Free Tool

Free WhatsApp QR Code Generator

Make a WhatsApp QR code that opens a chat with your number and a ready-to-send message. Print it on menus, counters, flyers and visiting cards. Free, no signup.

Country

Phone number

National number without country code. Spaces and dashes will be stripped.

Prefilled message (optional)

0/1000 characters. Plain text only; WhatsApp does not render markdown.

Your WhatsApp QR code

Enter a country and phone number to make your WhatsApp QR code.

No signup required

Free forever

GDPR compliant

Quick Answer

A WhatsApp QR code is a scannable code that opens a WhatsApp chat with your number, often with a message already typed. Enter your country, phone number and an optional message, tap Create QR code, and download a PNG or SVG. Customers scan, tap Send, and the chat starts. Works with personal and Business numbers.

Quick Facts

The code holds a short U2L link, such as u.gy/ab12cd, that redirects to your wa.me click-to-chat link. The pattern stays small and simple however long your message is.
A scan opens a chat with your number and your message already in the text box. The customer can edit it and still taps Send themselves; nothing is sent automatically.
Customers do not need to save your number first. It works with personal WhatsApp numbers and WhatsApp Business numbers alike.
It is not the QR code in your WhatsApp settings, which shares your contact, or the WhatsApp Web code, which signs a computer into an account and must never be shared.
PNG for screens, SVG for print, in a fixed dark-on-white design with a margin built in. For colors, a logo or a frame, use U2L's QR code generator.
No signup needed, and no expiry date is set. The short link is fixed to that exact wa.me link, so a new number or message means a new code.
The wa.me link is built in your browser as you type. Your number and message go to U2L only when you tap Create QR code.

How to make a WhatsApp QR code

Four steps, about a minute. The wa.me link updates live as you type.

1
Enter your number and message
Pick your country (India is selected first) or choose 'Other' and type the dial code. Enter the number without the country code, such as 98765 43210; spaces and dashes are removed. Then add the message customers will send, such as 'Hi, I'd like to order for home delivery', or leave it empty.
2
Create the QR code
Check the wa.me link in the result panel, tap Open in WhatsApp to confirm it reaches the right chat, then tap Create QR code. Changing the number or message in the form clears the code, so every download matches the link you see.
3
Download PNG or SVG
Scan the code on your screen with your phone first. Then download the PNG for WhatsApp Status, social posts and slides, or the SVG for anything that goes to a printer: menus, stickers, standees, packaging and cards.
4
Print, place and test
Print the code at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) wide, add a line such as 'Scan to chat with us on WhatsApp', and scan the printed copy with an iPhone and an Android phone before you put up a whole batch.

What is a WhatsApp QR Code Generator?

WhatsApp QR Code Generator is a free tool that makes a WhatsApp QR code: a printable code that opens a WhatsApp chat with your phone number and, if you like, a message already typed in. A customer points a phone camera at it, taps the link, and lands in a chat with you, ready to send.

The phrase 'WhatsApp QR code' covers three different things. WhatsApp's settings show a personal QR code that lets someone add you as a contact. WhatsApp Web and the desktop app show a login code on a computer screen, which you scan from your phone to link that computer to your account. The third kind, made here, is a click-to-chat code for customers, built from your number and a ready message.

Click-to-chat is WhatsApp's own link format: wa.me/ followed by your full international number, with no plus sign, leading zeros, brackets or dashes. Adding ?text= puts a message in the chat box. A QR code moves that link off the screen and onto paper, so someone standing at your counter can reach you without typing a number.

This generator puts a short link inside the code rather than the wa.me address itself. A wa.me link with a message gets long fast, and a long link means a denser, harder-to-scan pattern. The short link keeps the code at the simplest practical size. It always leads to the exact chat and message you entered, so check both before you print.

These codes belong wherever a conversation starts on paper: a kirana store counter, a restaurant table, a tuition flyer, a clinic desk or a parcel insert. The customer gets a familiar chat instead of a form, and you get a message that already says what they want.

How does a WhatsApp QR Code Generator work?

