Technical Specifications
- Standard
- ISO/IEC 18004 QR Code Model 2
- Protocol
- Official WhatsApp Web & App Intent (https://wa.me/{phone}?text={message})
- Phone Format
- E.164 International Format (Country Code + Phone Number, digits only)
- Message Encoding
- RFC 3986 URI component encoding with automated line break normalization
- Error Correction
- Level M (15% recovery) or Level H (30% recovery with custom WhatsApp logo)
Standard Industry Use Cases
- Customer support kiosks and service desks for instant messaging
- Restaurant and café table menus for WhatsApp order placement
- Real estate "For Sale" yard signs and flyers for quick agent inquiries
- Ecommerce delivery packaging inserts for direct customer care
Key Benefits of WhatsApp QR
Instant Chat Without Saving Number
Customers connect immediately via wa.me protocol without needing to create a phone contact first.
Pre-Filled Inquiries & Order Messages
Pre-populate introductory text so customers can send product inquiries or reservations in one tap.
Privacy-Safe Direct Communication
No server logs or phone data collection. Compiled 100% locally in your browser memory.
What Code Do I Need for My Product? (Customer Decision Guide)
Choosing the right barcode format depends on where your product is sold, the packaging substrate, and scanner infrastructure:
Can I use this for personal and WhatsApp Business accounts?
Yes. The standard wa.me protocol operates universally across personal WhatsApp, WhatsApp Business, and WhatsApp Web on both Android and iOS devices.
How should international phone numbers be formatted?
Include the country code followed by the full mobile number with digits only (e.g. 15550192834 for US or 447911123456 for UK). Do not include plus signs, spaces, or brackets.
WhatsApp Business Policy & Messaging Guidelines
- Ensure your customer outreach complies with WhatsApp Business Messaging Policies and applicable telecommunications regulations.
- Do not send unsolicited bulk promotional messages to users who scan your code without explicit opt-in consent.
- WhatsApp and its logos are registered trademarks of Meta Platforms, Inc.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a customer start a WhatsApp chat from scanning a QR code?
When a smartphone camera scans the QR code, it detects the wa.me protocol and prompts the user to open WhatsApp directly with your number in the chat window, ready to send your pre-filled inquiry.
Do customers need to save my phone number in their contacts first?
No. The wa.me intent opens a conversation immediately without requiring the user to add your contact details to their address book first.
Can I include a pre-filled greeting or order template?
Yes. Enter your custom text (e.g. "Hi, I would like to inquire about...") in our wizard and it will be pre-populated in the user's chat input box when they scan.