How do I format my number?

Use your full international number with country code and digits only — no plus sign, spaces, dashes or brackets, and drop any leading 0 used for domestic dialling. For example, UK 07911 123456 becomes 447911123456.

Can I add a pre-filled message?

Yes — type one and it’s URL-encoded automatically, so spaces, emojis and punctuation don’t break the link. The customer can edit it before sending.

Does it work with WhatsApp Business?

Yes. The code opens a chat to whichever WhatsApp account uses that number — personal or Business, it’s the same wa.me link.

Does the person scanning need to save my number first?

No — that’s the point of a click-to-chat link. Scanning opens a chat with you directly, even if your number isn’t in their contacts.

Will the WhatsApp QR code expire?

No. The wa.me link is encoded directly into the code, so it works forever, as long as that number stays on WhatsApp.

Can I change the number later?

No: the number is written into the pattern when you generate the code, so a new number means generating and printing a new one.

What happens if the scanner doesn’t have WhatsApp?

The wa.me link still opens, but in a browser rather than a chat, and nothing sends until WhatsApp is installed. If part of your audience may not have it, an SMS QR code is the safer choice.

Why does my code open an empty or wrong chat?

Almost always a number-format issue: a stray +, space, bracket or a leading 0 that should have been dropped. Re-check the digits-only international format and scan-test again.

Free WhatsApp QR Code Generator: Click to Chat (No Sign-Up)

Let customers WhatsApp you with a scan

Enter your number above (with country code) and an optional pre-filled message, and download a free WhatsApp QR code. Anyone who scans it opens a chat with you straight away, without saving your number first. It suits storefronts, packaging, menus, flyers and link-in-bio. There’s no watermark, no sign-up, and the code is generated in your browser.

To make yours:

1
Enter your number with country code
Digits only — for example 447911123456, with no +, spaces, dashes or brackets.
2
Add a pre-filled message (optional)
Such as “Hi, I’d like to order…”. It’s URL-encoded for you so emojis and punctuation don’t break the link.
3
Scan-test on a phone
Confirm it opens the right chat — especially if your message has emojis.
4
Download free
PNG for screens or vector SVG/PDF for print — no watermark.

How it works

There is no special “WhatsApp QR” format: the code simply contains your wa.me click-to-chat link (e.g. https://wa.me/447911123456). Any phone camera reads it, and the link hands off to WhatsApp. It works identically with WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business, because both use the same number.

Get the number format right

WhatsApp’s wa.me links want the full international number with country code, digits only. Drop the leading + and any spaces, dashes or brackets, and drop the leading 0 that some countries use for domestic dialling: a UK mobile written 07911 123456 becomes 447911123456. This is the single most common thing to get wrong, and a wrong number opens an empty chat or fails to find your account.

Where to use a WhatsApp QR code

Shop counters and storefront windows for “message us to order”
Product packaging and receipts for quick support
Flyers, posters and market stalls
Link-in-bio pages and social profiles
Property boards, service vans and trade signage for “WhatsApp me for a quote”
Event stands where a phone call would be too loud or slow

Want it branded? Add your logo with the logo guide. Putting it in print? Check the print-size guide. Prefer plain texts over WhatsApp? Use the SMS QR code generator instead.

Yes — free, no sign-up and no watermark, with no limit on how many you make.

WhatsApp QR code generator by industry

The same tool, written for a specific trade, with the wording and examples that trade uses.

Free WhatsApp QR code generator

Let customers WhatsApp you with a scan

Get the number format right

Where to use a WhatsApp QR code

WhatsApp QR code generator by industry

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