Everything starts in your browser. The form joins the country dial code and your national number, strips anything that is not a digit, and URL-encodes your message so spaces, line breaks, emoji and non-Latin scripts survive the trip. The result is a link in the form https://wa.me/919876543210?text=Hi%2C%20I'd%20like%20to%20order, shown live as you type. Nothing is sent anywhere yet.

When you tap Create QR code, the page sends that wa.me link to U2L, which runs its link-safety checks and creates a short link on u.gy or u2l.ai (the domain is picked automatically). The QR code is then drawn from the short link, not from the wa.me address: dark rounded modules (#0f172a) on white, error correction level M, which lets a scanner recover roughly 15% of a scuffed code, and a white quiet zone built into both downloads.

When a customer scans, the phone camera decodes the pattern and shows the short link, then waits for a tap. The browser opens the short link, U2L redirects it to your wa.me link, and the phone hands that link to WhatsApp. Depending on the phone and browser, WhatsApp opens straight into the chat, or WhatsApp's own wa.me page appears first with a button to continue. Either way the customer sees your message in the text box, can change it, and taps Send.

The short link is what keeps the code easy to scan. A plain wa.me link with no message is 26 characters and fits a 25x25 grid. Add 'Hi! I would like to book a table for tonight.' and it grows to 95 characters and a 41x41 grid. Non-Latin text grows even faster, because each character becomes several percent-codes: the short Hindi line 'नमस्ते, मुझे ऑर्डर करना है' adds 204 characters and pushes the code to 61x61. A U2L short link stays at about 20 characters and 25x25, whatever the message says, so each module prints larger at the same size.

Short links made here have no expiry date set, and each one is fixed to the exact wa.me link it was made for. They cannot be edited or counted afterwards, so if your number or message changes, make and print a new code. For a code you can track and repoint, create it in a free U2L account or with U2L's QR code generator.

Use Cases

How marketers, businesses, and developers use whatsapp qr code generator.

Shop counters and billing desks

A standee at a kirana store, pharmacy or bakery counter that says 'Scan to order on WhatsApp', with 'Hi, I'd like to order for home delivery' prefilled. Regulars send their list without calling.

Restaurant tables and menus

Print a different code for each table with a message like 'Hi, this is table 7'. Diners can ask for the bill, order more or send feedback, and staff know exactly where the message came from.

Tuition and coaching flyers

Tutors and coaching centers put a code on pamphlets with 'Hi, I'd like details about the Class 10 maths batch'. Parents ask about fees and timings in a chat.

Clinic and lab reception

A code at the front desk or on the appointment card with 'Hi, I'd like to book an appointment'. Patients can ask about timings and reports, and the front desk replies when it is free. Keep emergency numbers printed separately.

Visiting and business cards

A small code on the back of a card opens a chat with you, with a message like 'Hi, we met at the trade fair'. Nobody has to type your number, and you remember where you met.

Product packaging and inserts

Put a code on the box, label or thank-you card with 'Hi, I'd like to reorder' or 'Hi, I need help with my order'. Customers reach you for refills and support without hunting for a contact page.

Posters, banners and pamphlets

Event posters, shop-opening banners and newspaper inserts carry a code with the offer named in the message, so replies show which campaign people saw.

Delivery bags and invoices

Tiffin services, laundries and local delivery businesses print a code on the bag or bill that says 'Scan to reorder'. The next order arrives as a chat, not a call at the busiest hour.

Property signs and brochures

Real-estate agents add a code to a board or brochure with the listing prefilled, such as 'Hi, I'm interested in the 2BHK on MG Road'. The agent knows which property the buyer means from the first message.

WhatsApp QR Code Generator vs Alternatives

Side-by-side feature and pricing comparison with the top alternatives.

