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Wi-Fi QR codes for shops, cafés and offices

A Wi-Fi QR code lets customers, guests or staff join your network by pointing their phone camera at it, without typing a password. It contains your network name, security type and password, and the phone offers to connect. For most shops, cafés and offices, the best approach is to create the code for a separate guest network and display it on a table card or sign.

How a Wi-Fi QR code works

A Wi-Fi QR code stores your network details in a standard text format that phones recognise. When someone scans it, the phone reads three main pieces of information:

  • the network name, known as the SSID (Service Set Identifier)
  • the security type, such as WPA2
  • the password

Instead of opening a web page, the phone shows a prompt to join that network. The person taps to confirm and connects.

The camera apps on recent iPhones and Android phones support this directly. Some older phones may need a separate scanner app, and a few may not support Wi-Fi codes at all, so it is worth keeping the network name and password visible somewhere for anyone who cannot scan.

The code does not connect to the internet or to any service of its own. It simply passes the details to the phone. That also means it keeps working only as long as those details stay the same.

Details to enter

Accuracy matters. If any field is wrong, the phone will try to join and fail, often with an unhelpful message.

Network name (SSID)

Enter the network name exactly as it appears in the list of networks on a phone or laptop. It is case-sensitive, so “CafeGuest” and “cafeguest” are different networks. Watch for spaces, hyphens and similar-looking characters. If you are unsure, check the label on your router or its admin settings.

Security type

Choose the option that matches your router’s settings:

  • WPA/WPA2/WPA3: the right choice for almost all modern networks. WPA2 and WPA3 are current security standards that protect traffic with a password. Some phones may not join a network that allows WPA3 only from a code; if that happens, test with the router’s WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode.
  • WEP: an old standard that is no longer considered secure. Use it only if your equipment offers nothing else, and consider upgrading.
  • None (open network): for networks that anyone can join without a password. The password field is left empty.

Password

Enter the Wi-Fi password exactly, including capital letters, numbers and symbols. This is the network password, not the password for logging in to the router’s admin page.

Hidden network

Tick the hidden network option only if your network does not broadcast its name, meaning it does not appear in the list of available networks. Most business guest networks are visible, so leave this off unless you have deliberately hidden yours.

Use a separate guest network

Anyone who scans the code can read the password. Phones can show the saved password in their Wi-Fi settings, and any QR scanner app shows the full contents of the code. You should therefore treat a printed Wi-Fi code as making the password public.

For this reason, do not put your main business network on a public sign. Most modern routers can run a guest network alongside the main one. A guest network typically:

  • keeps visitors away from your tills, printers, cameras and office computers
  • can have its own password, which you can change without disrupting staff devices
  • may allow limits on speed or connection time, depending on the router

Check your router’s admin settings or ask your internet provider how to enable it.

When you change the password

A Wi-Fi QR code is fixed. It stores the password as it was when you created the code, and it cannot be updated after printing. If you change the guest password, every printed code will stop working.

When you change the password:

  1. Create a new code with the new password.
  2. Scan it with at least two phones to confirm it connects.
  3. Print and replace every old card and sign at the same time.
  4. Remove or destroy the old cards so they do not cause confusion.

Some businesses change the guest password on a regular schedule, such as every few months. If you do, plan the reprint at the same time.

Printing a table card or sign

A clear, well-placed sign makes the code easy to use. Some practical points:

  • Add a short heading such as “Free Wi-Fi: scan to join” so people know what the code is for.
  • Print the network name and password in text below the code for anyone whose phone cannot scan it.
  • Print the code large enough to scan comfortably at arm’s length. Table cards and counter signs work well at around 3 to 5 cm across; wall signs should be larger.
  • Use a dark code on a light background, and leave a clear margin around it.
  • Avoid glossy laminate where there is strong overhead lighting, as glare can make scanning difficult.
  • Test a printed copy in place, at the table or counter, before printing the full set.

You can download the code as PNG, SVG or PDF from our QR Code Generator, then place it on cards or labels using our Label Maker. If you plan to add your logo to the code, read why a QR code with a logo may not scan first.

Privacy

Your Wi-Fi password is sensitive, so it is worth knowing where it goes. Our generator creates the code entirely in your web browser. The network name and password are not uploaded to our server and not included in any analytics. If you send the code to the Label Maker, it is held only in that browser tab and cleared when you close the tab. Otherwise they are gone as soon as you close the page, unless you have saved the downloaded file.

Create your Wi-Fi code

Open the QR Code Generator, choose the Wi-Fi type, enter your network details, and download the code for printing. It is free, with no account and no watermark.