SMS QR Code Generator
An SMS QR code opens a new text message to your number with the message already typed, so the sender only has to press send.
Fill in: Phone number
An SMS QR code holds a number and, optionally, the text of a message. Scanning it opens the phone’s messaging app with both already filled in, so the sender only presses send. It suits keyword sign-ups and quick enquiries, and it works on any phone that can text, with nothing installed first.
How to make a SMS QR Code
- Type the number that receives the text, with the country code if senders might be abroad.
- Write the message you want them to send — a keyword like JOIN if you are collecting sign-ups, or a full sentence if a person reads it.
- Keep colons out of the message: the format uses one to separate the number from the text, and some scanners split at every colon they find.
- Scan the preview with a second phone and check both the number and the wording land in the messaging app.
- Download the SVG and print it where a phone is already in hand.
Ways to start a conversation from something printed
| Method | Needs an app installed | Fills in the wording | What it costs the sender |
|---|---|---|---|
| An SMS code | No — every phone texts | Yes | Their carrier's SMS rate |
| A WhatsApp chat code | Yes — WhatsApp | Yes | Data only |
| A phone number code | No | Not applicable | Their call rate |
| A web form code | No, but you need a website | No | Data only |
Frequently asked questions
Does scanning it send the message?
No. It opens the messaging app with your number and the wording already filled in, and the sender presses send. They can edit the text first, so treat the prefilled wording as a starting point rather than something you can rely on arriving unchanged.
What format does this code use?
SMSTO, which is the oldest and most widely recognised way to put a text message in a QR code. Dedicated QR scanner apps all understand it. A few plain camera apps show the raw text instead of offering to open the message — worth checking on the phones your customers actually carry.
Can I use a shortcode instead of a full number?
Yes. Put the shortcode in the number field and the keyword in the message field, and the scan opens a text to that shortcode with the keyword ready to send. That is the usual setup for opt-in lists run through an SMS provider.
Should I use SMS or WhatsApp for this?
SMS reaches any phone with no app installed and costs the sender a message. WhatsApp needs the app but gives you a threaded conversation, delivery marks, and no per-message cost. If your customers already message you on WhatsApp, use that code instead.
Why does my message look cut off after a colon?
Because the SMSTO format separates the number from the message with a colon, and a scanner that splits at every colon rather than the first two will cut the text short. Rewrite the message without colons — a dash or a full stop does the same job safely.
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