How to create a Wi-Fi QR code

What a Wi-Fi QR code actually contains

A Wi-Fi QR code doesn't connect to anything on its own — it simply encodes your network details as text in a standard format that phones understand. The encoded string looks like this: WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyNetwork;P:MyPassword;;

The T field is the encryption type, S is the network name (SSID), and P is the password. That string is all the QR code holds — when a phone camera reads it, the operating system parses the format and prompts the user to join.

• WPA — covers WPA, WPA2, and WPA3. The correct choice for virtually every modern router.
• WEP — a legacy standard from the 1990s, broken by modern cryptographic attacks. Avoid it.
• nopass — for open networks with no password. Anyone nearby can join regardless.

WPA2 vs WPA3: does it matter for the QR code?

Both WPA2 and WPA3 use the same T:WPA identifier in the encoded string, so you don't need to distinguish between them in the generator — select WPA and the phone's operating system negotiates the best security protocol your router supports.

What does matter is whether your router is configured to use WPA2-AES or WPA3 rather than the older TKIP cipher or mixed-mode WEP. A QR code is only as secure as the underlying network — if the router uses weak encryption, the QR code doesn't help. Check your router's admin panel and, if it's an option, set it to WPA2-AES or WPA3 only before generating the code.

Security: guest networks and privacy

A Wi-Fi QR code contains your network password in plain text inside the image. Anyone who photographs the printed code — including with a phone camera — can extract the password. That's fine for a public-facing guest network, but think carefully before posting a code for your primary private network in a place where strangers can photograph it.

The recommended approach for businesses and hospitality venues is to create a separate guest network on your router and generate the QR code for that network. A guest network is isolated from your main network (guests can't see your devices or network shares) and uses a different password, so you can change it — and reprint the code — without affecting your internal network or the devices on it.

Most modern routers, including consumer-grade models, support a guest network. Look for the option in the router's admin interface under Wireless or Guest Access settings.

How to make a Wi-Fi QR code — step by step

1. Open the Qrop generator and choose Wi-Fi from the data type selector.
2. Enter your exact network name (SSID). It's case-sensitive and must match the name your router broadcasts — check your existing device's Wi-Fi settings if you're unsure.
3. Enter the network password and select the encryption type. Choose WPA for any modern WPA2 or WPA3 network.
4. For open networks with no password, select nopass and leave the password field empty.
5. Optionally set your brand colours, add a logo, and choose your module style. Qrop checks contrast before generating and warns you if the combination is too low to scan reliably.
6. Select PNG for printing or SVG for signage that needs to stay sharp at large sizes.
7. Download the code and test it with your own phone — both iOS and Android — before printing or displaying it.

Where to display a Wi-Fi QR code

The placement depends on your setting. The goal is to put the code where a guest naturally looks when they want to connect — not hidden in a menu or tucked behind a counter.

• Cafés and restaurants — table tents or a printed card at the counter, at seated eye level.
• Hotels and Airbnb listings — on the welcome card with the room key, or on a framed print near the desk.
• Offices and co-working spaces — at the reception desk and in meeting rooms, where visitors typically ask for the password.
• Events and conference venues — on the welcome signage at registration, and again near seating areas. For large venues, include the network name as text next to the QR code so attendees can confirm they're joining the right network.
• Retail shops — near the point of sale where customers wait, or on a small sign by the door.

Tips for Wi-Fi QR codes that always scan

• Print at a generous size — at least 2–3 cm square for table tents, larger for posters viewed from a distance. A code scanned from 1 metre should be at least 10 cm square as a rule of thumb.
• Keep strong contrast between the code and its background. Very light modules on white, or yellow on white, can fail to scan. Qrop checks this before you generate.
• Leave a clear quiet zone (white margin) around the code — don't crop it tight against other graphics or text. The margin should be roughly the width of one of the corner squares.
• Use SVG output for print so the code stays razor-sharp at any size without pixelation.
• If you change your Wi-Fi password, regenerate and reprint the code. The old code will still scan but will fail to join the network — a frustrating experience for guests.
• Laminate table tents or use weatherproof print stock in outdoor or high-traffic areas where the code might get wet or scuffed.

Frequently asked questions

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