How to Make a WiFi QR Code Guests Can Scan
Reading your WiFi password aloud, spelling out every special character, then doing it again for the next guest gets old fast. A wifi qr code fixes that: your guest points their phone camera at it and taps the prompt to join, no typing required.
This guide walks you through making one with Tooldrop's WiFi QR Code tool. It's free, there's no sign-up and no limits, and the whole thing runs in your browser, so your network password is never uploaded anywhere. Enter your details, the code appears instantly, and you download it as a PNG you can print or share.
Step by step
- 1Open the WiFi QR Code tool at /qr/wifi. There's nothing to install and no account to create, so you can start right away.
- 2In the 'Network name (SSID)' field, type your network's exact name. Capitalisation matters, so match it character-for-character to what your router broadcasts. As soon as you type it, a live QR preview appears on the right.
- 3Enter your WiFi password in the 'Password' field. Pick the matching 'Security' option from the dropdown: WPA/WPA2 for almost all modern routers, WEP for older ones, or 'None' for an open network (the password field disables itself when you choose None).
- 4If your network name is intentionally hidden and doesn't appear in the WiFi list, tick the 'Hidden network' checkbox so phones still recognise it. Leave it unchecked for a normal, visible network.
- 5Check the preview, then click 'Download PNG' to save the image (it downloads as wifi-qr.png). Use that file to print a card for the fridge or guest room, or send it to someone directly.
- 6Test it before you rely on it: open your phone's camera, point it at the QR code, and tap the 'Join network' prompt that pops up. If it connects, you're done.
When a WiFi QR code is worth making
Anywhere people connect once and shouldn't have to ask for the password again. A printed card on the fridge or by the front door means houseguests join themselves the moment they arrive.
It's just as useful in a small office, a cafe, an Airbnb or holiday rental, a waiting room, or at an event. It also saves you from saying a long password out loud, which matters when your password is a deliberately strong mix of symbols and mixed case that's painful to dictate.
Tips for a code that scans first time
Match the SSID and password exactly, including capital letters and symbols. A QR code that auto-joins is only as correct as what you typed, and one wrong character means a failed connection with no obvious explanation.
Choose the right security type. WPA/WPA2 covers the vast majority of home and office routers; only switch to WEP if you genuinely have an older network. When you print, keep the code a reasonable size (a few centimetres across is plenty) and avoid stretching, glare, or laminating over a glossy surface that reflects light back at the camera. Because the file is a clean PNG, it stays sharp whether you drop it into a document, a sign, or a welcome card.
Is it safe and private?
Yes. The QR code is generated right inside your browser, so your network name and password are never uploaded to a server. There's nothing to sign up for and no account that stores your details.
Do keep in mind what the code itself contains, though: anyone who scans it can join your network, so treat a printed wifi qr code like the password it represents. Share it with people you'd give the password to anyway, and don't post it publicly. If you ever change your WiFi password, just generate a fresh code and replace the old one.
Common problems and quick fixes
Phone won't join after scanning? The usual cause is a typo in the SSID or password, or the wrong security type selected, so double-check all three and regenerate. Some older phones also need you to open the camera app fully (not a quick-glance widget) for the join prompt to appear.
Network doesn't show up at all? If it's a hidden network, make sure the 'Hidden network' box is ticked before you download. And if you changed any detail after downloading, grab a new PNG, since the old image still encodes the old information.
Frequently asked questions
Is the WiFi QR Code tool really free, with no sign-up?
Does my WiFi password get uploaded anywhere?
What security type should I choose?
Will the QR code work on both iPhone and Android?
Tools used in this guide
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