How to Make a QR Code for WiFi Password (Free, No App Needed)

Tired of guests asking for your WiFi password? Tired of spelling out "uppercase-P-lowercase-a-ampersand-dollar-sign" over and over? A WiFi QR code solves this permanently. Guests point their phone camera at it, tap once, and they're connected — no typing, no confusion.

This guide walks you through creating a WiFi QR code for free using MakeQR, with no account required and no watermarks on the result.

What Is a WiFi QR Code?

A WiFi QR code encodes your network credentials — SSID (network name), password, and security type — into a scannable image. When someone scans it with their phone, the device automatically prompts them to join that network. The password is never visible on screen; it's embedded in the QR pattern itself.

The format used is the industry-standard WIFI:T:WPA;S:YourNetwork;P:YourPassword;; string, which iOS (since iOS 11) and Android (since Android 10) both support natively. No app needed on the scanning device either.

Step 1 — Find Your WiFi Details

Before you open MakeQR, have these three pieces of information ready:

SSID (Network Name)

This is the name of your WiFi network — what people see when they browse available networks. It's case-sensitive. "CafeGuest" and "cafeguest" are different networks.

• Windows: Click the WiFi icon in the taskbar → hover over your network → the name shown is your SSID
• Mac: Click the WiFi icon in the menu bar → your connected network has a checkmark next to it
• Router label: Most routers have the SSID printed on a sticker on the bottom or back

Password

The WiFi password (also called a passphrase or network key). Find it on your router sticker, in your router admin panel, or in your device's saved network settings.

• Mac: Open Keychain Access → search for your network name → double-click → check "Show password"
• Windows: Settings → Network & Internet → WiFi → your network → Show → Show character
• iPhone: Settings → WiFi → tap the info icon next to your network → Password (iOS 16+)

Security Type

Nearly all modern routers use WPA2 or WPA3. If you're unsure, select WPA/WPA2 — it works for both. Only select WEP for very old routers (pre-2005), and consider upgrading if that's what you have.

Step 2 — Create Your WiFi QR Code on MakeQR

Go to makeqr.daylab.dev. No sign-up required.

1. Select the WiFi QR type — In the QR type selector at the top of the editor, choose WiFi. The input fields will update to show SSID, Password, and Security Type fields.
2. Enter your SSID — Type your network name exactly as it appears. Capitalization matters.
3. Enter your password — Type your WiFi password. A show/hide toggle lets you verify what you've typed.
4. Select security type — Choose WPA/WPA2 (most common), WPA3, WEP, or None (open network).
5. Hidden network? — If your router is set to not broadcast its SSID, enable the Hidden Network toggle. This adds a hidden flag to the QR data so phones know to connect even without seeing the network listed.

The QR code preview updates in real time as you type. You'll see a live preview on the right side of the editor.

Step 3 — Customize the Look

A plain black-and-white QR code works perfectly fine, but MakeQR lets you make it match your brand or space — completely free.

Colors

Change the foreground color to match your brand palette. The background color can be transparent if you're placing the QR on a colored sign or card. Keep contrast high — the darker the QR pattern against the background, the more reliably it scans.

Logo

Add your café logo, hotel logo, or a WiFi symbol icon to the center of the QR code. MakeQR automatically adjusts the error correction level so the QR remains scannable even with a logo covering part of the pattern. Keep the logo under 30% of the QR area for best results.

Shape & Style

Customize the dot style (square, rounded, dots) and the corner eye shape to create a QR code that feels designed rather than generated. Rounded styles tend to look friendlier for hospitality settings; square styles look more professional for offices.

Step 4 — Download

Click Download and choose your format:

• SVG — Best for printing. Vector format scales to any size without pixelation. Use this if you're sending to a printer or placing on signage.
• PNG — Best for digital use: websites, digital menus, email footers, Canva, etc. Download at 2x or 3x for retina displays.

No watermarks. No "Created with MakeQR" stamp. The file is yours.

Step 5 — Print and Place

For scanning to work reliably, follow these printing guidelines:

• Minimum size: 2 × 2 cm (about 0.8 × 0.8 inches) for close-range scanning. For table tents or signs that people scan from 30+ cm away, use at least 5 × 5 cm.
• High contrast: Print on white or very light backgrounds. Avoid glossy finishes that create glare.
• Laminate it: For café tables or hotel rooms, lamination protects from spills and extends life significantly.
• Test before you print 50 copies: Print one, scan it with both an iPhone and an Android device to confirm it works.

