Make a Wi-Fi QR code
Guests point a camera at it and they are on the network. No spelling out the password.
Reading out a twenty character Wi-Fi password is a small daily misery in cafes, guest houses and living rooms. A Wi-Fi QR code contains the network name, the security type and the password in the format phones understand, so scanning it offers to join the network directly. Print it, frame it, stick it on the wall. Because the code is static there is no service behind it to expire or start charging.
How to make a Wi-Fi QR code
- 1
Pick Wi-Fi and fill it in
Network name exactly as it appears, the security type (almost always WPA), and the password. Tick hidden network only if yours does not broadcast its name.
- 2
Style it if you like
Set colours to match the room, and add a logo in the middle. The scan check tells you immediately if the contrast or the logo has broken it.
- 3
Download and print
PNG for the screen, SVG or PDF for a printed card that stays sharp at any size.
Why a local generator matters here more than anywhere
Of all the things to type into a random website, your Wi-Fi password is near the top of the list of things not to. This one runs in your browser: nothing is sent, nothing is stored, and the code works offline.
Putting it on the table
Download the PDF and print it at card size, or drop the PNG into a table tent. The scan check has already confirmed it reads.
Frequently asked questions
Does it work on iPhone and Android?+
Yes. Both read the standard Wi-Fi format with the built-in camera. Android has supported it for years, and iPhone since iOS 11.
Is my password sent anywhere?+
No. The code is built in your browser, so the password goes into the image on your device and nowhere else. A QR site that generates server side has your Wi-Fi password in its logs.
Can someone read the password off the code?+
Yes, a QR code is not encryption: anyone who can scan the code can extract the password. Treat the printed code the way you treat the password itself, which is why a guest network is a good idea.
What if I change the password?+
Make a new code. The password is inside the image, so it cannot be updated remotely. That is the same property that stops the code ever expiring.