How to Create a vCard QR Code for Your Business Card

A vCard QR code lets people save your contact information directly to their phone with a single scan—no typing required. Here's how to create one and use it effectively.

What is a vCard QR Code?

A vCard (Virtual Contact File) is a standard file format for sharing contact information. When encoded in a QR code, scanning it prompts the phone to add a new contact with all your details pre-filled.

A vCard QR code can include:

• Full name and title
• Company/organization
• Phone numbers (work, mobile, home)
• Email addresses
• Website URL
• Physical address
• Job title

How to Create a vCard QR Code

1. Go to our QR Code Generator
2. Click the "vCard" tab
3. Fill in your contact information:
   • First and last name (required)
   • Phone number
   • Email address
   • Company and job title
   • Website URL
4. Customize the colors if desired
5. Download as PNG or SVG
6. Add to your business card design

vCard QR Code Best Practices

1. Keep It Simple

More data means a denser QR code that's harder to scan. Include only essential information—name, primary phone, primary email, and website. Skip the home phone or fax number unless truly necessary.

2. Size Matters

For business cards, the QR code should be at least 0.8 inches (2 cm) square. Since vCards contain more data than a simple URL, err on the larger side—1 inch is ideal if space allows.

3. Test Before Printing

Always test your vCard QR code on multiple devices before printing hundreds of business cards. Check that all information appears correctly when saved as a contact.

4. Use High Contrast

Dark code on light background works best. If you customize colors, ensure there's enough contrast for reliable scanning. Avoid light colors for the code itself.

5. Include a Call-to-Action

Add text near the QR code like "Scan to save contact" so people know what it does. Not everyone automatically knows what a QR code will do.

Where to Use vCard QR Codes

• Business cards: The most common use—makes networking effortless
• Email signatures: Let recipients save your contact with one click
• Resumes/CVs: Help recruiters save your information
• Name badges: Perfect for conferences and events
• Office door signs: Visitors can save your contact
• LinkedIn profile: Complement your digital presence
• Presentation slides: Share your contact after a talk

vCard QR Code vs URL QR Code

Why use a vCard QR code instead of linking to your website or LinkedIn?

Pro tip: If you need updateable contact info, consider using a URL QR code linking to a digital business card page that you can update. Some services offer this as a "dynamic vCard."

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Including too much data: Every field you add makes the QR code denser and harder to scan
• Using the wrong phone format: Include country code (+1 for US) for international use
• Making it too small: Business card QR codes need to be at least 0.8 inches
• Forgetting to test: Always scan your QR code before printing
• Low contrast colors: Light gray on white won't scan reliably
• No quiet zone: Leave white space around the code

Technical: How vCard Format Works

For the technically curious, here's what a vCard looks like inside the QR code:

BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:3.0
N:Doe;John
FN:John Doe
ORG:Acme Inc.
TITLE:Software Engineer
TEL:+1-555-123-4567
EMAIL:john@example.com
URL:https://example.com
END:VCARD

This standardized format ensures compatibility across iPhone, Android, and other devices. Our generator handles all the formatting automatically.

Design Tips for Business Cards

• Place the QR code on the back of the card to keep the front clean
• Use a matte finish—glossy cards can cause glare when scanning
• Match the QR code color to your brand while maintaining contrast
• Leave adequate white space (quiet zone) around the code
• Add "Scan to save contact" text near the code