How to create a Telegram QR code
- 1
Add your username or link
Type your @username, or paste a t.me link to a group, channel, bot or invite.
- 2
Design it
Add your colours, logo and a frame such as “Join us on Telegram”.
- 3
Download and test
Scan it from another phone and check the right chat or channel opens.
How a Telegram QR code works
The code holds a Telegram link, such as t.me/yourchannel. When someone scans it, Telegram opens straight into the chat, group, channel or bot, with a Join or Start button where it applies. Without the app, the link opens a preview page with a button to open or install Telegram.
Type a username with or without the @, or paste any t.me link, including private invite links that start with t.me/+.
What you can link to
- Your personal or business chat, if you have a username. People can message you without seeing your phone number.
- A public channel, for news, offers and updates that people follow
- A public group, for communities, classes and clubs
- A private group or channel, through an invite link
- A bot, for bookings, orders, support or quizzes. The bot starts as soon as they tap Start.
Telegram or WhatsApp?
Both open a chat in one scan. The main difference for print is privacy and scale:
- A Telegram code can point to a username, so your phone number stays private. Channels can reach very large audiences, and groups can be much bigger than WhatsApp groups.
- A WhatsApp code opens a chat with your phone number, and can pre-fill the first message. It’s often the better choice where most customers already use WhatsApp.
Many businesses print both, and let customers choose.
Where people use Telegram QR codes
- Shops and online sellers announcing new stock and offers in a channel
- Coaching centres, tutors and colleges running class groups
- Crypto, tech and gaming communities
- Events and meetups, with a group for attendees
- Restaurants and services taking orders or bookings through a bot
- Creators and newsletters growing a channel
Tips
- Pin a welcome message in groups and channels, so new people know what to expect.
- Add join requests to private invite links if you want to approve members first.
- Set a clear name and photo. It’s the first thing people see on the preview page.
- Revoking an invite link makes printed codes stop working, so keep a separate invite link just for print.
Static and dynamic codes
This is a static code: free and permanent, but fixed once printed. A dynamic QR code lets you change where it points, for example to a new group when the old one is full, and counts how many people scanned.
Print tips
t.me links are short, so the code scans well at 2 cm on cards and stickers. On posters, make it about a tenth of the distance people stand away. Keep the code dark on a light background, and use Telegram blue in the frame.