Generate a QR Code for a vCard Contact
Create a QR code containing vCard contact information that adds a new contact when scanned. Covers vCard 3.0 format, supported fields, photo embedding, and compatibility across iOS and Android.
Detailed Explanation
QR Codes for vCard Contacts
A vCard QR code encodes contact information in the vCard format (also known as VCF). When scanned, the device prompts the user to save the contact directly to their address book.
vCard 3.0 Format
The most widely supported version is vCard 3.0. Here is a typical vCard structure:
BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:3.0
N:Doe;John;;;
FN:John Doe
ORG:Acme Corporation
TITLE:Software Engineer
TEL;TYPE=WORK,VOICE:+1-555-123-4567
TEL;TYPE=CELL:+1-555-987-6543
EMAIL:john.doe@acme.com
URL:https://johndoe.dev
ADR;TYPE=WORK:;;123 Main St;Springfield;IL;62704;US
NOTE:Met at DevConf 2025
END:VCARD
Supported Fields
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
N |
Structured name (last;first;middle;prefix;suffix) | N:Doe;John;;; |
FN |
Full display name | FN:John Doe |
ORG |
Organization | ORG:Acme Corp |
TITLE |
Job title | TITLE:CTO |
TEL |
Phone number with type | TEL;TYPE=CELL:+1555... |
EMAIL |
Email address | EMAIL:name@example.com |
URL |
Website | URL:https://... |
ADR |
Address | ADR;TYPE=WORK:;;... |
NOTE |
Free-text note | NOTE:Key contact |
Data Size Considerations
vCards can grow large quickly, especially with multiple phone numbers, addresses, and notes. Keep the total vCard size under 500 characters for reliable scanning. Remove optional fields that are not essential.
Photo Embedding
While vCard supports embedded photos via Base64-encoded PHOTO fields, this dramatically increases the QR code size and is generally not practical for QR codes. Instead, include a URL to the contact's photo.
Platform Compatibility
- iOS — Native camera app recognizes vCard QR codes and opens the Contacts app with a pre-filled form.
- Android — Most camera apps and QR scanners support vCard import. Some older devices may require a third-party scanner.
- Desktop — Scanning apps typically save the vCard as a .vcf file that can be imported into email clients.
Use Case
vCard QR codes are used on business cards, conference badges, email signatures (as a printable code), reception desk displays, and networking events. They eliminate manual contact entry and ensure accuracy — no misspelled names or transposed phone digits.