vCard or MeCard — which should you use?
Both formats save a contact. The difference is size, and size decides how easy the code is to scan.
| vCard | MeCard | |
|---|---|---|
| Fields | Extensive — title, company, address, website, notes | Basic — name, phone, email, address |
| Code density | Higher (harder to scan small) | Much lower (scans easily) |
| Support | Universal | Universal, originally from Japanese phones |
| Best for | Full professional details | A small card, or a code printed small |
Rule of thumb: if you only need name, phone and email, choose MeCard — the pattern comes out noticeably sparser and scans from further away. Use vCard when the extra fields genuinely matter.
Printing it on a business card
- Size — at least 2 cm × 2 cm. Below that, a dense vCard becomes unreliable
- Quiet zone — leave clear space around the code equal to about four modules; do not let text or a border crowd it
- Format — download SVG or PDF, never PNG. Vector stays sharp at any print size
- Contrast — dark code on a light card. Avoid printing on dark or glossy stock if you can
- Placement — the back of the card, not squeezed into a corner on the front
Test the code from the actual printed card before ordering the full run. Screen and print are not the same thing: ink spread can close the gaps between modules.
Keep it short, keep it scannable
Every extra field makes the pattern denser. A vCard with a long address, a website, a note and two phone numbers can easily push the code to version 10 or higher — a fine-grained pattern that a phone struggles with on a small card.
If you find the preview getting busy, the fastest fixes are: drop the note field, shorten the address to city level, and remove one of the two phone numbers. Alternatively, put a link to a page on your own site into the code and keep the full details there.
How to create a vCard QR code
- Enter your name and titleFirst name, last name, job title and company.
- Add contact detailsPhone, email, website — only the ones you actually want on the card.
- Check the densityWatch the version number under the preview. If it climbs, remove a field.
- Download as vectorChoose SVG or PDF so the code stays sharp in print.
- Test the printed cardScan the real printed card with two phones before ordering the full run.
Frequently asked questions
Does the contact save on both iPhone and Android?
Yes. vCard and MeCard are both standard formats that the built-in contacts apps on iOS and Android understand.
Can I add a photo to the vCard?
Technically the format allows it, but a photo makes the code enormous and effectively unscannable. Better to link to a page that has your photo.
My code looks very dense — what do I do?
Remove fields. The note, the second phone number and a long address are usually the biggest contributors. Or switch to MeCard.
Can I update my details later?
Not in a code that is already printed — static codes are fixed. If your details change often, point the code at a page on your own domain and keep the details there.