SMS QR Code Generator

Generate a QR code that opens a pre-filled SMS.

Include country code, e.g. +1 415 555 0100.

400 px
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Enter a phone number to preview your QR code.

Generate an SMS QR code with a pre-filled message

An SMS QR code opens the scanner's messaging app with your phone number and a message already filled in. The person just hits send. That removes the two biggest points of friction in text-based campaigns: nobody has to type a phone number off a poster, and nobody has to compose the keyword or message themselves.

This free SMS QR code generator builds the standard SMSTO format that iPhone and Android cameras recognize natively. Enter your phone number with the country code, write the pre-filled message, and download the code as a PNG. Like all of our QR tools it runs entirely in your browser, so the number and message are never uploaded anywhere.

Typical uses include text-to-join lists on flyers, service or repair requests on equipment stickers, SMS feedback on receipts and packaging, and contest entries on signage. Because the message is pre-filled, you can include a keyword or reference code that tells you exactly which poster or location the text came from.

How to make an SMS QR code

  1. Enter the phone number

    Type the receiving number in international format with a leading plus, for example +1 415 555 0100. The country code makes the code work for scanners abroad.

  2. Write the pre-filled message

    Add the text that should appear in the message field, such as a keyword like JOIN or a reference code. The scanner can edit it before sending.

  3. Customize the code

    Adjust size, colors, and error correction to suit where the code will appear. Keep the message short so the code stays easy to scan.

  4. Download the PNG

    Click Download PNG and place the code on your flyer, sticker, or sign. Scanning opens the messaging app with everything filled in.

Frequently asked questions

Does scanning an SMS QR code send the message automatically?

No. Scanning opens the messaging app with the number and text pre-filled, but the person always has to tap send themselves. Nothing is sent without their action.

Do SMS QR codes work on iPhone and Android?

Yes. The SMSTO format used by this tool is recognized by the built-in camera apps on both iOS and Android, which open the default messaging app with the fields filled in.

Why does the phone number need a country code?

Without a country code, a phone abroad or on certain carriers may misroute the message. The international format with a leading plus, like +14155550100, works for everyone.

Can the person edit the message before sending?

Yes. The pre-filled text is just a starting draft in their messaging app, so they can change it, add to it, or delete it entirely before sending.

Is there a length limit for the pre-filled message?

There is no hard limit in the tool, but longer messages produce denser QR codes that are harder to scan, and texts beyond 160 characters may be split by the carrier. Short keywords work best.

Will I be charged when someone texts the number?

The scanner pays their normal SMS rate, and you receive the message like any other text. Standard messaging rates apply on both sides unless you use a toll-free or short-code service.

Pair SMS codes with trackable short links.

Use ReSlug short links inside your QR codes to see which campaigns drive the most scans.

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