Why does a password with a semicolon or comma need special handling?

The Wi-Fi QR format packs the network name, security type and password into one string separated by semicolons and colons. A password containing one of those characters unescaped would end its field early, so the phone would try to connect with a truncated password — which looks like a QR code problem but is actually a string-building one. This tool escapes the special characters and then re-parses the result to confirm every field came through exactly as typed.

Is it safe to put my Wi-Fi password in a printed QR code?

Anyone who can photograph the code can join the network, the same as anyone who can read a password written on a wall. It's fine for a guest network or somewhere you already trust visitors with access; for anything more sensitive, share the password a different way or use a guest network with its own separate password.

Wi-Fi QR Code Generator

A Wi-Fi QR code is a short string in a particular shape, and it fails in one particular way: a semicolon in the password ends the field early, so the phone tries to join with half a password. The string still looks perfectly fine, which is why it is worth checking rather than eyeballing. The password here is escaped and then read back to confirm it survived, character for character.

Network name

Exactly as it appears, capitals and all.

Security

Password

Semicolons, commas and quotes are all handled.

Error correction

This network does not broadcast its name

Your code will appear here.

What this generator does

Builds the Wi-Fi string in the shape phones expect, escaping the characters that would otherwise end a field early, and draws it as a QR code with the text shown underneath.

How to use this tool

Enter the network name exactly as it appears, capitals and all.
Choose the security type and enter the password.
Tick the box if the network does not broadcast its name.
Draw the code and print it where guests will see it.

Understanding the controls

Network name: The name exactly as broadcast. Capitals matter, and so do spaces.
Security: WPA or WPA2 for almost every modern network, WEP for very old ones, or open for a network with no password.
Password: Semicolons, commas, colons, quotes and backslashes are all escaped, so a password containing them still works.
Hidden network: Tick this if the network does not broadcast its name, or the phone will not find it after scanning.

Worked examples

A password containing a semicolon: A password like "guest;2024!" is escaped to "guest\;2024!" inside the built string, then read back to confirm the semicolon survives as part of the password rather than ending the field.

Common use cases

A guest network code for a cafe, a holiday let or a waiting room
Saving visitors from typing a long password on a phone keyboard
A code by the door for tradespeople and cleaners
Sharing your home network without reading the password aloud
A code for a network whose password contains awkward punctuation

How this generator works

The string is built with its escaping and then parsed back, and every field must match what went in exactly. That is the only check that catches an escaping mistake, because an escaping mistake always produces a perfectly well-formed string. The QR code itself is then read back off its own modules, the way a scanner reads it.

Randomness and fairness

Nothing is random. The same network details always draw the same code.

For how randomness is produced across the whole site, see how Generate Random works.

Limitations and good to know

It puts your network password into a printed code. Anybody who can photograph the code can join the network.
Android and iOS both read this format, but a few older phones do not.
Enterprise networks that need a username as well as a password are a different format and are not covered.
The code is black and white with no logo, since a logo eats into the error correction.

Privacy and your data

The code is built entirely in your browser. Your network name and password are never transmitted or stored.

Frequently asked questions

Why does a password with a semicolon or comma need special handling?: The Wi-Fi QR format packs the network name, security type and password into one string separated by semicolons and colons. A password containing one of those characters unescaped would end its field early, so the phone would try to connect with a truncated password — which looks like a QR code problem but is actually a string-building one. This tool escapes the special characters and then re-parses the result to confirm every field came through exactly as typed.
Is it safe to put my Wi-Fi password in a printed QR code?: Anyone who can photograph the code can join the network, the same as anyone who can read a password written on a wall. It's fine for a guest network or somewhere you already trust visitors with access; for anything more sensitive, share the password a different way or use a guest network with its own separate password.