A wifi QR code so you stop dictating the password
In a café, a guesthouse, a waiting room or an office, the question comes up ten times a day. The wifi QR code settles it: the person scans, the phone offers to join the network. This guide covers the format, the printing, and what to do when the password changes.
How it works
The code holds the network name, the security type (WPA most of the time) and the password, in a format phones recognize natively. iPhone since iOS 11 and Android since version 10 offer to connect directly.
- WPA/WPA2/WPA3, WEP or open networks
- Hidden networks supported
- Free static version: works even without an internet connection, obviously
- Dynamic version: a page that also shows the password to copy, plus a scan counter
Static or dynamic?
The static wifi code is the right default: it works offline and forever. Go dynamic if the password changes regularly (seasonal rental, coworking space): you update the page and the stickers stay valid. The phone then shows a page with a copy button for the password and an equivalent static QR code.
Where to stick it
At eye level, near where people sit down: the counter, the nightstand, the fridge door in a rental. A 5 × 5 cm sticker saying "Wifi: scan me" is enough.
| Medium | Reading distance | Minimum code size | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business card | 15 to 25 cm | 2 cm per side | Reserve a corner, keep a 3 mm white margin around it |
| Table tent, menu | 30 to 50 cm | 3 cm | One code per medium, never two side by side |
| A5 flyer, product label | 40 to 60 cm | 4 cm | Avoid busy photo backgrounds behind the code |
| A3 poster, shop window | 1 to 2 m | 10 cm | Place it at eye level, not at the bottom of the poster |
| Roll-up banner, tarp, vehicle | 3 to 5 m | 25 to 40 cm | Simple rule: distance ÷ 10 = code size |
Security: what you should know
The password is written into the code. Anyone who photographs the sticker can read it. That's the same privacy level as a password posted on a sign, which is exactly the use case. For a company network, use a separate guest network.
Common mistakes
- A typo in the SSID or the password: test with a phone before printing.
- Choosing WEP out of habit when the router is actually on WPA2: the phone will refuse to connect.
- Printing at 1.5 cm on a glossy label: too small, too much glare.
- Inverting the colors (light modules on a dark background): a good share of phones fail to read it. Keep dark modules on a light background.
- Removing the white margin around the code to save space: this quiet zone is needed for the scanner to work at all.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free?
Yes, the static wifi code is generated without an account and never expires. The dynamic version counts toward the three free codes.
Do my customers see the password?
With a static code, the phone connects without displaying it, but it's readable by any QR reader. With a dynamic code, the page shows it with a copy button.
Does it work on every phone?
On iPhone (iOS 11 and up) and Android (10 and up) using the camera app. On older devices, a QR code reader app may be needed.