web. WhatsApp Web and desktop show a QR code that links a device to your account. Only scan that type from a screen you opened yourself, and never scan a "login" code someone sends you. Our guide on how to check if a QR code is safe explains common QR scams.
Troubleshooting
- An error says the phone number is invalid. The number is badly formatted or not on WhatsApp. Remove the plus sign, spaces and leading zeros and try again.
- The message is cut off or garbled. Something is not URL-encoded. Re-encode the text.
- Opens a web page instead of the app. The scanner may have opened the link in a browser first; tapping through usually opens WhatsApp. If WhatsApp is not installed, the page offers to download it.
- The code will not scan at all. See QR code not scanning.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a QR code for my WhatsApp number?
Build the link https://wa.me/ followed by your number in international format without the plus sign, then paste it into a QR code generator in URL mode.
Can a WhatsApp QR code include a message?
Yes. Add ?text= and your URL-encoded message to the link. The message appears ready to send, and the person can edit it first.
Do WhatsApp QR codes expire?
A QR code you make from a wa.me link does not expire; it works as long as the number uses WhatsApp. Codes from the app can stop working if you reset them.
Can someone scan a WhatsApp QR code without the app?
The scan opens a web page that explains WhatsApp is needed. That is why printing your number or another contact option next to the code is a good idea.
Make a free QR code for a link, WiFi or contact card — generated in your browser.
Open the free QR code generator →