Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi QR code: scan instead of typing the password
Reading out a 20-character Wi-Fi password, spelling it, “was that a lowercase L or a one?” – a Wi-Fi QR code ends all that. Guests point their phone camera at it and they are connected. Here is how to create one, where to put it and what to keep in mind about security.
Get started: enter network name and password in the QR Code Generator, download, print. Your password never leaves your browser.
Create a Wi-Fi QR codeThe short version
- In the QR Code Generator, choose Wi-Fi.
- Enter network name (SSID) and password – case matters.
- Leave security on WPA/WPA2/WPA3 (right for almost every router).
- Test with your own phone, then save as PDF or PNG and print.
Your password stays with you. The code is generated entirely in your browser. The Wi-Fi password is never sent to a server and not even stored locally.
Step by step
- Look up the credentials. Network name and password are in your router’s settings or on the sticker on the router (“Wi-Fi key”, “network key”).
- Choose the type. In the QR Code Generator, click Wi-Fi.
- Enter the details. Copy network name and password character by character. A trailing space or a wrong capital letter is enough to make joining fail.
- Design it. Pick a preset and, under “Frame”, for example Band below with the label “Wi-Fi” or “Guest Wi-Fi” so visitors know what the code is for.
- Check. The readability check result appears next to the preview. Also scan it once with your own phone – ideally after “forgetting” the network on that phone.
- Save. For print, choose the PDF width (e.g. 80 mm) and click “PDF”; for screens or messengers, use PNG.
The right settings
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Network name (SSID) | The name phones show in the Wi-Fi list. Spell it exactly the same, including spaces and special characters. |
| Security | WPA/WPA2/WPA3 for practically all current routers. WEP only for very old devices. None for open networks without a password. |
| Password | The Wi-Fi key – not the password of the router’s admin page. |
| Hidden network | Only tick this if the router does not broadcast the network name. The phone then looks for that name specifically. |
Inside the code is a short text in a fixed format, for example WIFI:T:WPA;S:Guests;P:secret123;;. Special characters such as semicolons, colons or commas in the name or password are escaped automatically – you don’t have to worry about them.
Enter your guest network and password, pick a frame labelled “Wi-Fi”, save a print-ready PDF – done.
Where to put the code
- At home: a small print on the fridge, in the hallway or the guest room. In a picture frame it even looks tidy.
- Holiday rentals and hotels: in the welcome folder, on a stand by the entrance or on the back of the house rules.
- Cafés, practices, offices: at the counter or in the waiting area – at eye level, well lit, not behind reflective glass.
- Events: large on a poster. Rule of thumb: scanning distance divided by 10 gives the required width (more in the guide to QR code size).
For a business-card-sized print, 3–4 cm per side is enough; for a table stand, 6–8 cm.
Security: what to know
A Wi-Fi QR code is a printed password. Anyone who photographs it can join later – even from outside, as long as they are in range. So:
- Use a guest network. Most routers offer guest access. Guests get internet, but not your printer, NAS or smart home devices.
- Not in the shop window. Only display codes publicly for networks that are meant to be public.
- New password = new code. The QR code contains the password itself. If you change it on the router, print a new code. That is true for every Wi-Fi QR code – including “dynamic” ones from paid services.
When joining fails
| Symptom | Cause and fix |
|---|---|
| Camera shows nothing | Code too small, covered or reflecting. Some older Android phones only read QR codes through Google Lens or a scanner app. |
| “Unable to join” or wrong password | A typo in the password or network name. “Show encoded data” in the generator shows exactly what is inside the code. |
| Phone cannot find the network | The network is hidden – tick “Hidden network”. Or the phone is out of range or only supports 2.4 GHz. |
| Only some devices can join | WPA3-only networks don’t work with older devices. Switch the router to “WPA2 + WPA3” mixed mode. |
| Router uses a MAC filter | New devices must be allowed in the router first – regardless of the QR code. |
Routers and phones can do it too
Router apps
Many routers and their apps can show a QR code for the main or guest network and print an info sheet. You can’t design that code, though.
Android
Since Android 10, tapping “Share” on the connected network in the Wi-Fi settings shows a QR code – handy in the moment, but not for printing.
iPhone
iPhones prefer sharing Wi-Fi passwords directly with nearby contacts. For guests who are not in your contacts, a printed code is the simpler option.
This generator
Your own design, a labelled frame, a readability check and a print PDF at an exact size – and the password never leaves your browser.
Create your Wi-Fi QR code
Enter network name and password, choose a design, save as PNG, SVG or PDF – free, no sign-up, no upload.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Wi-Fi QR code free?
Yes. The QR Code Generator is free, with no sign-up and no watermark. The code never expires.
Is my Wi-Fi password stored or uploaded?
No. The code is created only in your browser. The password is neither sent to a server nor stored in the browser.
Does it work with an iPhone?
Yes. The iPhone Camera app recognizes Wi-Fi QR codes and offers to join the network.
Does it work with Android?
Yes. On most Android phones the camera app recognizes the code directly; otherwise use Google Lens or the “Scan QR code” quick setting.
What happens if I change my Wi-Fi password?
The old code stops working because the password is stored in the code itself. Create a new code and replace the old print.
Which security type should I choose?
“WPA/WPA2/WPA3” for almost every router. “WEP” only for very old routers, “None” for open networks without a password.
Can someone access my home network with the code?
Whoever joins is on the same network as your devices. For guests, use your router’s guest network – it is separated from your home network.
Sources
- Barcode Contents, ZXing project – the common formats for Wi-Fi, contacts, SMS and events.
- ISO/IEC 18004:2015 – QR Code bar code symbology specification, ISO.
- jsQR – the open-source decoder behind the in-browser readability check.