How to make a contact QR code
- Name. First and last name are the only fields a phone needs to create the contact.
- Details. Add company, phone, email and website as needed. Write the phone number in international format (for example
+1 555 123 4567) so it works for people in other countries. - Test. Scan the preview with your phone and check the contact it offers to create.
- Download. Use SVG for business cards and other print, and PNG for email signatures and slides.
What happens when someone scans it
The phone reads the contact card from the code and shows a preview with an option to add it to contacts. Nothing is saved until the person confirms, and no internet connection is needed, because the details are stored in the code itself.
Business card tips
- Small, but not tiny. A contact code holds more data than a link, so its squares are finer. Print it at least 2 to 2.5 cm (about 1 in) wide on a business card and test the printed proof. More in the print size guide.
- Keep the margin. Downloads include a clear border around the code. Do not let text, graphics or the edge of the card crowd into it.
- Dark on light. Black or a dark brand color on a white or light background scans most reliably.
- Say what it is. A short label such as "Scan to save my contact" tells people why they should scan.
vCard code or dynamic link?
A vCard code works offline and does not depend on any service, but its content is fixed for good. A dynamic QR code points to a web page instead, such as your LinkedIn profile or a contact page on your site. You can change where it points at any time, and you can see how many people scanned it.
For cards you will hand out for years, dynamic is the safer choice. For a one-off event badge, a vCard code is simpler.
Would you rather people message you than save your number? A WhatsApp QR code opens a chat with you in one scan.
Want to update your card after it is printed? Create a dynamic code that links to your profile page, and change the destination whenever your details change.