PDFConvertersOnline.comHow to make a Wi-Fi QR code
- Type your network name exactly as it appears in the Wi-Fi list, then the password.
- Choose the security type (most routers use WPA/WPA2/WPA3) and tick hidden network only if yours doesn't broadcast its name.
- Download the PNG, print it and put it where guests can see it, or copy the image into a welcome sheet.
What a Wi-Fi QR code contains
A Wi-Fi code is a short piece of text in a format that phones recognize. It looks like this:
WIFI:T:WPA;S:Cafe Guest;P:espresso2024;;
T is the security type, S the network name (SSID), P the password, and an optional H:true marks a hidden network. If your name or password includes a backslash, semicolon, comma, colon or quotation mark, those characters must be escaped with a backslash, or the phone reads the password wrong. The generator does that for you, so a password like a;b:c still works. You can open the section below the preview to see the exact text inside your code.
Why guests like it
Long random passwords are the safe choice for a router, but they are painful to read off a sticker and type on a phone keyboard. With the code, a visitor points the camera at it, taps the notification and is online. It works well for:
- Holiday rentals and guest rooms: frame it next to the house rules.
- Cafes, waiting rooms and offices: print it on table cards or at reception.
- Events and meetings: put it on the first slide.
- Home: tape it inside a kitchen cupboard for visiting family.
Which phones can scan it
iPhones running iOS 11 or later read Wi-Fi codes with the built-in Camera app and offer to join the network. On Android, the camera app or Google Lens reads them on most current phones, and Android 10 and later can also scan a code from the Add network screen in Wi-Fi settings. Laptops usually have no camera scanner, so keep the network name and password written somewhere too, or let people read the code with our QR Code Scanner and copy the password.
Choosing the right security setting
| Setting | When to use it |
|---|---|
| WPA/WPA2/WPA3 | Almost every router made in the last fifteen years. Pick this if unsure. |
| WEP | Only very old equipment. WEP is easy to crack; if your router still uses it, switch to WPA2 or WPA3 in its settings. |
| No password | Open networks, such as a hotspot with a sign-in page. |
If the phone says it can't join, check the network name first: it is case-sensitive, and a trailing space counts. Then check the password letter by letter.
Security: treat the printout like the password
Anyone who can photograph the code can read the password from it, because the password is stored in plain text inside the pattern. So put the code where only your guests can see it, not in a window facing the street. A good setup is a separate guest network on your router, which keeps visitors away from your own computers and printers, with its own password that you can change now and then. When you change it, simply make a new code. Nothing typed here is sent to a server, so the password stays on your device while you create the image. Need a strong new password? Make one with the Password Generator.
More ways to use this tool
Frequently asked questions
Does the Wi-Fi QR code expire?
No. It stores the network details directly and works until you change the network name or password. Then make a new code.
Is my Wi-Fi password sent to your server?
No. The code is built in your browser, so the password is typed and turned into an image on your own device. Nothing is transmitted, and the page keeps working with Wi-Fi switched off once it has loaded.
Why won't my phone connect after scanning?
Usually the network name or password doesn't match exactly (capitals, spaces), or the wrong security type was picked. Also make sure the phone is within range of the router.
Does it work for work networks with a username?
No. Enterprise networks that ask for a username as well as a password (WPA2-Enterprise) need extra settings that this generator doesn't create. It covers networks that use a single shared password, or none.
What size should I print it?
For a table card or a frame read from a short distance, about 4 to 6 cm (1.5 to 2.5 inches) wide is comfortable. Keep the white border around it.