In this article
A tuition teacher, a tiffin service, a landlord, a student running a college fest stall, a small shop with no card machine: all of them want the same thing. A square that a customer scans, and the money lands straight in the account. You do not need an app subscription or a payment gateway for the simple case. You need your UPI ID, your name, and a QR code that carries them.
What is actually inside a UPI QR code
Scan any QR with a plain text reader and you will see something like this:
| Part | Meaning | Needed? |
|---|---|---|
pa | Payee address, your UPI ID such as name@bank | Yes |
pn | Payee name shown to the payer | Yes |
cu | Currency, always INR | Yes (added for you) |
am | Amount in rupees, written with two decimals | Optional |
tn | A note that appears with the payment, like “Rent Nov” | Optional |
These are the five parts the generator writes. Larger business systems add more (a merchant code, a transaction reference), but for everyday personal and small shop use these are enough.
That is why a QR for one person looks nothing like a QR for another, and why changing a single letter of your UPI ID gives a completely different pattern. It is also why the code is not secret: anyone who scans it, or reads it with a QR reader, can see your UPI ID and name.
Make one in four steps
- 1Type your UPI IDCopy it from your UPI app’s profile or QR section, for example name@okaxis. A typing mistake will send money to someone else or fail.
- 2Add your nameUse the name your bank has on the account. Customers see this and trust it.
- 3Decide on an amountLeave it empty for a counter QR. Enter a rupee amount for a fixed bill. Add a note if you like.
- 4Download and testSave the PNG, pay ₹1 from another UPI account, and confirm the name and amount on the screen.
All of this happens in your browser. Your UPI ID is not sent to any server to build the code.
Which kind of QR to make
For several different bill amounts in a month, one open-amount QR plus a clear invoice is usually easier than printing a code every time.
How apps treat a pre-filled amount can differ. Many show the amount as fixed, and some let the payer change it. Do not assume. Pay once yourself from the app your customers use, and see what the screen allows.
Size and printing: will it scan from a counter?
A QR that is too small or too crowded is the most common reason a scan fails. A good rule of thumb is that a phone can scan a code from about ten times its width. A 5 cm code works at about 50 cm, which is arm’s length. A code on a wall behind a counter needs to be much bigger.
A rule of thumb, not a guarantee. Lighting, camera quality and print quality all change it.
- Choose the Large (600 px) size for print. It keeps edges sharp when enlarged.
- Keep a clear white border around the code. Do not crop it tight or put text across it.
- Print in dark on light. Do not invert colours or print on a glossy coloured card that reflects light.
- Laminate it or put it in a sleeve so it does not smudge, and so a fake sticker cannot be pasted over it without being noticed.
Test it before you trust it
- Open a different UPI app from the one you used to create the ID, if you can, or ask a friend to scan.
- Scan the printed code, not the screen version, to check the print is readable.
- Look at the payee name on the payment screen. It must be yours.
- Send ₹1 and confirm it arrives in your account and shows the note you set.
- Scan once more with an older phone. Cameras differ.
The scams to know about
- You scan a shop’s QR to pay them
- Your UPI PIN is for sending money
- The payee name is shown before you pay
- A buyer on a marketplace sends a QR to “give you your money”
- Scanning it only opens a payment screen that takes money out
- You never need a QR or a PIN to receive
If any person asks you to enter your UPI PIN, or to scan a code so that they can pay you, stop. Receiving money never needs your PIN.
- Fake stickers. Fraudsters sometimes paste their own QR over a shop’s code. Shop owners should look at their stand daily. Customers should check the name shown before they pay.
- Collect requests. A request that says “approve to receive” is a request to pay. Decline it.
- Cheap look-alike tools. Make your QR with a tool that works in your browser and does not ask you to log in or upload your details.
When a personal QR is not enough
A QR with your own UPI ID works well for small, occasional payments. If you take many payments a day, you may want things this generator does not do: payment notifications through a speaker, settlement reports, reconciliation with a bill number, GST-ready records. Your bank or UPI app’s business or merchant account gives you those. Daily limits are also set by your bank and the app, so check them if you expect large amounts.
For related jobs, the QR code guide explains how any QR is built. The WhatsApp link guide pairs well with it, so a customer can message you before paying. Landlords can combine a fixed-amount QR with a rent receipt. If you bill with tax, work out the total first with the GST calculator guide, and write the amount in words using the numbers in words guide.
Questions people ask
How do I create a UPI QR code for free?
Enter your UPI ID and name in a browser tool, optionally add an amount and a note, and download the PNG. Test it with a small payment before printing.
UPI QR code kaise banaye?
Apna UPI ID (jaise name@bank) aur naam daalein, chahein to amount aur note bhi, phir QR download karein. Print karne se pehle ₹1 bhej kar test zaroor karein aur dekhein ki scan karne par aapka sahi naam dikh raha hai.
Can I put a fixed amount in a UPI QR code?
Yes. If you enter an amount, the payment screen opens with it pre-filled. Whether the payer can change it depends on their UPI app, so test it with the app your customers use.
Is it safe to share my UPI QR code?
The code carries your UPI ID and name in plain text, which is the same information you give when someone pays you. It cannot take money out of your account. Never share your UPI PIN, and never scan a code someone sends you to “receive” money.
Do I need a merchant account to make a UPI QR?
No. A QR built from your own UPI ID works for personal and small payments. A merchant account adds notifications, reports and business features that this simple QR does not have.
What size should I print a UPI QR code?
As a rule of thumb, a phone scans from about ten times the code’s width, so a 5 cm code works at around 50 cm. Use the large size, keep a white border and print dark on light.
Why does the name on the screen differ from what I typed?
The payment screen usually shows the name registered with the bank for that UPI ID. If it is different from what you expect, check the ID for a typing error before you print anything.
Does the QR expire?
A QR made from your UPI ID and a fixed amount does not expire. It stays valid as long as the UPI ID is active. If you change your UPI ID or bank handle, make a new code.