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SMS QR code generator

Enter a phone number and an optional message. Scanning the code opens the phone's messaging app with both filled in, so the person only has to tap Send. Nothing is sent without them.

SMS QR code generator

What should the code open?
SMS details
Colors, size and logo

Higher levels survive damage and logos but make the code denser.

Your image stays on your device. Adding a logo switches error correction to High.

Example QR code

Example. Fill in the form to make yours.

Static code. Free forever. It never expires.

How to make a text message QR code

  1. Enter the number with its country code

    Start with + and the country code, like +1 for the US and Canada or +44 for the UK, so it works for visitors too.

  2. Add a short message

    Optional. A keyword like JOIN or a prompt like "Table for" tells people what to send.

  3. Scan it and check the text

    Scan the code with your phone, check the number and message in your messaging app, then print.

What is inside the code

The code holds the number and message in a short text format that phone cameras recognise as “send a text”:

SMSTO:+15551234567:JOIN

That is all there is. There is no link to our site in between, so the code works without internet until the moment the person sends the text, and it keeps working for as long as the number does. You may also see a second format, sms: followed by the number, on other sites. Both open a new message; this generator uses the SMSTO form because phone cameras and scanner apps have read it reliably for years.

Good uses

  • Keyword sign-ups. “Scan to text JOIN for weekly offers” on posters and counters. Make sure your texting service is set up to handle the keyword first.
  • Bookings and waitlists. A code at the door that opens “Table for” lets people text their party size and name.
  • Support on the go. For tradespeople and delivery services, a text is often faster than email. Put the code on vans, invoices and fridge magnets.
  • Event updates. A code on a ticket or programme that texts a number to get the schedule or late changes.
  • Asking for reviews. After a job, text customers your Google review link, or print a review code on the receipt.

Writing a good pre-filled message

  • Short wins. A keyword or a few words keeps the code small and easy to scan. A number with a short keyword is around 25 squares across.
  • Plain characters. Emoji look friendly but count as special characters, which cut the length of a single text from 160 to 70 characters.
  • Make it editable. “Booking for:” invites people to finish the sentence. A long fixed message is often deleted.
  • Say what happens next. Print a line next to the code, like “Scan to text us. We reply within an hour.”

Text, call or email?

Text suits quick questions and short answers. For a direct call, a phone number code opens the dialler instead. For longer messages and attachments, an email QR code fits better. For business cards, a contact card code saves your number, email and website in one go, so people can text you whenever they want.

Before you print

  1. Scan the code with an iPhone and an Android phone. Check the number and message.
  2. Send a test text from a phone that is not yours, and check it arrives.
  3. Print at least 2 cm (0.8 in) wide with a white border around it.
  4. Remember that standard text rates apply to the person sending, so do not use premium numbers.

Need it bigger for a window or banner? The QR code size guide has a chart by distance.

Questions people ask

Does scanning the code send a text automatically?

No. It opens a new message with the number and text filled in. The person can edit it, and nothing is sent until they tap Send.

How long can the message be?

One text message holds 160 standard characters. If you use emoji or some accented characters, the limit drops to 70 per message, and longer texts are split into several. For a QR code, keep it much shorter: a word or a short sentence.

Why do I need the country code?

Without it, a phone visiting from another country may dial the wrong number. With + and the country code, the number works anywhere.

Does it work on iPhone and Android?

Yes. The camera on current iPhones and Android phones recognises the code and offers to open Messages or the default texting app.

Can I use it for text-to-join marketing?

Yes, it suits keyword sign-ups like 'Text JOIN'. Follow the rules for marketing texts where you are, which in many countries means getting clear consent and offering an easy way to opt out.

Can I change the message after printing?

No. The number and message are inside the printed code. That also means it never expires and does not depend on our site.