PDFConvertersOnline.comHow to make a contact QR code
- Fill in the details you want to share: name, phone, email, company, job title, website and address. Leave anything private empty.
- Watch the preview update as you type, then check that the test scan under the code passes.
- Download PNG for print or SVG for a designer, and put the code on your business card, badge, slide or email signature.
What goes into a vCard QR code
vCard is the standard file format address books use to exchange contacts; it is the same format as a .vcf file you get attached to an email. This generator writes version 3.0, which current iPhone and Android contact apps read. Your entries become labeled lines inside the code:
| Field | vCard line | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First and last name | N and FN | Stored separately so contacts sort correctly by last name |
| Phone | TEL | Saved as a mobile number; add the country code for international contacts |
| Company and job title | ORG and TITLE | |
| Website | URL | https:// is added if you leave it out |
| Address | ADR | Street, city, state, postal code and country as separate parts |
Commas, semicolons and line breaks inside a field are escaped as the vCard rules require, so an address such as Suite 4, Main Street stays in one piece. Open the section under the preview to read the exact text inside your code.
How phones add the contact
On an iPhone, the Camera app recognizes the code and shows a notification; tapping it opens a new contact card with your fields filled in, and the person taps Create New Contact. Most Android phones do the same through the camera app or Google Lens, offering to add the contact. Nothing is saved until the person scanning confirms it, so they can edit or drop fields first.
Keep it short so it scans easily
Unlike a link, a contact card puts every letter inside the pattern. A full card with a long address creates a dense code with many small squares, which needs to be printed bigger and scanned in good light. Some ways to keep it compact:
- Share one phone number and one email rather than every option you have.
- Skip the street address unless visitors really need it; a city and country is often enough.
- Use a short website address.
- Keep damage tolerance at Medium unless you add a logo.
On a standard business card, a vCard code around 2 to 2.5 cm (about an inch) wide usually works for a card held in the hand, as long as it keeps its white border and has strong contrast.
Where contact codes are useful
- Business cards, so people don't have to type your details from the card.
- Conference badges and booth signs.
- The last slide of a talk.
- Real estate signs and flyers, where a buyer wants the agent's number saved.
- Email signatures, for people reading on a computer and saving to their phone.
Private by design
Your phone number and address stay on your device: the code is drawn in the browser, there is no account and no server copy. Because the code is static, the details can't be updated later. If your number changes, make a new code. Want a plain link or Wi-Fi code instead? Use the QR Code Generator. To read a contact code on a laptop, try the QR Code Scanner, which can save it as a .vcf file.
More ways to use this tool
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a vCard QR code and a link to my profile?
A vCard code holds the contact details themselves, so it works offline and saves straight into the address book. A link opens a web page, which needs a connection and makes people save your details by hand.
Can I add a photo to the contact?
No. A photo is far too much data for a QR code that phones can read. Add your logo in the middle of the code instead, if you want it branded.
Can I add two phone numbers?
This form has one phone field to keep the code small and easy to scan. Put your main number there; people can call you for the rest.
Are my details stored anywhere?
No. Everything is generated in your browser and nothing you type is sent to a server.
Will it work with Outlook or Gmail contacts?
The code is read by the phone's camera, which then adds the contact to the phone's address book. If that address book syncs with Google or Outlook, the contact appears there too.