Photo QR Code
Add a real, scannable QR badge to any photo â WhatsApp, Facebook, WiFi, and more.
Photo QR Code lets you add a real, scannable QR code to any photo in seconds. Upload a picture, choose a platform (WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, phone, email, WiFi, website, SMS, or contact card), enter your details, and we'll place a scannable QR badge on a corner of your photo. The photo stays exactly as it was â only the badge is added. Every QR is generated with error-correction level H so it remains readable even when printed, and includes the platform icon in the center.
Privacy: Processed locally in your browser. Files are not uploaded. Full policy
Why error-correction level H matters
QR codes carry four error-correction levels, each balancing data density against damage tolerance. Level H (30%) is the highest standard. Every code generated by this tool uses H because the platform logo sits inside the QR, obscuring part of the modules.
| Level | Recoverable damage | When to choose |
|---|---|---|
| L (7%) | 7% of modules | Clean digital displays only |
| M (15%) | 15% | Everyday print |
| Q (25%) | 25% | Small or low-contrast prints |
| H (30%) | 30% | Logos, business cards, harsh environments |
A photo QR code that carries a WhatsApp link and a small logo covers roughly 5-8% of the QR surface. Level H leaves a 22% safety margin â well above the logo, and enough to survive a slightly imperfect print or a scratched phone screen.
QR sizing rules for printed photos
The rule of thumb for scannable QR codes is that the code's width must be at least 1/10 of the scanning distance. Applied to printed photos:
- Business card (photo on card, scanned at 10-15 cm): QR should be 1.5 Ã 1.5 cm minimum.
- Poster (scanned at 1-2 m): QR should be 10-20 cm wide.
- Storefront window (scanned at 3-5 m from sidewalk): QR should be at least 30 cm wide.
If you are unsure, make the QR larger. An oversized QR is a mild aesthetic issue; an undersized QR fails silently. Our tool lets you set the QR size from 10% to 35% of the photo's smaller edge â 20-25% is the practical sweet spot for most prints.
Features
- Scannable QR: Every code is generated with high error correction. While this helps with minor damage, scan reliability ultimately depends on the QR size, contrast, and the scanning environment.
- Platform icon inside: The chosen platform's icon sits in the centre of the QR â helping users recognize what to expect when they scan.
- 11 platforms supported: WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, phone call, email, WiFi, website, SMS, digital contact card, and plain text â all handled with the right deep-link format.
- Original dimensions: The exported image keeps the original pixel dimensions. The QR overlay is rendered on top, without aggressive re-encoding.
- Live preview: Every change updates the preview in real time, so you can see the result before you download it.
- Browser processing: All processing happens inside your browser using the HTML5 Canvas API. The file is not uploaded to any server.
How to use
- Upload your photo đ¤: Click the upload area or drag an image into it. We support JPG, PNG, and WebP up to 50 MB. Nothing gets uploaded â the file is read locally by your browser. đ
- Choose a platform đ¯: Pick WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, Phone, Email, WiFi, Website, SMS, Contact, or plain text. The form updates to ask for the right details. âĄ
- Fill in your details âī¸: Type your phone number, social link, WiFi password, or message. The QR code updates in the preview as you type, so you see exactly what will be shared. đ
- Pick a corner and adjust đ¨: Choose top-left, top-right, bottom-left, or bottom-right. Use the sliders to make the QR bigger or smaller and to control the white padding around it. đī¸
- Download at full resolution âŦī¸: Click Download to save a PNG at the original photo resolution. The QR remains sharp and scannable at typical sizes â screen or print. đ¨ī¸
Frequently asked questions
Will the QR code still scan if I add a logo?
Yes, but scan reliability depends on size, contrast, placement, and the scanning environment. We use a high error-correction level to help the code remain readable, but you should test the final image with your own phone camera before mass printing.
What platforms can I generate QR codes for?
WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, WiFi, phone numbers, email, and plain text are all supported.
Does this tool support dynamic QR codes?
No. We generate static QR codes. Once you download the image, the destination URL or text cannot be changed.
Can I embed a logo in the QR code?
Yes. The tool automatically places the platform's icon in the center of the QR code.
Real-world use cases
- Adding a WhatsApp or Instagram link to printed business cards.
- Placing a WiFi password QR on a coffee shop table.
- Adding a website link to a printed event poster.
- Sharing contact details instantly without typing.
Limitations
- Only generates static QR codes (content cannot be changed after download).
- Does not support dynamic tracking (cannot track how many times it was scanned).
- Maximum photo size is limited by browser memory (usually 50MB).
- If printed too small, older phones may struggle to scan the logo-obscured QR.
QR error correction levels explained
QR codes support four levels of error correction. Higher correction means the code still scans even if part of it is covered or damaged â but it also means more modules (dots) for the same data, which makes the code visually denser.
| Level | Recoverable damage | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| L (Low) | 7% | Clean digital displays only |
| M (Medium) | 15% | Everyday print use |
| Q (Quartile) | 25% | Small or low-contrast prints |
| H (High) | 30% | Logos in the center, harsh environments, business cards |
This tool always uses level H because the platform logo sits inside the QR. Level H allows up to 30% of the surface to be obscured â well above the ~7-8% the logo covers.
Sizing rules for printed QR badges
The smaller the print, the closer the scanner must be. Use these minimums as a starting point and test with your actual phone before ordering thousands of copies.
- Business card (10 cm scan distance): 1.5 Ã 1.5 cm minimum.
- Flyer or menu (30 cm): 3 Ã 3 cm minimum.
- Poster (1 m): 10 Ã 10 cm minimum.
- Storefront or billboard (10 m): 1 Ã 1 m minimum.
As a rule of thumb, the QR side should be at least 1/10 of the scan distance. If the code and the phone camera will be 30 cm apart, the QR should be at least 3 cm wide.
11 supported platforms and what each encodes
Every platform uses a different deep-link format. This tool handles all of them automatically:
- WhatsApp:
wa.me/NUMBER?text=âĻâ opens a chat directly. - Facebook / Instagram / Telegram: opens the profile or channel URL.
- Phone:
tel:+âĻâ triggers the dialer. - Email:
mailto:âĻ?subject=âĻâ opens the mail app. - WiFi:
WIFI:T:WPA;S:SSID;P:password;;â connects without typing. - Website: plain https URL.
- SMS:
smsto:NUMBER:message. - Contact (vCard): embeds name, phone, email â saves straight to contacts.
- Plain text: a short message that appears on scan.
Related tools
- CV Builder â Build a professional CV in minutes. Real A4 templates, live preview, selectable-text PDF export, auto-save and full browser-side privacy.
- Visiting Card Maker â Design professional visiting cards in seconds. 20 premium templates â front & back. Free, private, exports PNG/JPG.