Should I include the country code in the phone number?

Yes. Always include the country code in international format (e.g., +421 900 123 456). Some phones reject sms: URIs without a country code, and even when they don't, including it ensures the QR works for international scanners.

Can I use this for support keywords (text 'HELP' to 12345)?

Yes — that's a perfect use case. Pre-fill the recipient (your shortcode or number) and the keyword (HELP, STOP, JOIN). Users scan, the SMS app opens with everything filled in, they tap Send. Lower friction than asking them to type.

Is the recipient number sent to any server?

No. The entire generator runs in your browser. The recipient number and message are encoded locally — there is no backend that sees them.

SMS QR Code Generator — Pre-filled Text Message QR, Free

How it works

An SMS QR code encodes a single line of text in the standard sms: URI scheme:

sms:+421900123456?body=JOIN

When scanned, the phone opens the user's default SMS app (Messages on iPhone, any SMS app on Android) with the recipient and message pre-filled. The user reviews and taps Send — they're never sending without seeing the message first, which is a deliberate platform safety feature.

Generate yours in 3 steps

Open the SMS tab

Open the generator — opens directly on the SMS tab.

Enter recipient and message

Type the phone number in international format (+421 900 123 456) and the message body. Keep the message under 160 characters to fit in one SMS segment.

Download and test

Download as SVG or PNG, then scan with your phone to confirm the SMS app opens with the right number and text.

Where SMS QR codes are useful

📞 Customer support shortcuts

"Need help? Scan to text us." — pre-fills the support number and a "HELP" keyword.

📊 Voting & feedback

Live event polls — scan to text in your vote. No app, no signup.

📦 Delivery & handoff

QR on package: scan to text "RECEIVED" to the sender — instant confirmation.

📢 Opt-in campaigns

"Text JOIN to subscribe" — scan does it automatically. Higher conversion than typing.

🎟 Event check-in

Scan QR on a wristband, text confirmation lands at the gate without manual entry.

🚨 Emergency contacts

Equipment, vehicles, kiosks — scan to text the operator with a pre-filled "ISSUE AT [LOCATION]".

Best practices

Always include the country code. Some phones reject sms: URIs without one. Use international format: +421 900 123 456.
Keep messages short. Standard SMS is 160 characters. Longer pre-filled bodies split into multiple segments when sent.
Don't expect auto-send. Both iOS and Android require the user to tap Send manually — by design, for safety. Design your flow accordingly.
Pair with a clear CTA. Print "Scan & Tap Send to vote" or "Scan to text us" near the QR — removes ambiguity.

Frequently asked questions

Will it work on iPhone and Android?

Yes. The sms: URI is universal. iOS opens Messages; Android opens whichever SMS app the user has set as default.

Does the message send automatically?

No — and that's intentional. Both platforms show the pre-filled message and require the user to tap Send, protecting them from QR codes that would otherwise send unwanted messages.

Should I include the country code?

Yes. Always include the country code in international format. Some phones reject sms: URIs without one.

Is there a maximum message length?

Standard SMS is 160 characters per segment. Longer pre-filled messages may be split into multiple SMS when actually sent. Keep it short.

Can I use this for keyword campaigns (text JOIN to 12345)?

Yes — that's a perfect use case. Pre-fill the shortcode and the keyword. Users scan and tap Send.

Is the recipient number sent anywhere?

No. The generator runs entirely in your browser — recipient and message are encoded locally.

Is this QR code generator really free, with no catch?

Yes — free forever. No sign-up, no watermark, no usage limits, no expiry. The entire generator runs in your browser, so we have no server costs to recover. No premium tier exists.

Will my QR code expire or stop working?

No. Static QR codes (which this site generates) never expire — they encode the destination directly into the image. The QR works as long as the URL or content it points to is still valid. Print once, scan forever.

Can I track how many people scan my QR code?

Not from the QR itself (static codes have no built-in analytics). The simplest workaround: add UTM parameters to your destination URL (e.g. ?utm_source=qr&utm_campaign=flyer) and read scans in Google Analytics, Plausible, or your site's log files.

What's the minimum print size for a QR code to scan reliably?

Rule of thumb: 2×2 cm (0.8") for cards and stickers, 5×5 cm for table tents and posters, 30×30 cm for billboards. The 1:10 ratio works: scan distance ≈ QR size × 10. Always test scan at actual size before printing a large batch.

Can I edit where the QR points after it's printed?

Not directly — static QR codes have the destination baked in. Workaround: point your QR to a short URL on your own domain (e.g. yourdomain.com/menu) that redirects to the real destination. You can change the redirect target any time without reprinting.

Free SMS QR Code Generator