Overview
An Email QR code creates a quick way for people to send you an email. When scanned, it opens the user's default email application with the recipient address already filled in. You can also pre-populate the subject line and body text, making it even easier for the person scanning to reach out.
This QR code type uses the standard mailto: protocol, which is supported by virtually every smartphone and email client. No special apps are required -- it works right out of the box on both iOS and Android devices.
How to Create an Email QR Code
Follow these steps to create your email QR code:
- Start a new QR code -- From your QR Dex dashboard, click the Create a QR Code button.
- Select the Email type -- Choose "Email" from the list of available QR code types.
- Enter the recipient email address -- Type the email address where you want messages to be sent. Double-check the address for typos, as this cannot be changed after the code is created if you use a static code.
- Add a subject line -- Pre-fill the subject line to provide context and make it easier for the sender. For example, "Inquiry from Trade Show Booth" or "Feedback Request."
- Add body text (optional) -- Pre-fill the email body with a template message. The person scanning can still edit the text before sending, but a pre-filled message reduces friction and guides the conversation.
- Customize the design -- Adjust colors, shapes, and optionally add a logo to match your branding.
- Save and download -- Give your QR code a name, click Save QR Code, and download it in your preferred format.
Use Cases for Email QR Codes
- Business cards -- Add an email QR code to your business card so new contacts can email you instantly without typing your address manually.
- Customer feedback -- Place an email QR code at the point of sale or on receipts, pre-filled with a subject like "Customer Feedback" to make it effortless for customers to share their thoughts.
- Event networking -- Print email QR codes on name badges or booth signage at conferences and trade shows so attendees can reach out after the event.
- Product support -- Include an email QR code on product packaging or instruction manuals so customers can quickly contact your support team.
- Job applications -- Post a QR code on hiring signage with a pre-filled subject line like "Job Application -- [Position Name]" to streamline inbound applications.
Best Practices
- Keep the subject line concise -- A short, descriptive subject helps you sort and manage incoming emails. It also helps the sender understand the purpose of the message.
- Use a monitored email address -- Make sure the recipient address is actively monitored so that responses are timely. Consider using a shared inbox or alias like
hello@ or support@ for team visibility.
- Pre-fill the body thoughtfully -- Provide a helpful starting template, but keep it brief. For example: "Hi, I scanned your QR code at [event/location] and would like to learn more about..." This gives the sender a starting point while still allowing personalization.
- Test across email clients -- Scan your QR code and verify that the email opens correctly in popular email apps like Gmail, Apple Mail, and Outlook.
- Consider a dynamic code -- While the mailto data itself is encoded directly, wrapping it in a dynamic QR code lets you track how many people are scanning it, which is valuable for measuring engagement.
How It Works Technically
Email QR codes encode a mailto: URI that the device's operating system recognizes. When scanned, the phone opens its default email application and populates the fields you configured. The format follows the standard mailto: specification, ensuring broad compatibility across devices and platforms.
Because the entire email payload is encoded in the QR code pattern, the user does not need an internet connection to open the email compose window. However, they will need connectivity to actually send the email once they are ready.