Feature	U2L	WhatsApp's own QR codes	Typical free QR generators	Paid QR platforms
Free to create				Paid plans
Prefilled message	Up to 1,000 characters	Business app default message	Varies
Any number you enter, personal or Business		Your own account only	Varies
Different code per table, flyer or product		Business Platform only	Varies
Scan counts	With a free account		Varies
Change the number behind a printed code	With a free account		Varies
SVG download for print		Shares an image	Varies
Signup required	No	WhatsApp account	Varies	Yes

WhatsApp QR Code Generator vs WhatsApp's own QR codes

WhatsApp's settings show a personal QR code for your account. Someone who scans it can add you as a contact, which is handy when swapping numbers in person. Sharing it shares your number, and you can reset it so old copies stop working. It carries no message and always belongs to your own account.

The WhatsApp Web and desktop code is different again. It appears on a computer screen, and scanning it from a phone signs that computer into the phone's account. It changes regularly and is never meant to be printed or sent. Never scan one that someone else sends you: it is a known trick for taking over accounts.

The WhatsApp Business app also makes a short link and QR code for your business, with a default message customers can edit before sending, and you can print it for your store. It is official, free and a fine choice for one number with one message. This generator adds codes for any number, a message per placement and SVG files. For scan counts and a destination you can change, create the code in a free U2L account instead.

WhatsApp QR Code Generator vs a QR of the raw wa.me link

Any QR generator can encode a wa.me link directly, and it will work. The catch is size: a 45-character message turns a 25x25 code into a 41x41 one, and Hindi, Arabic or Tamil text grows it further. Denser codes must be printed larger and are fussier in dim light. The number and message are also fixed, so a new phone number means a reprint.

Encoding a U2L short link keeps the code at 25x25 regardless of the message. The trade-off is honest: scans pass through U2L's redirect on the way to wa.me, and a code made here is just as fixed as a raw one. If you want no middle step at all, copy the wa.me link shown above and use it in any static QR tool.

Best Practices

Use a number someone watches

A printed code invites messages at all hours. Point it at a number that is checked daily, ideally a WhatsApp Business number with greeting and away messages.

Write the message in the customer's voice

The prefilled text is sent by the customer, so write 'Hi, I'd like to order', not 'Thanks for contacting us'. One or two short sentences work best.

Put context in the message

Name the table, flyer, product or branch: 'Hi, I saw your Diwali offer poster'. Make a separate code for each placement, and you learn where chats come from without asking.

Tell people what the scan does

Print a clear line next to the code, such as 'Scan to chat on WhatsApp', and show your number in plain text too for people who would rather call.

Print it large enough

Keep it at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) wide for codes scanned at arm's length. For posters and banners, a common rule of thumb is about 1 cm of width per 10 cm of scanning distance.

Send the SVG to the printer

The PNG is sized for screens and chats. The SVG is vector artwork that stays sharp on a standee, banner or sticker, and print shops accept it.

Protect the quiet zone and contrast

Leave the white margin around the code untouched, keep it on a plain light background, and choose matte lamination for menus and table cards to avoid glare.

Plan for changes before a big print run

Codes made here are fixed to one number and message. If either might change, create the code in a free U2L account or with U2L's QR code generator, where you can count scans and point it at a new number later.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Printing the wrong WhatsApp code

Screenshots of the WhatsApp Web login code or the personal contact code end up on posters. Neither starts a customer chat with a message, and the login code should never leave your screen.

Keeping the leading zero

Most countries drop the trunk 0 in international format. A UK mobile written 07700 900123 becomes 447700900123. The form warns you when the number starts with 0.

Typing the country code twice

With India selected, typing +91 98765 43210 in the number field produces 9191... Pick the country in the list and type only the national number.

Expecting the message to send itself

A scan only opens the chat with the text ready. The customer still taps Send, and may edit or delete the message first.

Using a number you want kept private

Whoever scans the code sees the number in the chat. Use a shop, office or Business number rather than a personal one you do not want shared.

Skipping the paper test

A code that scans on screen can fail when printed small, glossy or behind plastic. Scan a printed copy from where customers stand before printing the batch.

