SMS QR Code Generator
Enter a phone number and optional pre-filled message below. Customise colours and style, then download your SMS QR code.
PNG, JPG, or WebP. Logo is embedded in the center of the QR code. Use High error correction for best results.
Your SMS QR code will appear here
Enter a phone number and click "Generate"
What is an SMS QR Code?
The fastest way to get people messaging you — number and text already filled in, one tap to send.
An SMS QR code encodes a phone number — and optionally a pre-written message — into a scannable
pattern using the standard smsto: URI scheme. When someone points their smartphone camera at
the code, their native messaging app opens instantly with your number already entered and your message
pre-populated in the compose field. They simply press send. No typing, no searching for contacts, no risk
of copying the wrong number.
Under the hood the payload is straightforward: smsto:+15550001234:Join our newsletter!.
QRMint builds this string automatically from the fields you fill in, then wraps it in a fully customisable
QR image you can download as PNG or SVG at up to 2048×2048 px — crisp enough for any
printed flyer, poster, or digital display.
You can also generate SMS QR codes programmatically via our free REST API.
Pass the pre-formatted smsto: payload as the data parameter alongside your
styling preferences and the API returns a ready-to-use image in milliseconds. No API key is ever
required — ideal for automated campaign material or bulk print generation.
When to Use an SMS QR Code
Any time you want people to text you — without them having to type a single digit.
Marketing Campaigns
Print an SMS QR code on flyers, billboards, or product packaging. Pre-fill a keyword like "OFFER" so customers opt into your SMS marketing list with one scan. Every scan that results in a sent message is a verified mobile number added to your campaign — no web form, no friction, no drop-off halfway through a URL.
Event RSVPs
Display an SMS QR code at your venue entrance or on event invitations. Pre-fill a message such as "RSVP YES [Name]" directed to your event hotline. Attendees confirm attendance in seconds and you collect their numbers automatically — no app, no registration form, just a quick scan and a tap on send.
Customer Opt-Ins
Place SMS QR codes at your point of sale, on receipts, or inside packaging inserts. A pre-filled opt-in keyword (e.g. "JOIN") sent to your shortcode turns a physical touchpoint into a direct marketing channel. Customers who scan have already shown intent — conversion rates are significantly higher than cold sign-up forms.
Emergency Contacts
Post SMS QR codes in break rooms, server rooms, or safety noticeboards with your on-call number pre-loaded. In a stressful situation, staff scan and send without searching for a contact or reading a number off a laminated sheet. Pre-fill a short message like "EMERGENCY at Building A" so first responders get context instantly.
Voting & Polls
Run SMS-based polls at conferences, classrooms, or live events. Create one QR code per option (e.g. "VOTE A", "VOTE B") and display them side by side. Attendees scan their choice and send in seconds. Because SMS delivery is near-universal, your poll reaches every participant regardless of whether they have a data connection or a specific app installed.
Loyalty Programs
Add an SMS QR code to loyalty cards, till receipts, or table markers in your restaurant. Customers scan to send their first check-in message, automatically enrolling in your rewards programme. Pre-fill a keyword like "POINTS" so your backend can identify the campaign source and credit the right account without any manual lookup.
How SMS QR Codes Work
The smsto: protocol — three steps from scan to sent message.
1. Enter Phone Number & Message
Type the destination phone number in international format (e.g. +15550001234) and
optionally write the message you want pre-filled in the compose field. QRMint builds the
smsto:+15550001234:Your message here payload automatically. Leave the message blank
if you just want the number pre-loaded without any text.
2. Customise & Download
Choose colours that match your brand, pick a module shape and eye style, and optionally apply a frame template like "Scan Me" for extra clarity. Upload your logo to embed it at the centre of the code. Export as PNG for digital use or SVG for large-format print at any resolution up to 2048×2048 px.
3. Scan Opens Messaging App
When a user scans the code with any modern smartphone camera, iOS and Android both recognise the
smsto: protocol and open the native Messages app. The phone number and pre-filled text
appear in the compose window. The user reviews the message and taps send — the whole flow takes
under five seconds. No app installation required on either end.
Why Use QRMint for SMS QR Codes
The most capable free SMS QR code generator. No limits, no account, no catch.
Fully Custom Styling
Choose from four module shapes, four eye shapes, and unlimited foreground and background colour combinations including linear and radial gradients. Your SMS QR code looks like your brand — not a generic black square slapped on a flyer.
Frame Templates
Apply a "Scan Me" or custom frame to add a clear call-to-action label beneath the QR pattern. Customise the frame text (e.g. "SCAN TO TEXT US" or "JOIN OUR LIST") so people know exactly what will happen when they point their camera.
Logo Embedding
Upload your brand logo (PNG, JPG, or WebP) and it will be centred inside the QR code. Use High error correction to keep the code reliably scannable even with the logo obscuring part of the pattern. Ideal for branded campaign materials.
Print-Quality Output
Export up to 2048×2048 px PNG or infinite-resolution SVG. Your SMS QR code stays pixel-perfect on everything from a business card insert to a full-size A0 exhibition banner.
SMS QR Code FAQ
What gets pre-filled when someone scans an SMS QR code?
The QR code encodes a smsto: URI containing two parts: the destination phone number
and an optional message body. When scanned, the phone number is placed in the "To" field of the
native Messages app, and the message text — if you provided one — is placed in the
compose field. The user sees both fields already filled and simply taps the send button. Nothing is
sent automatically; the user always has the opportunity to review or edit before sending.
Does the SMS send automatically when someone scans?
No. Scanning an SMS QR code never sends a message automatically. The smsto: protocol
only opens the messaging app with the fields pre-populated — the user must explicitly tap the
send button. This is by design and is enforced by both iOS and Android operating systems. It ensures
user consent at every step and means you will never accidentally spam anyone from a stray scan.
Do SMS QR codes work with international phone numbers?
Yes. Always use the full international format including country code and the leading
+ sign (e.g. +44 7911 123456 for a UK number or +1 555 000 1234
for a US number). This ensures the QR code works correctly regardless of what country the person
scanning it is in. If you omit the country code, the messaging app may default to the user's local
dialling prefix, which could result in the message going to the wrong number.
Is there a character limit for the pre-filled message?
The QR code itself imposes a data capacity limit — longer messages create a denser, more complex pattern. For reliable scanning at typical print sizes, keep your pre-filled message under 160 characters (the standard single-SMS length). Longer messages are technically possible but increase QR complexity and can cause scan failures at small sizes or low resolution. If you need a longer message, consider using a URL QR code linking to a web form instead.
What is the difference between an SMS QR code and a phone QR code?
A phone QR code uses the tel: protocol and opens the phone dialler with a number
pre-filled — it is intended to initiate a voice call. An SMS QR code uses the
smsto: protocol and opens the messaging app for a text message. Use a phone QR code
when you want people to call you, and an SMS QR code when you want them to send a text. QRMint
supports both types — you can switch between them using the QR Code Type selector in the
generator above or on the main generator page.
Need other QR code types? QRMint also generates URL, vCard, Email, Phone, WiFi, Event, Payment, and Location QR codes — all free, no signup, with the same full styling options.