What you need
- Your network name (SSID), exactly as it appears in the WiFi list.
- Your WiFi password.
- The security type. Almost every router made in the last ten years uses WPA2 or WPA3.
- A couple of minutes and our free WiFi QR code generator.
If you don't remember the password, look on the sticker on the back of your router, or check a device that's already connected. On Windows: Settings → Network & internet → WiFi → your network → "View WiFi security key". On a Mac: open the Passwords app (or Keychain Access) and search for the network name. On an iPhone with iOS 16 or later: Settings → WiFi → tap the ⓘ next to the network → tap the hidden password. On Android 10 or later: Settings → Network → WiFi → tap the gear next to your network → Share, which shows a QR code and the password underneath.
Step 1: Find the exact network name
WiFi network names are case-sensitive and can contain spaces. "Smith Family" and "smith family" are two different networks as far as a phone is concerned. Copy the name character for character. If your router broadcasts two networks, such as "Home" and "Home-5G", decide which one guests should use. The 2.4 GHz network usually reaches further, while the 5 GHz one is faster up close.
Step 2: Enter the details in the generator
Open the WiFi QR code generator and fill in:
- Network name (SSID).
- Password.
- Security: choose "WPA / WPA2 / WPA3" unless you know your router uses WEP (very old) or has no password at all ("None").
- Hidden network: tick this only if your router doesn't broadcast its name.
The preview updates as you type. Behind the scenes the generator writes a short text in the standard WiFi format, for example WIFI:T:WPA;S:Smith Family;P:sunflower2026;;, and turns it into a QR code. Characters that have a special meaning in that format (; , : " \) are escaped automatically. This is where many free generators go wrong: a password like tea;time breaks their codes.
Step 3: Design it (optional)
A plain black-and-white code scans best, but you can add some personality:
- Pick a dark color for the dots that matches your home or brand.
- Add a frame with a short instruction. The WiFi page pre-selects "SCAN FOR WIFI".
- Upload a small logo if you're making it for a business.
The generator runs a scan test on your design and warns you if colors are too light or the logo too large.
Step 4: Download and print
Download a PNG for a quick print at home, or an SVG/PDF for a print shop. For a ready-made layout, open the printable templates and choose the WiFi table card: it prints four cards per A4 or Letter page, with the network name and password written under the code for people whose phones can't scan.
A good size for a card on a table or a fridge is 4–6 cm (1.5–2.5 in). See our QR code size guide for other spots.
Step 5: Test it
Before you put the card out, scan it with at least one iPhone and one Android phone:
- iPhone (iOS 11+): open the Camera, point it at the code, tap the "Join network" banner.
- Android (10+): open the camera or Google Lens, or go to WiFi settings and tap the QR icon next to "Add network".
If the phone joins without asking for a password, you're done.
Keep your network safe
A WiFi QR code is the same as a written password: anyone who can see it can join. A few habits make that safe:
- Use a guest network. Most routers can create a separate guest network that has internet access but can't see your computers, printers or smart home devices. Put the guest network in the code.
- Don't post it online. A photo of your living room on social media can include the code. Phones can read QR codes from photos.
- Change the guest password from time to time, for example after a party or between holiday rental guests, and print a new card. The old code simply stops working.
- Avoid WEP. If your router only offers WEP, it's time for a new router; WEP can be cracked in minutes.
Because our generator runs in your browser, your password is never sent to our servers. That's worth checking with any QR site you use: if the page sends your WiFi password to a server, you can't know where it ends up.
Troubleshooting
"Unable to join network". Check the password and network name for typos, capital letters and spaces. Check the security type too: a WPA network won't accept a code set to "None".
The phone shows the text instead of "Join". Some older Android phones and third-party scanner apps don't support the WiFi format. Let them type the password from the card.
It joins but there's no internet. The code worked; the problem is the router or the guest network settings.
It worked yesterday but not today. The password was probably changed, or the router reset to factory settings. Generate a new code.
Ideas beyond the living room
- Holiday rentals: a framed card next to the door and in the welcome book. Guests stop messaging you for the password.
- Cafés and restaurants: a table card next to the menu QR code.
- Offices: a code in meeting rooms and at reception for visitors.
- Events and weddings: on the welcome sign or the table numbers.
- Clinics and waiting rooms: on the wall where people sit.
A WiFi QR code takes two minutes to make and saves you from spelling out "capital S, zero, dollar sign" ever again.
Frequently asked questions
Do WiFi QR codes work on iPhone?
Yes. Since iOS 11 the iPhone Camera app recognizes WiFi QR codes and shows a "Join network" button.
Is a WiFi QR code safe?
It is as safe as sharing the password. Use a guest network for visitors and don't post photos of the code online.
Does a WiFi QR code expire?
No. It keeps working until you change the network name or password.