Technical Specifications

Encoded content	A U2L short link, such as https://u.gy/ab12cd (u.gy or u2l.ai, picked automatically)
Final destination	https://wa.me/<country code + number>?text=<URL-encoded message>
Phone number format	Digits only: country code plus national number, no plus sign, spaces, dashes or leading 0
Prefilled message	Optional, up to 1,000 characters, plain text, URL-encoded in the browser
Error correction	Level M (recovers roughly 15% of a damaged code)
Grid size	25x25 modules for the short link; a raw wa.me link with a 45-character message would need 41x41
Design	Dark rounded modules (#0f172a) on white, quiet zone built in; colors, logos and frames are in U2L's QR code generator
Downloads	PNG (for screens) and SVG (vector, for print)
Signup	Not required; codes are fixed to one wa.me link and cannot be edited or counted later

Industry-Specific Use Cases

Restaurants, cafes and cloud kitchens

Table cards, menus and takeaway bags carry codes with the table or outlet in the message, so orders, bill requests and feedback arrive as labeled chats.

Retail and kirana stores

A counter standee and a sticker on every carry bag turn walk-in customers into regulars who send their shopping list on WhatsApp.

Education and coaching

Admission flyers, notice boards and banners use codes with the course named in the message, so the first chat says which batch a parent means.

Clinics, labs and pharmacies

Reception desks and report envelopes carry a code for appointment requests and report questions, kept separate from emergency numbers.

Real estate and local services

Site boards, brochures, service vans and fridge magnets use codes with the listing or service prefilled, so a lead arrives with the property or job already named.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a WhatsApp QR code?

It is a QR code that opens WhatsApp when scanned. The phrase covers three things: the personal code in WhatsApp's settings that shares your contact, the WhatsApp Web code that links a computer to your account, and click-to-chat codes like these, which open a chat with a ready message.

How do I create a WhatsApp QR code?

Choose your country above, type your phone number without the country code, and add an optional message. Tap Create QR code, scan the result with your phone to test it, then download the PNG or SVG. It takes about a minute and needs no signup.

How do I make a QR code that opens a WhatsApp chat with a message?

Type the message in the Prefilled message box before you tap Create QR code. The tool encodes it into the wa.me link, so anyone who scans sees your message already typed in the chat box and only has to tap Send. Write it the way a customer would say it.

Is this the same as the QR code in my WhatsApp settings?

No. The code in WhatsApp's settings belongs to your account and lets people add you as a contact. A code made here opens a chat with whichever number you enter, can carry a ready message, and can be made separately for each table, flyer or product, which WhatsApp's own codes cannot do.

Is it safe to share my WhatsApp Web QR code?

Never share, print or post it. That code links a computer to whichever phone scans it, and it changes regularly anyway. Only scan a WhatsApp Web code shown on a computer in front of you, and never scan one that someone sends you, since that can hand them your account. For customers, use a click-to-chat code instead.

Does WhatsApp Business have its own QR code?

Yes. The WhatsApp Business app creates a short link and QR code for your business, with a default message you can set and customers can edit before sending. It is official and free. This page is useful when you want any number, a different message for each placement, or an SVG file for print. For scan counts, create the code in a free U2L account.

Can I make a WhatsApp QR code for business?

Yes. Enter your WhatsApp Business number exactly as you would a personal one; click-to-chat links work with both kinds of account. Many businesses make several codes for the same number with different messages, one for the menu, one for delivery bags and one for posters, so every chat starts with context.

Does the customer need to save my number first?

No. Scanning opens a chat with your number straight away, without adding it to their contacts. They can save you later if they want. This is the main reason shops, tutors and clinics prefer a WhatsApp QR code over a number printed on a sign.

Will the message be sent automatically when someone scans?

No. The scan opens the chat with your message in the text box, and the customer decides whether to send it, edit it or delete it. WhatsApp click-to-chat links never send messages on anyone's behalf, so write a message that still reads well if they change a word or two.

How do I enter an Indian mobile number?

Keep India (+91) selected and type the 10-digit mobile number, for example 98765 43210, without +91 or a leading 0. The tool removes spaces and builds wa.me/919876543210. For a landline on WhatsApp Business, drop the leading 0 of the area code.

