How to make a phone number QR code that starts a call

What a phone QR code does

A phone QR code holds a telephone number. When someone scans it, the phone offers to call that number, so the caller never has to type it. It suits delivery and taxi stickers, "call us" signs on shop doors, lost-and-found tags, vehicle and property boards and emergency contact labels.

Create it in QRinst

Open the QRinst generator and choose Phone under the More tab.
Enter the number in international format.
Download the code and scan it to check the dialler opens with the right number.

Use the international format

Start with the plus sign and the country code, then the number with no spaces, dashes or brackets: for example +14155550123 or +919876543210. A local number such as 09876 543210 may dial correctly from your own phone and fail for anyone in another country or on a roaming SIM. Drop any leading zero that is only used for national dialling.

Call code or contact card?

A phone code places one call. If you want people to keep your details, use a contact card instead: it saves your name, number, email and company to their address book. See how to put a vCard QR code on a business card. For messaging rather than voice, a WhatsApp code or an SMS code may fit better.

Privacy and print tips

A printed number is public to everyone who sees the sign, and a QR code makes it easier to copy, so use a business or dedicated line instead of your personal mobile for anything displayed outdoors or on packaging.

Label the code ("Scan to call us"), keep the quiet zone around it, and size it for the scanning distance using the print size guide. Test the printed code on both an iPhone and an Android phone.

Good places for a call code

Vehicles, vans and delivery bikes, so people can reach the owner quickly.
Property, parking and for-rent boards where the caller needs a person right away.
Lost-and-found tags on keys, bags, pet collars and luggage.
Shop doors and windows showing a number for out-of-hours or urgent enquiries.
Tables and counters for calling a waiter, service desk or support line.

Common problems and fixes

The wrong number appears. Check for typos and a missing country code, and re-scan the finished code against the number you intended.
The phone asks to open something else. Some scanner apps show the raw number and ask which app to use. That is normal, and the call app is one tap away.
Tablets and computers cannot call. Devices without a phone app may open nothing, so print the number in plain text next to the code too.
The line is busy or not answered. A code that rings a dead number looks worse than no code. Make sure someone is available, or use a number with voicemail.