You’ve seen them at every tea stall and kirana store: a printed QR code taped near the counter that customers scan to pay. It’s the simplest way to accept UPI payments — no card machine, no fees for you, and the money lands straight in your account. Here’s how a UPI QR works and how to make your own.
What a UPI QR code actually contains
A UPI QR code is just your UPI ID (also called a VPA — Virtual Payment Address, like yourname@bank) encoded as a scannable image. When a customer scans it, their payment app reads your UPI ID and opens the payment screen, already addressed to you. They enter the amount, approve with their PIN, and it’s done.
You can also encode a fixed amount in the QR. Then the customer doesn’t type anything — scanning opens a payment for that exact sum, which is perfect for a fixed-price product or a specific bill.
Make yours in a minute
- Find your UPI ID in your payment app (PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, or your bank app). It looks like name@okhdfcbank.
- Enter it in the QR maker, along with your name.
- Add an amount if you want a fixed-price QR — or leave it blank for a reusable one.
- Generate the QR and download it as an image.
- Print it and place it where customers can easily scan.
QRwala — QR Code MakerCreate UPI, Wi-Fi and link QR codes. Scan too. Free.
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Using it safely
- Remember: a QR is for receiving, not sending. To get paid, a customer only scans your code — you never scan or enter a PIN to receive money. If anyone asks you to scan a QR or enter your PIN “to receive” a payment, it’s a scam.
- Double-check the name that appears when you test-scan your own QR before printing it.
- Confirm the “payment received” message in your app before handing over goods — don’t rely on the customer’s screen alone.
- Print clearly and laminate the code so it scans reliably and lasts.
Other handy QR uses
The same tool makes QR codes for more than payments — a Wi-Fi QR so guests connect without typing a password, or a link QR pointing to your catalogue, Google review page or WhatsApp. Pair a UPI QR with a printed invoice and customers can pay you on the spot.
Related guides: Make a free GST invoice · Track udhaar digitally