Why does my WhatsApp QR code open the wrong chat or show an error?

Usually the number is off: a leading 0 left in, the country code typed twice, or the wrong country selected. Tap Open in WhatsApp on this page to test the wa.me link before creating the code. If the link opens the right chat, the QR code will too.

Can I change the number after printing the QR code?

Not for a code made on this page. It is fixed to the exact wa.me link you created it for and cannot be edited, so if your number or message changes, make and print a new code. For a code you can point at a new number later without reprinting, create it in a free U2L account or with U2L's QR code generator.

Can I see how many people scanned my WhatsApp QR code?

Not for codes made on this page; they are anonymous short links with no scan counts. To count scans, create the code in a free U2L account or with U2L's QR code generator, which offers sign up to track. Plain wa.me links do not report scans either.

Does a WhatsApp QR code expire?

Short links made here have no expiry date set, so the code keeps opening your chat. It stops reaching you only if the WhatsApp number behind it stops being used. Because the code cannot be edited, make and print a new one if you change numbers.

What happens if the person scanning does not have WhatsApp?

The short link still redirects to wa.me, but without the app the phone shows WhatsApp's web page instead of a chat, and they need WhatsApp to message you. On a computer, that page offers WhatsApp Web or the desktop app. Print your number in plain text too.

What size should I print a WhatsApp QR code?

At least 2.5 cm (1 inch) wide for table cards, stickers and visiting cards scanned up close. For posters, a common rule of thumb is about 1 cm of width per 10 cm of distance. Use the SVG for print so it stays sharp, and test a printed copy.

Can I add my logo or brand colors to the WhatsApp QR code?

Not on this page; it makes a fixed dark-on-white design that scans reliably. Copy the wa.me link shown above and open U2L's QR code generator, which adds colors, a logo and a frame to a code for any link. Keep strong contrast and test the styled code before printing.

Is my phone number kept private?

Your number is part of the wa.me link, so anyone who scans sees it, like a number on a card. The link is built in your browser; your number and message reach U2L only when you tap Create QR code, because the short link must redirect there.

Is the WhatsApp QR code generator free?

Yes. Creating a code and downloading the PNG or SVG is free and needs no account. If you make many codes in a short time, the page asks you to sign up. For scan counts or a code you can change later, create it in a free U2L account instead.

Related Free Tools

WiFi QR Code Generator

Generate a WiFi QR code that lets guests connect without typing a password. Supports WPA/WPA2/WEP and hidden networks.

vCard QR Code Generator

Turn your contact details into a scannable vCard QR code. Add to business cards so people save your info with one scan.

Instagram QR Code Generator

Generate a scannable QR code that opens your Instagram profile. Perfect for flyers, business cards, and packaging.

Menu QR Code Generator

Generate a QR code that opens your restaurant menu PDF or web page. Contactless dining, zero printing reorders.

Google Review QR Code

Take customers straight to your Google review form. Print on receipts and table tents to boost local SEO and ratings.

PDF QR Code Generator

Generate a QR code that opens any PDF document. Brochures, manuals, real estate listings, and course materials.

See all 50 free tools

Key Terms

Click-to-chat link (wa.me): WhatsApp's link format for opening a chat with a number: wa.me/ plus the full international number, digits only, with an optional ?text= message.
Prefilled message: Text that appears in the chat box when the link opens. The customer can edit it and must tap Send.
Short link redirect: A short address, such as u.gy/ab12cd, that forwards the browser to a longer destination. A code made on this page always forwards to the exact wa.me link it was created for.
Quiet zone: The blank margin around a QR code that helps scanners find its edges. The QR code standard calls for at least four modules on every side.
Linked device: A computer or tablet signed in to a WhatsApp account by scanning the WhatsApp Web or desktop QR code from the phone.

Want your WhatsApp QR code in your own colors?

U2L's QR code generator adds brand colors, a logo and a frame to a code for any link, including your wa.me chat link. Codes made there can be saved to a free account, so you can track scans and point the code at a new number later without reprinting.

Open the QR code generator