vCard QR Code: Share Your Contact Details Instantly
A vCard QR code contains a complete electronic business card, so a single scan offers to add you to the phone address book. Name, company, job title, phone numbers, email, website and address all travel inside the code. Nothing is stored online, so the details cannot leak from a third-party server.
The vCard format explained
vCard is the standard contact format used by iOS, Android and email programs. The code holds plain text that starts with BEGIN:VCARD and VERSION:3.0, followed by fields such as N (structured name), FN (display name), ORG, TITLE, TEL;TYPE=CELL, EMAIL, URL and ADR, and ends with END:VCARD. Version 3.0 has the broadest compatibility with older phones; version 4.0 is also available.
Keep it scannable
- Every extra field adds data and makes the code denser. Include what people actually need, usually name, mobile, email and company.
- Write phone numbers in international form, for example +44 20 7946 0000, so they dial correctly abroad.
- A dense vCard needs more space: print it at least 2.5 cm wide on a business card and keep the quiet zone clear.
- If you want a much smaller code, MeCard is a compact alternative with fewer fields.
Privacy considerations
Everything you enter is readable by anyone who scans the code, so leave out a home address or private number if the card will be handed out widely. Unlike online profile links, a vCard cannot be updated later, which also means it cannot be changed by someone else.
How to make it
- Open Create and choose Contact (vCard).
- Fill in your name and the phone, email, company and web fields you want to share.
- Keep vCard 3.0 selected unless you specifically need 4.0.
- Style the code, check that the scan test passes, and export SVG or PDF for printing.
Frequently asked questions
Does a vCard QR code work on iPhone and Android?
Yes. Both built-in camera apps recognise vCard data and show an option to create a new contact with the fields filled in.
Can I update my vCard QR code later?
No. The contact data is stored inside the code, so a new phone number means a new code. If you change jobs often, consider a URL code that points to a profile page you manage.
Why is my vCard QR code so dense?
Long addresses, notes and several phone numbers add characters. Remove optional fields or shorten them to get a cleaner code that scans faster.
Can I add a photo to the vCard?
A photo would make the data far larger than a QR code can comfortably hold, so it is not included. Add a website link to a page with your photo instead.