What is a vCard QR code?

It is a QR code that encodes a vCard 3.0 contact record. When someone scans it with their phone camera, they can save your name, phone, email, organisation, website and address straight to their address book in one tap.

Will it work on iPhone and Android?

Yes. iOS Camera and Android Camera both recognise vCard payloads natively and prompt the user to add the contact. The same QR works in any QR reader app that supports the vCard spec.

Which fields are required?

At minimum you need one of name, phone or email — an empty vCard is not useful. Everything else (organisation, title, website, address, note) is optional.

This generator emits vCard 3.0, which has the broadest support across iOS and Android. vCard 4.0 is supported by fewer scanners and offers no extra benefit for this use case.

Is my contact data sent anywhere?

No. The vCard is assembled and encoded into the QR code entirely in your browser using the open-source qrcode library. Nothing is uploaded, logged, or stored on our servers.

Why is my QR code so dense?

vCards with long addresses, notes and multiple phone numbers produce large payloads. Drop optional fields, or lower the error correction level if you only need it for screens (not print).

Online Tool

vCard QR Code Generator

Turn your contact details into a scannable QR code. One tap from the camera saves your name, phone, email and more to the address book — no app required.

First name

Last name

Organisation

Job title

Mobile phone

Work phone

Website

Address

Street

City

Region / state

Postcode

Country

Note

QR appearance

Error correction

Size320px

Quiet zone2 modules

Foreground

Background

vCard payload

BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:3.0
FN:Read Barcode
N:Barcode;Read;;;
ORG:ReadBarcode
TITLE:Founder
TEL;TYPE=CELL,VOICE:+1 555 0100
EMAIL;TYPE=INTERNET:[email protected]
URL:https://readbarcode.com
END:VCARD

Files are generated on your device — nothing is uploaded.

iPhone

Open the Camera app, point at the QR, and tap the contact notification to add to Contacts.

Android

Open the Camera (or Google Lens) on Android 10+, point at the QR, and tap Add contact.

Desktop

Download the .vcf and double-click it in macOS Contacts, Outlook or Google Contacts — fields import automatically.

About the vCard QR code generator

The ReadBarcode vCard QR code generator packs your contact details into a single QR code that any modern phone camera can save straight to the address book. Print it on a business card, add it to an email signature, or stick it next to your booth at a conference — one scan, full contact saved.

The payload is a standard vCard 3.0 record, the format with the widest support across iOS, Android and desktop contact apps. Generation happens entirely in your browser — your phone number and email never leave your device.

When to use it

Printed business cards — a QR on the back saves typing.
Conference badges and trade-show booths.
Email signatures and PDF brochures.
Onboarding packs — share the account manager's contact in one scan.
Real-estate flyers, restaurant menus, service-provider leaflets.
Personal websites — let visitors save your contact instantly.

How it works

1Step 1
Fill in the basics
Name, phone or email is enough. Add organisation, title and address as needed.
2Step 2
Add optional details
Website, work phone, postal address, short note — each one makes the QR denser.
3Step 3
Pick error correction
M is the default. Use Q or H if you plan to print small or place a logo overlay.
4Step 4
Download PNG, SVG or .vcf
PNG for screens, SVG for crisp print, .vcf for direct email attachments.
5Step 5
Test before you print
Scan with the iPhone Camera and Android Camera to confirm the contact saves cleanly.

What to avoid

Dumping an essay into the note field — the QR turns into a dense block that struggles to scan from a distance.
Skipping the name and only adding a phone — some scanners refuse to save a contact without a display name.
Embedding sensitive private addresses you do not want strangers to scan from your back-of-card QR.
Using a website URL without https:// — older scanners may not recognise it as a link.
Inverting colours (light QR on dark background) — many phone cameras refuse to scan them.

Tips & tricks

Keep the QR at least 25 mm wide when printed on a business card.
Drop fields you do not use — every extra field grows the QR.
Generate a separate QR for personal vs work contact details.
Use the QR Code Reader on this site to confirm the vCard parses correctly before you print a batch.
Pair with the Wi-Fi QR generator on rental welcome cards for a complete one-scan setup.