February 9, 2025 · 12 mins read
Santosh Kumar
QR codes have become part of our lives recently, but they were invented quite some time ago. The truth is that they were invented in 1994 by a Japanese company called Denso Wave. Since then, QR codes have evolved and gained more popularity; as you are aware, they are not only methods of tracking inventory or sales today because, believe it or not, there are QR codes for everything!
This said, according to a report by RBI, NPCI, and HSIE, UPI payments made through QR code generation accounted for a whopping 28% of the digital payments in India in 2021 so far, beating both credit and debit cards by at least 10% each. Let's dig deeper to understand how to generate a QR code for UPI payment.
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A QR code or Quick Response code is a type of barcode that can be read with the help of a digital device and which stores information as a series of pixels in a square-shaped grid. Unlike the pandemic-era masks, the QR codes that surfaced ubiquitously during that period are almost sure to stay. QR codes bridge the physical and digital worlds. For example, people can go through menus and posters for information with their cellphones or off websites.
But QR codes are used to do more than tell you what appetizers are on special at your local restaurant. Inventory managers hope they gain wider use to track product information in the supply chain, not just in marketing and advertising campaigns. QR codes are considered an advance over the older, unidimensional barcodes and were approved as an international standard in 2000 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
It becomes much faster as compared to having to manually punch in the required payment details, which makes the payment quick and hassle-free
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When you generate a QR code, no cash or card is involved, so social distancing can be maintained well.
There is a free inbuilt option for scanning within most smartphones today.
The UPI platform protects users' information by securing UPI's transactions.
It makes it easy for small businesses and street vendors to accept digital payments without complex infrastructure.
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Before learning how to generate QR codes for UPI Payments, it is important to understand who can use them. Whether you are a business owner, freelancer, service provider, or even an individual managing personal transactions, UPI QR codes offer multiple benefits. Now, let us dive into different groups of users who can take advantage of using UPI QR codes and how they can benefit from this digital payment system.
One of the biggest recipients of UPI QR codes is small and large businesses. From roadside small-time shop owners to giant retail stores, UPI QR codes make accepting digital payments very easy.
Grocery shops, vegetable vendors, tea stalls, etc., can easily accept static QR code payments by linking a UPI ID with the same. This eliminates the need to physically handle money and change and instantly pays by scanning the QR code. The QR code maintains a digital record of the transaction, ensuring good financial tracking and tax compliance.
Business houses and branded outlets can employ dynamic QR codes that auto-fill the payment amount during checkout, thus speeding up and eliminating errors at checkout. They can link to the POS system of any retail or shopping mall. To attract more customers, offers and cashback can be offered for UPI payments.
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Customers can scan the QR code at the table or counter to pay their bills directly. Hotels can accept room payments, bookings, and other services without requiring card payments. QR codes at self-service kiosks can speed up order processing and reduce wait times.
Easy mode. Freelancers and other independent professionals, such as graphic designers, content writers, photographers, and consultants, can receive payments easily through the UPI QR code.
1: They no longer need to share long bank account details. Instead, they could generate their UPI QR code and share it with clients.
2: All transactions are recorded digitally, making it easier to track payments.
3: UPI payments occur in real-time, reducing the waiting period to receive funds.
Examples of Freelancers Who Can Use UPI QR Codes:
4: Writers & Content Creators: To receive payments for articles, blogs, and social media content.
5: Graphic Designers & Photographers: For one-time or milestone-based payments.
6: Consultants & Coaches: Life coaches, fitness trainers, and business consultants can use QR codes to collect payments quickly.
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UPI QR codes are not just for merchants. People also use them to send and receive money. A person does not need to provide the UPI ID multiple times but can give the QR code when needed. Following are the use cases for individuals:
1: To share a meal bill, a group of friends can scan it and pay according to their contribution to the food bill.
2: Receiving Money: If a person wants to send money to someone, he/she can give the sender his/her QR code so that he/she doesn't have to type out a UPI ID.
3: Borrowing or Lending Money: Now, transfer funds without typos in UPI IDs.
4: House Rent & Utilities: The tenant can now pay rent to the landlord through a UPI QR code.
UPI QR codes allow Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), welfare trusts, and religious institutions to accept donations.
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Schools, colleges, and private coaching centers can make fee collection much easier with UPI QR codes. Students or parents can scan a QR code to pay tuition fees. Institutions can use dynamic QR codes for different payment amounts, such as exam fees, transport fees, or event registrations. Online education platforms can integrate UPI QR codes for course payments.
Small-scale online sellers, such as those selling products on Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook Marketplace, can use UPI QR codes as a convenient payment method.
UPI QR codes can be utilized by transport service providers like auto-rickshaw drivers, taxi drivers, and delivery personnel for easy fare collection.
Today, two types of QR codes are used to make contactless payments.
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Once created, these codes are permanent. This implies that the data they contain can never be edited or changed in any way—and this is what makes static codes so perfect for employee IDs, product documentation, personal use, etc. As far as payment is concerned, static QR codes can be used to receive various payments from various customers, and they do not expire.
