How to Make a WiFi QR Code (Free, No Signup)

Tired of reading out a twelve-character WPA2 password while someone squints at their phone? A WiFi QR code solves that. Guests scan, they're on. Done in about three seconds. Here's how to make one properly.

What's actually inside a WiFi QR code?

A WiFi QR code uses a standard format called the WIFI: URI scheme. It looks like this under the hood:

WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyNetwork;P:mysecretpassword;;

That string encodes three things: the security type (T), the network name or SSID (S), and the password (P). When a phone's camera reads this, iOS and Android both recognise the format natively and prompt the user to join. No app required.

The code isn't making a call to any server. It's not a redirect. Everything your guest needs is encoded directly in that pattern of black and white squares.

WPA vs WEP: which one do you have?

Almost certainly WPA. Specifically WPA2, which has been the standard since 2006. If your router was made in the last fifteen years, select WPA/WPA2.

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is an older security standard from the late 1990s. It has well-documented weaknesses and hasn't been recommended since around 2004. You'll only see it on very old hardware. If you do need a WEP code, we support it, but I'd strongly suggest updating your router's security settings if at all possible.

Some newer routers use WPA3 or a WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode. For QR code purposes, select WPA/WPA2 and it'll connect fine on WPA3 networks too (phones handle the negotiation).

There's also the open network option, for networks with no password at all. Public hotspots in some venues work this way. Just leave the password field blank and select "No encryption".

A note on hidden networks

If you've set your router to hide its SSID (meaning it doesn't broadcast the network name publicly), you need to tick the "hidden network" option when generating your code. This adds an H:true field to the WIFI: string. Without it, Android devices in particular sometimes fail to connect, even if the password is correct.

Hidden SSIDs offer minimal real security, but some people use them for tidiness or to reduce visible clutter in the WiFi list. Either way, the QR code handles it.

Why static is exactly right for WiFi codes

You might have seen some tools offering "dynamic" WiFi QR codes, where you can update the destination later. This genuinely makes no sense for WiFi. Your network password doesn't change every month (and if it does, you can regenerate the code in about 45 seconds). There's no redirect server involved, no subscription to maintain, and nothing to expire.

A static WiFi QR code works for the life of your router. Print it once, stick it up, and forget about it. That's the right solution here.

Step-by-step: making your WiFi QR code

1. Open QRcrisp: Go to qrcrisp.com and select WiFi from the QR type options.
2. Enter your SSID: This is your network name exactly as it appears on devices when they search for WiFi. Capitalisation and spaces matter.
3. Enter your password: Type it carefully. A typo here means no one can connect.
4. Choose your security type: WPA/WPA2 for almost everyone. WEP only if you're certain that's what your router uses. Open if there's no password.
5. Hidden network: Tick this only if your SSID doesn't broadcast publicly.
6. Download: Grab the PNG for printing, or the SVG if you want to resize it for a sign or menu card without quality loss.
7. Test it: Before you print fifty copies, scan the code with your own phone while disconnected from that network. Make sure it prompts you to join correctly.

Pro tips for displaying your WiFi code

The most useful thing you can do with a WiFi QR code is put it somewhere obvious and permanent. Here are the approaches I've seen work best.

Stick it on the back of the router

This sounds obvious, but it's underused. Print a small label (or use an address label), write "WiFi QR" on it, and stick it on the router. Guests can find it, you can find it when you forget your own password (we've all been there), and it lives right next to the thing it controls.

Laminate for cafes, pubs, and co-working spaces

If you're running a venue, print the code at about 7cm x 7cm, laminate it, and put one on every table. A laminator costs about £15 at most office supply shops and pays for itself in fewer interruptions. Make the code slightly larger than you think you need — anything smaller than 3cm x 3cm risks failing on older phone cameras.

For outdoor venues, consider a weatherproof acrylic sign or a UV-laminated print. A soggy paper printout doesn't last the summer.

Add it to a welcome card

Holiday lets, B&Bs, and guest rooms: put the WiFi QR code on the welcome card alongside the door code and checkout time. Guests love it. It signals that you've thought about the small frictions.

Use a nice frame for home display

There are printable WiFi QR code templates that include the network name and a small label. Search for "WiFi QR code printable template" and you'll find plenty of attractive options to drop your QR into. A small IKEA frame, a printed code, done.

How big should the code be?

For a printed WiFi QR code you expect people to scan from table-height, aim for at least 5cm x 5cm. At 300 DPI (standard print resolution), that's about 590 x 590 pixels. The SVG download from QRcrisp is losslessly scalable, so you can set it to any size without it going blurry.

The quietzone (the white margin around the code) matters too. QR codes need at least 4 module-widths of clear space on all sides. Don't crop it right to the edges.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to share a WiFi QR code?

It's equivalent to writing down your WiFi password on a piece of paper. Anyone who scans it joins your network. For home use, that's fine for trusted guests. For business use, consider whether you want a separate guest network (most modern routers support this) and generate a code for that instead of your main network.

Does the code expire?

No. A static WiFi QR code has no expiry date. It works as long as your password stays the same. Change the password, generate a new code. It takes about a minute.

What if my SSID has special characters or spaces?

Just type them normally in the generator. QRcrisp handles the escaping for you, so a network called "The Loft 2.4GHz" or "Café du Monde" will encode correctly.

Can I add a logo to the WiFi QR code?

Yes, though WiFi codes can be fairly dense. For best results, use Error Correction Level H, which allows around 30% of the code area to be obscured. Read our full guide on adding a logo to a QR code before you try it, because there are a couple of things that commonly go wrong.

Can I use this offline?

QRcrisp uses a service worker to cache itself locally, so yes, once you've visited the site it works without an internet connection. This is useful if you're setting up WiFi in a place that (temporarily) has no internet.

If you want to put the finished code on a menu or table card, take a look at our restaurant menu QR code guide for sizing and placement advice. And if you're building a set of codes for a business, the dynamic vs static comparison page will help you understand why static is almost always the right choice for long-lived printed materials.