How to use it
- Enter the email address that should receive the messages.
- Add a subject line and, optionally, a short message.
- Style the code and scan it with your phone to test.
- Download PNG, SVG or PDF, or a printable card.
How an email QR code works
An email QR code holds a mailto: link, the same kind of link you click on websites. When scanned, the phone opens its default mail app with the recipient, subject and body filled in:
mailto:help@example.com?subject=Order%20question&body=Hi%2C%20I%20have%20a%20question%20about...
The code does not send anything by itself. The person sees the draft, can edit it, and decides whether to send it. Spaces and special characters are encoded for you.
Everything happens in your browser; the address and message are never uploaded.
Ideas: subject lines that save you time
A fixed subject line makes incoming messages easy to sort and filter.
| Where | Subject | Message starter |
|---|---|---|
| Product packaging | Product question – [model] | I have a question about: |
| Flyer | Quote request – flyer | I'd like a quote for: |
| Front desk | Feedback | Here's what I'd like to share: |
| Event poster | RSVP – [event] | Name: / Number of guests: |
| Equipment label | Issue – [machine ID] | What's happening: |
| Job posting | Application – [position] | My resume is attached. |
If you put codes in several places, add a location tag to each subject ("– Booth 12," "– Store 3"). That's a simple way to see which placement works, no tracking service needed.
What to know before you print
- A mail app is required. If someone has no mail app set up, their phone may suggest one or do nothing. Print the email address next to the code as a fallback.
- Keep the message short. Every character goes into the code, and a long template makes the pattern dense and harder to scan.
- Line breaks can be encoded, but mail apps treat them differently. One-line prompts ("Name: …, Phone: …") are safer.
- No attachments.
mailto:only carries text. Ask people to attach files in your message text.
Prefer a call or text? Use a phone number QR code or an SMS QR code. To share all your details at once, a vCard QR code is the better fit.
Design, size and downloads
Style the code in the same studio as the main QR code generator: templates, colors, gradients, your logo or a built-in envelope icon, and a frame with a label like "Email us."
- Size: at least one tenth of the scanning distance, and no smaller than 0.8 in (2 cm). A longer message means a denser code, so print it bigger.
- Format: PDF or SVG for flyers and stickers, PNG for websites and newsletters, or the printable A6 card for a counter.
- Check: the readability check flags low contrast and dense codes, and the live scan test decodes the rendered code and compares it with your content.
Privacy and spam tips
- Anyone who scans or photographs the code can read the address. For public places, use a shared address (info@, support@) rather than your personal inbox.
- Set up a mail filter on the fixed subject line to route QR messages into their own folder.
- Don't ask for sensitive information such as passwords or card numbers in the template text.
- Static codes can't be edited, so don't print a long-lasting sign for an address you might retire.
Frequently asked questions
Does the QR code send the email automatically?
No. It opens a pre-filled draft, and the person decides whether to send it.
Can I pre-fill the subject and body?
Yes. Add a subject line and a short message, and both appear in the draft.
Will it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes, as long as the phone has a mail app set up. Print the address next to the code as a backup.
Does the email QR code expire?
No. It's static and works as long as the email address does.
Is my email address uploaded?
No. The code is created in your browser.