How to Share Contact Info via QR Code (vCard)

What Is vCard

vCard (Virtual Card) is a standardized electronic contact data format (.vcf file). It can contain name, title, company, multiple phone numbers, email addresses, website, postal address, and more. iOS and Android address book apps natively support vCard import. Encoding vCard data into a QR code enables "scan to add contact" functionality.

vCard Format Example

BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:3.0
FN:Zhang Wei
N:Zhang;Wei;;;
ORG:YiteAI
TITLE:Product Manager
TEL;TYPE=CELL:+86 138 0000 0000
EMAIL:[email protected]
URL:https://example.com
END:VCARD

This text can be encoded directly as a QR code. When a device scans it, the system recognizes the vCard format and prompts the user to save as a contact. Using a generator's vCard type option, just fill in a form and the tool automatically generates standards-compliant format.

What Information vCard Can Include

• Name (full name, first name, last name, prefix and suffix)
• Job title and company name
• Multiple phone numbers (mobile, office, fax)
• Email addresses (multiple supported)
• Website URL
• Postal address
• Birthday
• Notes
• Profile photo (Base64 embedded, but dramatically increases code complexity)

More Information Means a More Complex Code

The more information a vCard contains, the longer the encoded text, and the higher the QR code version and denser the pattern. For vCard codes printed on business cards, include only the most essential contact info: full name, company, phone, and email. Embedding a profile photo will almost certainly make the code too complex to scan reliably at business card size.

iOS and Android Compatibility

Modern iOS (11+) and Android (9+) devices natively support scanning vCard QR codes and prompting to save contacts, with no third-party app required. Test on both platforms when verifying. If information contains Chinese characters, ensure the generator uses UTF-8 encoding; otherwise Chinese may display as garbled text.

vCard vs. URL: Which to Choose

Each approach has advantages: a vCard code directly embeds contact info, allowing the recipient to save the contact without internet and without depending on any server. A URL code links to an online contact page that can be updated anytime without reprinting, but requires internet access. If your contact details are stable long-term, vCard is the simplest and most reliable choice; if you expect frequent changes, linking to an online profile is more flexible.

Display Recommendations on Business Cards

The best placement for a vCard QR code is on the back of the business card, at a size of 20–25 mm × 20–25 mm, with a short label like "Scan to save contact." Adding a phone scan icon increases intuitiveness. If card space allows, placing a small portrait photo next to the code helps viewers immediately identify whose card it is.