Short answer: open the QR code generator, choose the Contact tab, enter your name and at least a phone number or email, and download the PNG. Put it on the back of your card at 2 × 2 cm or larger. Anyone who scans it can save you as a contact in one tap.
A business card with a QR code saves people from typing your details into their phone, and saves you from typos in your email address. The best option for a card is a vCard QR code: it holds your contact details inside the code itself, works offline and needs no app. Here's how to create one for free, what to include and how to print it so it scans every time.
vCard QR or link QR?
| Aspect | vCard QR | Link QR |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Saves your contact to the phone | Opens a web page |
| Needs internet | No | Yes |
| Can you change it later? | No, reprint needed | Yes, if you control the page |
| Best for | Classic business cards | Portfolios, LinkedIn, booking pages |
If your details rarely change, go with vCard: it's faster for whoever scans it and doesn't depend on any website. If you change jobs or numbers often, a link QR to your LinkedIn profile or a contact page you can update is more flexible.
Create a vCard QR code step by step
- Open the QR code generator and choose the Contact tab.
- Enter your first name and, if you like, your last name.
- Add at least a phone number (in international format, such as
+44 7911 123456) or an email. - Optionally add your company, job title and website.
- Click "Generate QR" and download the PNG. You can add your logo in the centre.
- Scan it with your own phone and check every field before sending the card to print.
The code is generated in your browser: your details aren't sent to any server.
Create a contact QR code for your business card. Free, no sign-up, nothing uploaded.
Create vCard QR code →What to include (and what to leave out)
- Include: name, mobile number, work email, company and job title. That's what people actually need to contact you.
- Website: useful, as long as it's short.
- Leave out: long addresses, several phone numbers and photos. Every extra character makes the code denser and harder to scan at business-card size.
Size and printing
A standard business card is 85 × 55 mm. A vCard holds more data than a link, so the code has more, smaller squares:
- Minimum size: 2 × 2 cm (about 0.8 in). Smaller codes may not scan on older phones.
- White margin: leave at least 2–3 mm of blank space around the code.
- Contrast: dark code on a light background. Avoid printing it over photos or textures.
- Finish: matte works better than gloss, which can reflect light.
- Label it: a short line such as "Scan to save my contact" tells people what it does.
Ask your printer for a proof and scan it with two different phones before approving the full run.
Other places to use your contact QR code
- Your email signature or the last slide of a presentation.
- Trade show badges and stands.
- Shop counters, invoices or delivery notes, so customers can save your number.
If you'd rather send people to a page, a QR code for your Instagram or social profiles works the same way with the Link tab.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a QR code for my business card?
Open the QR code generator, choose the Contact tab, fill in your name and at least a phone number or email (plus company, job title and website if you like), and click "Generate QR". Download the PNG and place it on the back of your card. When someone scans it, their phone offers to save you as a contact.
What is a vCard QR code?
A QR code that contains a contact card in vCard format: name, phone, email, company, job title and website. iPhone and Android cameras recognise it and offer to add the contact to the address book, with no app and no internet connection needed.
What size should the QR code be on a business card?
A vCard holds more data than a link, so the code is denser. On a standard 85 × 55 mm card, aim for at least 2 × 2 cm (about 0.8 in) with a white margin around it, and test it with a couple of phones before ordering the print run.
Does a contact QR code work without internet?
Yes. The contact details are stored inside the QR image itself, so the phone can read and save them offline.
If my phone number changes, do I need new cards?
With a vCard QR, yes: the details are fixed inside the code. If you expect changes, use a link QR that points to a page you can edit, such as your website's contact page or your LinkedIn profile.
Can I add my photo or social profiles?
Photos make the code far too dense to scan reliably, so it is best to leave them out. For social profiles, add your website and use a separate link QR, or point a link QR to a page that lists all your profiles.