How to Create a QR Code for Location Sharing?


A location QR code provides a simple way to share geographic information with other people. Instead of asking someone to manually search for a place or type coordinates, you can provide location information through a scannable QR code.

Location QR codes can be useful for businesses, restaurants, offices, event venues, meeting points, properties, travel destinations, service locations, and personal navigation.

When someone scans a location QR code with a compatible smartphone, the encoded geographic information can be recognized as a location and may be opened in a compatible mapping application.

In this guide, you'll learn what a location QR code is, how it works, how to create one, how to share a location, where to use it, and how to test it before publishing or printing it.

Quick answer: To create a location QR code, find the latitude and longitude of the place you want to share, enter the coordinates into a location QR code generator, generate the QR code, and scan it with a compatible smartphone. Confirm that it identifies the correct location before downloading, printing, or sharing it.

What Is a Location QR Code?

A location QR code is a QR code containing geographic location information.

The location can be represented using geographic coordinates such as latitude and longitude. When the QR code is scanned, compatible devices or applications can interpret the information as a geographic location.

This provides a convenient way to connect printed or digital materials with a physical place.

How Does a Location QR Code Work?

A location QR code works by encoding geographic coordinates into QR code data.

  1. Choose the location you want to share.
  2. Obtain the location's latitude and longitude.
  3. Enter the coordinates into a location QR code generator.
  4. Generate the QR code.
  5. Share or display the QR code.
  6. A person scans the QR code with a compatible smartphone.
  7. The location information can then be interpreted by a compatible application.

The exact experience after scanning can vary depending on the smartphone, operating system, camera application, and mapping application being used.

Depending on how the QR code encodes the coordinates, a smartphone may recognize the information as a location or offer to open it in a compatible mapping application. Test the generated code on a real device to confirm that the location can be accessed as expected.

What Information Does a Location QR Code Use?

A location QR code can use geographic coordinates to identify a position on Earth.

The two primary coordinate values are:

  • Latitude — identifies the position north or south.
  • Longitude — identifies the position east or west.

You can also use an optional name or description when your QR code tool supports it. This can help identify the location you are sharing.

How to Create a QR Code for Location Sharing

Step 1: Choose the Location

First, decide which physical location you want to share.

This could be a business, restaurant, office, home, event venue, meeting point, tourist destination, property, or another geographic location.

Step 2: Find the Latitude and Longitude

You can use a mapping service such as Google Maps to find the coordinates of a location.

  1. Open the map and search for the place you want to share.

  2. Select the correct location or place a pin at the precise point.

  3. Find the latitude and longitude using the map's location information.

  4. Copy the coordinates and check that they correspond to the intended location.

If you already know the coordinates, you can enter them directly into the location QR code generator.

Tip: For a business, event, or property, verify the exact entrance or meeting point rather than relying only on the general area.

Step 3: Open the Location QR Code Generator

Use the Free Location QR Code Generator from QR Code Tools to create a QR code for the geographic coordinates you want to share.

Step 4: Enter the Coordinates

Enter the latitude and longitude of the location you want to share.

Check the numbers carefully before generating the QR code. An incorrect coordinate can point to a different location.

Step 5: Add a Location Name if Needed

If the generator provides an optional name field, you can use it to identify the location.

For example, you could identify a location as a business name, event venue, office, meeting point, or another useful description.

Step 6: Generate the QR Code

After entering the required information, generate the location QR code.

The geographic information is converted into a QR code that can be scanned by compatible devices.

Step 7: Scan and Test the QR Code

Always test the QR code before sharing it publicly or printing it.

Scan the QR code using a compatible smartphone and check that the resulting location corresponds to the place you intended to share.

If the location is incorrect, check the latitude and longitude and generate a new QR code.

Step 8: Download and Share It

Once you have confirmed that the QR code points to the correct location, download the QR image and add it to your desired material.

Using a Location QR Code for a Business

Businesses can use location QR codes to help customers find their physical premises, offices, stores, or service locations.

Add the QR code to promotional materials, brochures, signs, business cards, or advertisements. Before publishing it, verify that the encoded coordinates point to the correct entrance or customer meeting point.

For business information beyond geographic coordinates, you can also use the Business QR Code Generator, depending on the information you want to share.

Location QR Codes for Restaurants and Cafés

Restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and other food businesses can use location QR codes to make it easier for customers to find their physical location.

A location QR code can be included in promotional materials, event invitations, social media graphics, printed advertisements, or other appropriate materials.

You can combine location information with other QR code tools when customers also need access to a website, menu, contact information, or WiFi.

