A UPI QR code is nothing more than your UPI ID written in a standard format that every payment app can read. You do not need a soundbox, a merchant account or an agent to get one — though each of those adds something. Here is how to make one yourself, what the options are, and the checks to do before you print.
The three routes
| Route | Best for | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your bank / UPI app (GPay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM, bank app → "My QR") | Individuals, very small sellers | 1 minute | Free |
| Merchant onboarding (PhonePe for Business, Paytm for Business, BharatPe, bank merchant QR) | Shops wanting a soundbox, settlement reports, a business VPA, MDR-exempt P2PM tagging | 1–2 days | Free; soundbox ₹1–2/day |
| Generate your own from your VPA (this guide) | Standees, invoices, receipts, delivery cards, menus — any print material | 2 minutes | Free |
All three produce codes that customers scan with any UPI app. The difference is on your side: a merchant VPA shows your business name to the customer and gives you proper reports.
How a UPI QR works
The QR encodes a link in this format:
upi://pay?pa=shop@okicici&pn=Sharma%20Electricals&cu=INR
pa— your UPI ID (VPA)pn— payee name shown in the appam— amount (optional; makes it a dynamic QR)tn— transaction note (optional, e.g. invoice number)cu— currency, always INR
Any QR generator that can encode text can make one, but a purpose-built tool avoids mistakes with encoding spaces and symbols.
Make one in two minutes
- Open the UPI standee tool.
- Enter your UPI ID and the name customers should see.
- Pick A5 (counter) or A4 (wall), a colour, and optionally a fixed amount.
- Download the PDF (print-quality) or PNG (for WhatsApp).
- Scan it yourself with the scanner — it decodes the QR and shows the exact VPA and any amount. If it isn't yours, don't print.
For bills, use a dynamic QR: the GST invoice generator and payment receipt tool embed one carrying the exact amount and the invoice number, so customers can't mistype and your reconciliation is automatic.
Print it right
- Size: at least 5 × 5 cm at the counter, 8–10 cm if customers scan from a metre away.
- Contrast: black on white. Coloured or inverted codes scan badly.
- Error correction H so a scratch or a small logo in the middle doesn't break it (the tool defaults to H).
- Quiet zone: keep white space around the code; don't crop to the edge.
- Matte lamination, not glossy.
Full checklist in UPI QR standee best practices.
Fees in 2026
Receiving UPI is free for small merchants (up to ₹1 lakh a month via UPI QR). From 15 October 2026, larger merchants pay 0.4% (capped ₹300) on transactions above ₹2,000, with a flat ₹5 for fuel, railways and telecom. Person-to-person and all transactions up to ₹2,000 stay free. Details in the MDR explainer.
Common questions at the counter
- "Payment nahi aaya" — check the transaction ID in your app; ask the customer to show the "success" screen with your name and the UTR. Print the UTR on the receipt.
- "Scan nahi ho raha" — dirty or reflective lamination, code too small, or the customer's camera; keep a second copy at phone height.
- "Can I pay ₹2 lakh?" — per-transaction limits are set by the customer's bank (usually ₹1 lakh); split or use bank transfer.
FAQ
Do I need a merchant account to accept UPI?
No. A personal VPA works. A merchant VPA (free from your PSP) shows your business name, gives settlement reports and is what NPCI uses for P2PM classification.
Can one QR code accept any amount?
Yes — a static QR without am lets the customer type the amount. Add am to fix it.
Is it safe to print my UPI ID publicly?
Yes. A VPA can only receive money; nobody can debit your account with it. Never share the UPI PIN.
Can I put my QR on my website or Instagram?
Yes — customers can scan from another device, or tap a UPI link on mobile. Use a static QR; check it monthly for tampering if it's on a physical surface.