What a WiFi QR code does
A WiFi QR code encodes your network credentials in a format that phone cameras understand natively. When a user scans it, iOS and Android both offer to join the network immediately - no app required, no typing. The user never sees the password.
This is the most practical use of a QR code for any physical space with a guest network: cafes, offices, short-term rentals, waiting rooms, event venues, and retail stores.
Generate the code
Use the WiFi QR code generator on this site. You will need to enter:
Network name (SSID). This is the name of the WiFi network as it appears in the list when someone searches for networks. It is case-sensitive. Copy it from your router settings or from the WiFi list on your own phone - do not type it from memory.
Password. Your WiFi password. If your network has no password, select "None" for the security type. If you have WPA2 or WPA3, the password field is required.
Security type. Select WPA/WPA2 for most home and business routers. WEP is an older standard that is effectively deprecated. If you are unsure, WPA is correct for anything set up in the last ten years.
Hidden network. If your network does not broadcast its SSID, check this option. For most networks this should be left unchecked.
What happens to the password
The password is encoded directly into the QR code as text and does not leave your browser. Nothing is sent to any server. This also means there is nothing to revoke - if you change your WiFi password, you need to generate a new QR code.
For a guest network with regular password rotation, you have two options:
- Reprint the QR code each time the password changes
- Use a link-based approach instead (generate a URL QR code that points to a page that displays the current password)
Error correction and logo placement
For a WiFi QR code that will be placed in a hospitality context, use H (high) error correction. This adds some density to the code but allows up to 30% of the code area to be obscured or damaged while still scanning correctly. If you want to add a WiFi symbol or logo to the centre of the code, high error correction is what makes that possible.
With H error correction, a logo covering no more than 15–20% of the QR code area will typically still scan reliably.
Where to place the code
Printed card on each table. The most common approach. Print the code clearly, at 50 mm or larger, with a brief instruction: "Join our WiFi - scan with your camera". Include the network name and password in plain text below for guests who are not comfortable with QR codes.
Framed print near the entrance or counter. Good for waiting rooms, offices, and reception areas. Larger format (A5 or A4) with high-quality printing.
Sticker near the router. Good for short-term rentals and offices where guests may be given physical access to the router room.
On your menu, receipt, or packaging. If you already have printed materials with a QR code for another purpose, a WiFi QR code alongside it adds practical value.
Always include the password in text
The WiFi QR code makes the process faster, but it does not replace the password for users who cannot scan QR codes - older phones, users with accessibility needs, or those who simply prefer to type it in. Always print the network name and password in plain text somewhere visible. The QR code and the text should coexist, not replace each other.
Testing
Scan the code with your own phone before printing. Confirm that it connects to the correct network. Test on both iOS and Android if possible. On iOS, the prompt says "Join [Network Name]?" - confirm this shows the correct network name. On Android, the behaviour depends on the version but will typically show a connection prompt.
If the code scans but shows an "Incorrect password" error, the password was entered with a typo. The code itself is valid - just regenerate it with the correct password.
Print size
For table placement at typical reading distance (30–50 cm), print the WiFi QR code at 40–60 mm wide. If it is on a wall at 1 metre distance, go to 100 mm or larger. Use the QR print size checker if you need a precise minimum size for your intended placement.