Location QR Codes for Events

Event organizers can use QR codes to share the geographic location of conferences, meetings, celebrations, exhibitions, workshops, or other gatherings.

The QR code can be included in invitations, event programs, posters, registration materials, or digital communications.

Before distributing the event material, test the QR code and confirm that the coordinates identify the correct venue or meeting point.

Use a QR Code for a Meeting Point

A location QR code can also be useful when people need to meet at a specific geographic point.

For example, a QR code could identify a designated meeting location for an event, outdoor activity, property visit, group gathering, or other appointment.

This can reduce the need for people to manually enter coordinates when the location is shared through printed or digital materials.

Location QR Codes for Properties

Property owners, real estate professionals, builders, and developers may find location QR codes useful when sharing the geographic position of a property or development.

A QR code can be placed on a brochure, signboard, advertisement, or other property-related material.

Always verify the coordinates before publishing the QR code, particularly when the exact location is important.

Location QR Codes for Travel and Tourism

Travel-related materials can also use location QR codes to provide geographic information about attractions, accommodation, meeting points, landmarks, or other destinations.

A location QR code can be included alongside written directions or other travel information.

Where Can You Use a Location QR Code?

Location QR codes can be used in both printed and digital materials.

  • Business cards
  • Storefront signs
  • Event invitations
  • Event posters
  • Restaurant advertisements
  • Property brochures
  • Real estate signage
  • Travel materials
  • Tourism guides
  • Flyers
  • Brochures
  • Digital presentations
  • Marketing materials

How to Make a Location QR Code Easy to Scan

A QR code needs to remain visually clear so smartphone cameras can recognize its pattern.

  • Use sufficient contrast between the QR code and its background.
  • Keep the QR pattern unobstructed.
  • Leave clear space around the QR code.
  • Choose an appropriate physical size.
  • Avoid placing the QR code over complicated photographs.
  • Test the QR code before printing or publishing it.

If you customize the QR code, make sure the design does not interfere with reliable scanning.

Tips for Printing a Location QR Code

Consider the distance from which people will scan the QR code.

A QR code on a business card can be relatively small because the person can hold the card close to a smartphone. A QR code on a poster or sign may need to be larger because people may scan it from farther away.

Test the actual printed version before producing a large quantity of materials.

Why Location Accuracy Matters

A location QR code is only useful if the encoded coordinates identify the intended place.

Before sharing the QR code, verify the latitude and longitude carefully and scan the finished code yourself.

This is particularly important for businesses, event venues, property locations, and meeting points where an incorrect location could cause confusion.

Privacy Considerations for Location QR Codes

Consider carefully whether a location is appropriate to share publicly before creating a QR code for it.

A publicly distributed location QR code can make the encoded geographic information available to anyone who can access and scan the QR code.

Avoid publishing precise private or sensitive locations unless you are comfortable sharing that information with the intended audience.

Location QR Code vs. URL QR Code

If you want to send people to a webpage containing directions, a business website, or another online resource, a URL QR Code Generator may be more appropriate.

If you specifically want to share geographic coordinates, the Location QR Code Generator is designed for that purpose.

Other QR Code Tools You Can Use

QR Code Tools provides several browser-based QR utilities for different types of information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a location QR code?

A location QR code is a QR code containing geographic information, typically represented using latitude and longitude coordinates.

How do I create a QR code for a location?

Obtain the latitude and longitude of the location, enter the coordinates into a location QR code generator, generate the QR code, and test it with a compatible smartphone.

Can I use a location QR code for my business?

Yes. Businesses can use location QR codes on business cards, signs, flyers, brochures, advertisements, and other materials to share the geographic location of their physical premises.

Can I use a location QR code for an event?

Yes. Event organizers can use location QR codes to share the geographic position of an event venue or meeting point.

Does a location QR code require a specific mapping application?

The experience after scanning depends on the device and software being used. Compatible devices or applications may recognize the geographic information and provide an option to view it as a location.

Should I test a location QR code before printing it?

Yes. Test the finished QR code and confirm that it identifies the intended location before publishing or printing it.

Can I share a private location with a QR code?

You can create a QR code containing geographic information, but consider carefully who will have access to it before sharing a precise private or sensitive location publicly.

Create a QR Code for Location Sharing

A location QR code makes it easier to share geographic information through printed or digital materials. It can be useful for businesses, event venues, meeting points, properties, restaurants, and travel destinations.

Before sharing your QR code, verify the coordinates, test the scanning experience, and consider whether the location information is appropriate to make public.


Ready to create a location QR code? 

Create a Free Location QR Code

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