Create a WiFi QR Code — Share Network Credentials Without Typing the Password
A QR code that encodes your WiFi credentials lets guests join without typing the password. Here is how to generate one and print it for display.
Sharing your WiFi password is awkward. You either read it out character by character, show your phone screen, or write it on a card. A WiFi QR code eliminates all of that. Point your phone camera at the code and you're connected — no typing, no errors. Setting one up takes about two minutes.
What a WiFi QR code contains
A WiFi QR code encodes your network name (SSID), password, and security type in a specific format that phones understand. When the camera scans it, iOS and Android both display a prompt asking if you want to join the network. Tap yes, you're connected. The password is never displayed — it's just used automatically by the phone.
The encoded format looks like this: WIFI:T:WPA;S:YourNetworkName;P:YourPassword;;
Generating the QR code
- Open the QR Generator tool.
- Select WiFi as the content type, or enter the WiFi string manually in text mode.
- Enter your network name and password exactly as they appear (case-sensitive).
- Generate and download the QR code.
- Test it with your own phone before printing.
Security considerations
The QR code contains your WiFi password. Anyone who photographs or scans the code gets access to your network. A few things to think about:
- Post it in a location only your intended guests can access
- For businesses, use a guest network with a separate password — isolate guest traffic from your business systems
- For home use, consider whether you want this posted somewhere permanently or printed per-visit
- If your password changes, you need a new QR code
Where to put it
For home: a printed card kept near your router or handed to guests when they arrive. For Airbnb or short-term rental: laminated and placed next to the TV or on a welcome card. For offices: printed at the front desk or in meeting rooms. For cafes and restaurants: at the counter or on table cards, with a brief label like "Tap to join Guest WiFi."
What if someone doesn't have a camera that reads QR
Modern iOS (11+) and Android (9+) phones read QR codes natively through the camera app. Older phones need a QR code reader app. For guests who can't scan, print the password below the QR code as a fallback — just put it in a smaller font so the QR code is the primary method.