A mailto QR code opens a pre-filled email compose window when scanned — the recipient's address already filled in, sometimes with a subject line too. One scan, zero typing.
It's useful for business cards, event badges, printed handouts, and anywhere you want someone to reach you without making them type your email address manually.
Here's how to create one in under a minute, free.
What is a mailto QR code?
When a QR code encodes a mailto: URI, scanning it opens the device's default email app with the To field pre-filled. You can also encode a subject line, so the email arrives pre-labelled.
The URI format looks like this:
mailto:yourname@example.com?subject=Hello%20from%20your%20card
Most QR scanners on modern Android and iOS devices recognize mailto: URIs natively — no special app required.
How to create an email QR code
Go to the QR Code Generator at Ultimate Tools.
Select the Email content type from the tab bar.
Fill in:
- Email address — the address you want people to email
- Subject (optional) — pre-fills the subject line for the sender
- Body (optional) — pre-fills the message body (useful for support tickets or templated requests)
Choose your style — dot shape, corner style, colors, whether to add a logo. Click Generate QR Code.
Download as PNG or SVG. Done.
When to use an email QR code
Business cards — instead of printing your email in tiny text people have to type, a QR code in the corner lets them tap and email you instantly.
Conference badges — event attendees can scan your badge to follow up rather than exchanging cards at all.
Printed flyers — "Questions? Scan to email us" is more frictionless than "email us at this address."
Product packaging — link to a support address with a pre-filled subject line like "Product Inquiry" so support tickets arrive pre-sorted.
Out-of-office signs — a QR on a physical notice that opens an email to whoever is covering.
Add a subject line to reduce friction
The most useful thing you can add beyond the email address is a subject line.
Without it, emails arrive in your inbox with blank or random subjects, which is harder to filter and prioritize.
With ?subject=Business%20Card%20Inquiry, every email from the QR code arrives pre-tagged. You can filter them into a folder automatically.
Dynamic vs static email QR codes
A static email QR code encodes the mailto URI directly. It can never be changed — if you want a different address or subject, you generate a new code and reprint.
A dynamic QR code stores a short URL that redirects. You can update the destination (including changing which email address it opens) without reprinting the physical code.
For business cards and printed materials with a long lifespan, the Dynamic QR Code Generator lets you update the mailto destination if your email address changes — without replacing every printed card.
Try it
Create your email QR code at Ultimate Tools — free, no signup, download as PNG or SVG.
Related QR code types:
- WhatsApp QR Code — open a WhatsApp chat directly
- Wi-Fi QR Code — share network credentials without typing
- vCard QR Code — save a full contact card to someone's phone
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