As the name suggests, information in these codes can be amended at will. Whether you wish to correct errors, add new information, update details, or otherwise modify the information, these codes allow you to do that. They find extensive use in marketing campaigns. For payments, dynamic QR codes are generated for a specific amount for a particular customer and then expire after that particular transaction is done.
Nearly all the UPI payment apps provide the option to generate a QR code to collect money. Here's how to develop a QR code for UPI payment using these apps:
1: Open Google Pay.
2: Tap on the profile picture top-right corner.
3: Scroll down and click on the QR Counder, then "Receive Money section".
4: Your personalized QR code will be reflected. Share it or take its print; use it as desired.
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1: Launch PhonePe and enter.
2: Click the icon on the top-left of the home page saying, receive money
3: Scan your generated QR code linking your UPI ID.
4: It's your time to save this code or to share it to people
1: Open your Paytm App.
2: Visit accept payment.
3: Tapping to show QR code or downloading the QR code is enabled
1: Opening the BHIM application.
2: Go to the My QR section.
3: Download or share the QR code associated with your UPI ID.
These apps enable the creation of quick and hassle-free UPI QR codes for personal as well as business purposes.
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Most banks and financial institutions generate QR codes for their customers. You can download your bank's official mobile banking app and use a QR code generated by the bank.
Steps to Generate UPI QR Code through a Bank Portal
1: Go to the online banking portal of your bank and log in, or open its mobile banking application.
2: Click on the UPI Services section.
3: Click on Generate QR Code or UPI QR Code Generator.
4: Enter your UPI ID or account details.
5: Fix an amount, if required.
6: Download the QR code for printing or sharing.
Some popular banks offering this service are as follows:
7: State Bank of India (SBI YONO app)
8: HDFC Bank
9: ICICI Bank (iMobile Pay app)
10: Axis Bank
For merchants, banks may offer Bharat QR-enabled UPI QR codes that allow multiple UPI apps and card payments.
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If you are a business owner who desires advanced QR code solutions, the above-mentioned payment solutions for businesses, such as Paytm Business, Razorpay, and Instamojo, enable the generation and management of QR codes with enhanced features like analytics and invoice integration.
1: Sign up for the Paytm Business Account from the Paytm Business Portal.
2: Go to the Payment Tools section and click on QR Code Generator.
3: Key in your Merchant UPI ID or bank details
4: Display the downloaded QR code at your shop.
1: Register as a merchant on Razorpay.
2: Go to the Payment Links section and choose the option QR Code Payment
3: Add payment amount necessary
4: Generate and download the QR code for receiving payments from a customer.
These solutions are most appropriate for large transactional volume businesses.
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The following practices can be followed to ensure a secure QR code once you have the answer for how to generate a QR code for UPI payments:
1. Use QR codes in a targeted way to reach a specific audience
2. Dynamic QR code can be If you want to edit, track, and monitor your QR code
3. Make sure your QR code sends your viewer to a mobile-friendly destination
4. Consider customizing your QR code using your court logo. Most generators have an option to upload your logo image
5. Always use contrasting colours for QR codes, with a darker colour for the foreground and a lighter colour for the background. Using light colours for the code can cause difficulty when scanning
6. Avoid any alterations to the shape of your QR code, and always use high-quality images.
7. Reflect on your QR code's setting, material, and positioning. A QR code should be accessible and reachable to your audience.
8. Use an online QR code generator to create a QR code. Your code should not expire, especially if you select a free site.
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How to generate a QR code for UPI UPI payments is not a very difficult task and can easily be generated through various apps of UPI, online QR generators, bank portals, and even business payment solutions. Be it an individual who needs an easy way to receive payments or a business person trying to streamline transactions, the process of enhancing convenience with security and efficiency is directly met through a UPI QR code. Follow the right method and best practices, and make digital payments error-free and seamless.
How to create a UPI QR code?
1: Enter the UPI ID and amount (if needed)
2: Add more payment details like payee name, notes, etc, in the UPI QR generator tool
3: Select one of the following valid colour codes to get the QR with a specific colour
4: Click the "Generate" button to download the UPI QR code
Can I set a fixed amount in the UPI QR code?
Yes, you can definitely set a fixed amount in INR or any other currency as the app allows while generating the UPI QR code.
Is the UPI QR code safe to use?
Yes, UPI QR codes are very safe to use. They contain only the payment details you provide, such as your UPI ID and the transaction amount. Scanning the QR code initiates a secure payment through the UPI system. You just have to be vigilant about scammers and malware.
Can I track the payments made using the UPI QR code?
Yes, you can track the UPI payments done using a UPI QR code through your UPI-enabled app or bank statement.
Can a UPI QR code expire?
A QR code itself does not expire unless it is a dynamic QR code and the owner has set the destination link to expire. A static QR code will work if the data it encodes is valid and readable. However, if it's linked to a webpage and is taken down, scanning the QR will lead to a dead link.
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