How to Make a QR Code for a Phone Number (Call, Text or Save Contact)

A QR code for a phone number holds a tel: link, so scanning it offers to call that number. The phone number QR generator accepts the number in any format, writes it in international E.164 form and draws the code. It also makes sms: codes with a pre-filled message and vCard codes that save a contact.

The code stores only text, so it never expires and does not depend on any website staying online.

What each type does

• Call (tel:): opens the dialler with the number, in the form defined by RFC 3966, such as tel:+14155552671.
• Text (sms:): opens the messaging app with the number and message filled in; the person still presses send.
• Contact (vCard): offers to save a contact with name, phones, email and anything else on the card.

Writing the number with its country code matters on a printed code, because the person scanning may be abroad. See E.164 phone number format.

The by-hand way

1. Build the link yourself: tel:+14155552671, or sms:+14155552671?body=JOIN with the message percent-encoded.
2. Paste it into any QR generator that encodes plain text.
3. Scan the result with your own phone before you print it.

The risk is a malformed number or an unencoded message.

Step 1: pick Call, Text or Contact

Step 2: enter the details

Choose the country for numbers without a + code, then type the number in any format, such as (415) 555-2671. Add the message for a text code, or the name, phones and email for a contact.

Step 3: check, scan and download

Press Make QR code, look at what it contains, scan it with your own phone, then download PNG or SVG. The result shows the QR version and module count, and you can pick an error-correction level; the tool's notes say H suits a code that will get scuffed.

What this check cannot do

• It does not check whether a number is in service or can receive texts.
• The code is static: change the details and you print a new one.
• Scanning depends on the phone and its scanner app, so test the printed code on more than one phone.
• It does not make eSIM or WhatsApp codes; use the WhatsApp link generator for wa.me.

To turn a whole spreadsheet into contacts, use CSV to VCF. For a plain link instead of a code, see click-to-call links.

Next: if the code leads to an email sign-up

A code on a poster often feeds a list. Before you send to what it collects, upload the addresses at the verify page: the first 100 email checks are free with a Google sign-in, no card. See pricing for larger lists.

Try it now

Open the phone number QR generator.