How to use it
- Fill in the fields you want to share. Every field is optional, but add at least a name.
- Keep the details short: every character makes the code denser.
- Download it and scan it to check the contact looks right before printing business cards.
What's included
ScanHatch writes a vCard 3.0 contact, the format used by phone contact apps and email programs. It can include first and last name, organisation, job title, phone number, email, website and a postal address (street, city, county or state, postcode and country).
Photos and logos inside the contact aren't included: an image would make the QR code far too large to scan. You can still put your logo in the middle of the QR code itself.
vCard or compact contact?
If the code is going somewhere small, such as a name badge, the compact contact type (MeCard) holds name, phone, email and website in fewer characters, producing a simpler code. It's available in the same generator under “Contact (compact)”. Use vCard when you want the job title, company and address too.
Compatibility
- Current iPhone and Android cameras recognise vCard codes and offer to add the contact.
- How fields appear can vary slightly between contact apps, so test with the phones your audience is likely to use.
- The details are fixed in the code. If your number or job changes, print a new code.
Business card tips
- Print the code at least 2 cm wide on a business card, with a white margin around it.
- A vCard with all fields filled is dense. If it looks busy, remove the address or use the compact type.
Frequently asked questions
Will it save my photo?
No. Contact photos are too large for a QR code. Only text details are included.
Can people see my details without saving them?
Yes. Anyone who scans the code can read the details, so only include what you're happy to share.
Can I update the contact later?
Not in a printed code. The details are stored in the code, so changes need a new code.
Other QR code types
Further reading
Need a different kind of QR code, such as an event or plain text? Open the full QR Code Generator.