How to Scan a WiFi QR Code

iPhone (iOS 11+)

Open the built-in Camera app (not a QR scanner app — the default camera). Point it at the QR code and hold steady. A notification banner appears at the top of the screen: "Join [NetworkName]". Tap the banner. Done.

Android (Android 10+)

Open Camera and point it at the QR code. A prompt to join the network appears. On some Android skins (Samsung One UI, etc.), you may need to use the QR scanner within Settings → WiFi → tap the QR icon in the top-right corner.

Older Devices

For Android 9 and below, a free QR scanner app (Google Lens, QR & Barcode Scanner) works. Google Lens is pre-installed on most Android devices and handles WiFi QR codes natively.

WPA2 vs WPA3 — Which Should You Use?

Both WPA2 and WPA3 are supported in the WiFi QR standard. Here's what to know:

• WPA2 — The current standard for most home and business routers. Compatible with virtually all devices made after 2006. If you're not sure what your router uses, this is the safe choice.
• WPA3 — Newer standard with stronger encryption. Required if your router is set to WPA3-only mode. Not all older client devices (phones, laptops) support it.
• WPA/WPA2 mixed mode — Most modern routers offer this as a compatibility option. Select WPA/WPA2 in MakeQR if your router uses mixed mode.
• WEP — Old and insecure. Only use if your router is genuinely ancient. Consider replacing it.
• None (Open) — For open networks with no password. Common in transit locations. Be aware that open networks transmit data unencrypted.

Hidden SSID Networks

If you've configured your router to hide its SSID (it won't appear in the list of available networks), enable the Hidden Network option in MakeQR. The QR code will include the H:true flag, instructing the phone to connect to the network even though it's not broadcasting. Note that hidden SSIDs provide minimal security benefit and can cause connectivity issues on some devices — use WPA2/WPA3 with a strong password instead for real security.

Where to Use WiFi QR Codes

Cafés & Coffee Shops

Place a printed QR code on each table, at the counter, and at the entrance. Use your brand colors so it looks intentional, not like an afterthought. Update the QR code when you rotate passwords for security — with MakeQR, regenerating takes under 30 seconds.

Hotels & Vacation Rentals

Put the QR code in the welcome packet, on the bedside table card, and behind the room door. Airbnb hosts: add it to your check-in instructions PDF and print one for the key box area. Guests arriving late at night especially appreciate not having to find a password in the dark.

Offices & Coworking Spaces

Create separate QR codes for the employee network and the guest/visitor network. Post the guest QR at reception and in meeting rooms. Never put the main corporate network QR where visitors can access it.

Events & Conferences

Include the WiFi QR code on event signage, the venue screen, and printed programs. For large events, coordinate with the venue IT team to ensure the network can handle the load before publicizing the QR code.

Home Use

Frame a small printed QR code in the guest bathroom or living room. When family or friends visit, they can connect without interrupting you. Bonus: you never have to read out your 20-character WPA2 passphrase again.

Tips & Troubleshooting

• QR code won't scan: Check that the SSID and password are entered exactly right — no extra spaces at the start or end. Special characters in passwords (like & or ") should be entered as-is; MakeQR handles the escaping automatically.
• Phone connects but has no internet: The QR code is working correctly — the problem is with your router or ISP, not the QR code.
• Network password changed: Generate a new QR code with the updated password. The old QR code will still scan but authentication will fail. Replace printed copies.
• iOS says "Unable to join": Double-check the security type. If your router uses WPA3-only mode but you selected WPA2, it won't connect. Try changing to WPA3 in MakeQR.
• QR code too small to scan: Reprint at a larger size. The minimum reliable scanning size is 2 × 2 cm for a modern phone at arm's length.

Why Use MakeQR for WiFi QR Codes

Most free QR generators add watermarks, limit downloads, or require account creation. MakeQR is genuinely free with no limitations on WiFi QR codes: no sign-up, no watermarks, no scan count caps, no expiry date. The QR code you generate today will still work in five years.

The editor runs entirely in your browser. Your WiFi password is never sent to any server — it's processed locally and embedded directly into the QR image on your device.

Ready to create yours? Open MakeQR, select WiFi, and you'll have a scannable QR code in under 30 seconds.