How to Make a Wi-Fi QR Code So Guests Can Connect Instantly

“What’s the Wi-Fi password?” is one of the most common questions in any home, office, café or holiday rental. Long, secure passwords are a pain to read out and easy to mistype. A Wi-Fi QR code solves the problem: guests point their phone camera at it and tap to join, with no typing at all.

How Wi-Fi QR codes work

A Wi-Fi QR code stores your network details in a standard text format that phones understand:

WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyNetwork;P:MyPassword;;

Here T is the security type, S is the network name (SSID) and P is the password. When a phone camera reads this, it recognizes it as Wi-Fi information and offers a “Join network” button. Both iPhone (iOS 11 and later) and most Android phones (Android 10 and later) support this directly in the camera app.

Create your Wi-Fi QR code in 4 steps

1. Open our free QR Code Generator and choose the Wi-Fi tab.
2. Enter your network name exactly as it appears in your phone’s Wi-Fi list. It is case-sensitive.
3. Enter the password and choose the security type. Most modern routers use WPA2 or WPA3, which both use the “WPA” option. Tick Hidden network only if your network name is not broadcast.
4. Download the code as PNG to share on screen, or SVG for sharp printing.

The QR code is generated in your browser, so your Wi-Fi password is never sent to our servers.

Test it before you print

Before printing, scan the code with at least two different phones, ideally one iPhone and one Android. If a phone shows the network but fails to connect, double-check the password and the security type. Special characters such as ;, :, , and \ in your network name or password are escaped automatically by our generator.

Where to display your Wi-Fi QR code

• Homes and holiday rentals: frame it near the entrance or on the fridge, or include it in your welcome booklet.
• Cafés and restaurants: print it on table tents, menus or the counter.
• Offices: place it in meeting rooms and reception, ideally for a separate guest network.
• Events: add it to badges, signs or the presentation’s first slide.

Print the code at least 3–4 cm (about 1.5 inches) wide for close-range scanning, and larger for signs that people scan from a distance.

Keep your network secure

A Wi-Fi QR code contains your password in readable form, so anyone who can photograph the code can join your network. A few simple habits keep things safe:

• Use a guest network. Most routers can create a separate network for visitors that cannot see your computers, printers or smart-home devices. Share the guest network in the QR code, not your main one.
• Use a strong password. Because nobody needs to type it, you can use a long random password. Create one with our Password Generator, using 16 characters or more.
• Change it occasionally, for example after a busy rental season, and print a new code.
• Don’t post it publicly online unless the network is meant to be public.

Frequently asked questions

Do Wi-Fi QR codes expire?

No. The details are stored in the code itself, so it works as long as your network name and password stay the same.

Can I add my logo to the QR code?

Choose the High error-correction level, which lets the code survive about 30% damage, then place a small logo in the center using an image editor. Keep the logo small and always test the result.

Why doesn’t my old phone recognize the code?

Some older phones need a QR scanner app instead of the camera. Many Android phones also offer Wi-Fi QR scanning in Settings → Wi-Fi.