Free WhatsApp QR Code Generator
Enter your WhatsApp number and an optional message to create a click-to-chat QR code. Anyone who scans it opens a chat with you instantly — no saving your number first.
Enter the number in full international format, without the +, spaces, or leading zeros (e.g. country code 1 + 5551234567).
Get the Number Format Right
Almost every WhatsApp QR code that fails does so because of the number. WhatsApp shows "The phone number shared via url is invalid" when the digits do not match an account, and the usual cause is the national trunk prefix: the 0 you dial at home has to go once the country code is in front. Always press Test the link first on a phone before printing.
| Country | How it is written locally | Country code | Phone number field |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States / Canada | (555) 123-4567 | 1 | 5551234567 |
| United Kingdom | 07700 900123 | 44 | 7700900123 |
| India | 098765 43210 | 91 | 9876543210 |
| Australia | 0412 345 678 | 61 | 412345678 |
| Germany | 0151 23456789 | 49 | 15123456789 |
| Italy (landline) | 06 1234 5678 | 39 | 0612345678 (the 0 stays) |
Which WhatsApp QR Code Should You Use?
WhatsApp itself offers two QR options inside its apps. They suit different jobs from the code made here.
| Click-to-chat code (this tool) | In-app QR code (Settings › QR code) | Business app short link | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Link inside | wa.me/<number> | wa.me/qr/<code> | wa.me/message/<code> |
| Pre-filled message | Yes, fixed when you print | No | Yes, editable in the app |
| Shows your number in the link | Yes | No | No |
| Can be revoked | No, it is just your number | Yes, "Reset QR code" | Yes, reset the link |
| Needs the WhatsApp app to make | No | Yes | Yes, WhatsApp Business |
| Best for | Print and packaging with a ready-made message | Sharing your contact with people you meet | Businesses that want to change the message later |
How a WhatsApp QR Code Works
A WhatsApp QR code encodes a click-to-chat link in the format https://wa.me/<number>?text=<message>. When someone scans it, WhatsApp opens a new chat with your number — and your pre-filled message ready to send. They don't need to save your contact first.
It works with any personal or WhatsApp Business number worldwide. Over 200 million businesses now use WhatsApp Business monthly, and a QR code is the simplest bridge from a poster, flyer, or shop window straight into a conversation.
Common uses
- Storefronts & flyers — let customers message you with one scan
- Customer support — put it on packaging or receipts for quick help
- Lead capture — pre-fill a message like "I'm interested in…"
- Events — collect enquiries without handing out your number
For step-by-step QR tips, see our guide to creating a QR code for any link.
Frequently Asked Questions
What format does the phone number need to be in?
Full international format, digits only — country code first, no plus sign, no spaces, no dashes, and no leading zero from the national format. A UK number written 07700 900123 becomes 447700900123. This is the format WhatsApp's click-to-chat links require, and a wrong prefix is the usual reason a code opens an empty or invalid chat.
Do people need to save my number before messaging me?
No, and that is the main advantage. A click-to-chat link opens a conversation with your number directly, so the person scanning never has to add you as a contact first. It removes the step where most casual enquiries are lost.
Can I pre-fill the message?
Yes. Anything you set as the pre-filled text appears in the message box ready to send, and the sender can edit it before sending. It is genuinely useful for routing — "I would like a quote for..." or a table number — because it tells you why someone is messaging without you having to ask.
Do I need a WhatsApp Business account?
No. Click-to-chat links work with an ordinary WhatsApp account. A Business account adds things like a catalogue, away messages and labels, which are worth having if the number is genuinely a business line, but the QR code itself does not depend on it.
What happens if someone scans it without WhatsApp installed?
The link opens in their browser on a WhatsApp page that prompts them to install the app or continue on WhatsApp Web. It does not fail silently, but it is a longer path — worth remembering if your audience is in a market where WhatsApp is not the default messenger.
How is this different from the QR code inside the WhatsApp app?
The code inside WhatsApp is your personal contact QR, which adds you as a contact and changes if you reset it. This one encodes a wa.me link that opens a chat directly, with an optional pre-filled message, and it is a plain URL you can print anywhere — a poster, a menu, a van, an invoice.
Can I change where the code points later?
No. The code encodes the wa.me link directly, so changing the number or the message means generating and reprinting a new code. In exchange there is no third-party redirect in the middle, no subscription, and nothing that can expire or start charging you.
Is my number sent anywhere?
No. The link is assembled and the code image is generated in your browser. Your phone number and message are not uploaded, logged or stored anywhere.
Create Branded WhatsApp QR Codes on Your Phone
The Scan & Generate app lets you customise WhatsApp QR codes with your logo and colours — and scan any barcode or QR code instantly with your camera.