Email QR Code Generator
Create a QR code that opens an email with pre-filled recipient, subject, and body. Perfect for contact pages and print materials.
Why Use an Email QR Code?
Email QR codes remove friction from the communication process. Instead of asking people to manually type your email address, remember the subject line, or compose a message from scratch, you can encode everything into a QR code that opens their email app with all fields pre-filled.
When scanned, the QR code triggers the device's default email application with the recipient, subject, CC, and body text already populated. The user simply reviews and hits send. This dramatically increases response rates for printed materials, signage, and promotional content.
How Does an Email QR Code Work?
Email QR codes use the standard mailto: URI scheme, which is supported by all major email clients including Gmail, Apple Mail, Outlook, and Thunderbird. When a smartphone camera scans the QR code, the operating system recognizes the mailto link and opens the user's preferred email app with all the pre-filled information.
The format supports up to four fields: the primary recipient address, CC recipients, the email subject line, and the body text. You can include long body text, but keep in mind that shorter QR codes are easier to scan reliably at smaller sizes.
Use Cases for Email QR Codes
- Customer Support: Place an email QR code on product packaging that opens a support email with the product name and issue category pre-filled.
- Event Registration: Include a QR code on event flyers that opens a pre-composed registration email.
- Business Cards: Add an email QR code to your physical business card so contacts can email you with one scan.
- Restaurant Menus: Let customers scan a QR code to send feedback or place catering orders via email.
- Real Estate Signs: Let prospective buyers email the agent with the property address automatically included in the subject.
Privacy and Security
Just like all our QR code generators, your email information never leaves your browser. The QR code generation is performed entirely client-side using JavaScript. We never see, store, or transmit your email address or any other data you enter.
Best Practices for Email QR Codes
- Always include a descriptive subject line so recipients know what the email is about before sending.
- Keep the body text concise but informative — provide enough context for the recipient to understand why they're emailing.
- Test the QR code with multiple email apps to ensure compatibility (Gmail, Apple Mail, Outlook).
- If printing, make sure the QR code is large enough to scan easily — at least 2-3 cm for close-range scanning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this work with Gmail?
Yes. When scanned on a smartphone, the mailto link will open the default email app. If Gmail is set as the default, it will open Gmail with all fields pre-filled.
Can I include attachments in the QR code?
No, the mailto protocol does not support attachments. The QR code can only pre-fill the recipient, CC, subject, and body fields.
Is there a character limit for the email body?
No, the mailto protocol does not support attachments. The QR code can only pre-fill the recipient, CC, subject, and body fields.