What a WiFi QR code does
A WiFi QR code encodes three things in one small square: your network name (SSID), your security type (usually WPA2), and your password. When someone scans it with their phone's camera, the operating system reads those values, prompts them to "Join Network," and connects automatically. There is no third-party app involved, no account signup, and no data sent anywhere — the QR is read locally on the device.
Who this is for
This page exists because cafés, hotels, dental practices, Airbnb hosts, conference organizers, and home users have one shared problem: long random WiFi passwords are unkind to humans. A printed QR sticker on a wall replaces every "what's the password?" moment for the lifetime of that sticker.
Why QRolling for this
QRolling is a free QR code generator. The WiFi type is free, has no scan limit, and there is no payment required. We do not store your password on our servers — the QR is built in your browser and the data lives only in the image you download. If you later want to track scans or change the password without reprinting, you can upgrade to a dynamic QR, but the basic WiFi QR you create here costs nothing beyond the free account.
What makes a good printed WiFi QR
Three details matter more than people realize:
- Quiet zone. Leave at least 4 modules of clear white space around the code. Cropping tight to the edges breaks scanners.
- Size for the room. A QR printed at 2cm × 2cm scans from arm's length; a poster QR for a café back wall should be 8cm × 8cm or larger.
- High contrast. Dark code on white scans best. Inverting it (light QR on dark wood, brand colors) cuts scan reliability on older Android cameras.
For deeper guidance see our QR code best practices guide.
How to create a WiFi QR code in 4 steps
Open the generator and pick the WiFi type
On the QRolling home page, scroll to the QR generator and select the WiFi tab. No login needed to build it.
Enter your network details
Type your SSID exactly as it appears on devices, pick the encryption (WPA/WPA2 for almost every modern router), and paste the password.
Customize the design (optional)
Add a logo, change colors, or pick a frame. Keep error correction on High if you add a logo so scans stay reliable.
Download and print
Export as PNG for quick use or SVG/EPS for print. Test it with three different phones before printing 100 stickers.
Frequently asked
Is my WiFi password sent to QRolling's servers?
No. The QR code is generated locally in your browser, and the password is encoded into the image only. The scan itself contacts nothing: the phone reads the credentials straight out of the pattern.
Will the QR work on both iPhone and Android?
Yes. iOS 11 and newer and Android 10 and newer both prompt to join the network natively when you scan a WiFi QR with the camera. No third-party app needed.
Can I change the WiFi password later without reprinting the QR?
Only with a dynamic QR code. Static QRs encode the password directly, so a password change means generating and printing a new one. Dynamic QRs route through a short redirect you can edit.
Does the QR work with hidden SSIDs?
Yes — tick the 'Hidden network' box when generating. The QR then includes the hint that the network is not broadcast, and phones will still connect.
Is there a scan limit on the free plan?
No. Nothing meters how often a WiFi code is scanned, and the download carries no watermark; a free account is all it takes. Scan analytics is a paid feature you can opt into later if you want it.
Which encryption types are supported?
WPA, WPA2, and WPA3 (the standard choice for home and business routers), plus WEP for older hardware and 'no password' for open networks. Choose the one your router uses — WPA2 fits almost every modern setup.
How large should I print a WiFi QR code?
As a rule of thumb, print it at least 2cm × 2cm for arm's-length scanning, and 8cm × 8cm or larger for a wall poster read from across a room. Always keep a clear 4-module quiet zone (blank margin) around it.
Can I add my logo or brand colors to the WiFi QR?
Yes. In the Design step you can drop in a center logo and change colors. When you add a logo, keep error correction on High (H) so the code still scans reliably, and keep strong dark-on-light contrast.
Why won't my WiFi QR code scan?
The usual causes are: too little contrast (light code on a dark surface), no quiet zone (cropped too tight), the code printed too small, or a typo in the SSID/password. Special characters in the password (\, ;, ", :) must be entered exactly. Test on three phones before mass printing.
Does a WiFi QR code work offline?
Yes. A static WiFi QR encodes the credentials directly in the image, so scanning and joining need no internet — the phone reads the code locally and connects to the network.
Can someone recover my password from the QR image?
Technically yes — a static WiFi QR stores the password in plain form inside the code, so anyone who scans it can join. That is the point for a guest sticker. For sensitive networks, use a separate guest network rather than sharing your main password by QR.
What characters can my WiFi password contain?
Any characters your router allows. Reserved characters — backslash (\), semicolon (;), comma (,), colon (:), and double quote (") — are automatically escaped when the code is built, so passwords with symbols still work.
Does it work with enterprise or captive-portal WiFi?
Standard WiFi QR codes cover personal networks (WPA/WPA2/WPA3-Personal). Enterprise 802.1X networks and hotel/airport captive portals that require a login page are not supported by the WiFi QR standard — a URL QR to the portal is the better fit there.
Can I reuse one QR code for several networks?
No — each WiFi QR encodes a single network's SSID and password. Generate a separate QR for each network you want to share.
Read next
Need a different QR type? Browse all 48 QR types on the home page.