You see UPI QR codes everywhere — kirana stores, street food stalls, medical shops, salons, restaurants. Customers scan and pay in seconds. No cash, no change, no waiting.
Setting one up for your own shop takes less than 2 minutes and costs nothing. You do not need a card machine, a merchant account, or any technical knowledge.
This guide shows you exactly how to do it.
What You Need Before You Start
Just one thing — your UPI ID.
Your UPI ID is the address that receives payments. It looks like name@okaxis, mobile@paytm or name@ybl. You already have one if you use Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm or any UPI app.
- A smartphone with Google Pay, PhonePe or Paytm installed
- Your UPI ID (found in the app under Profile — details below)
- Your shop name to display on the QR
- A printer to print the QR — or any print shop nearby
💡 No UPI app yet?
Download Google Pay or PhonePe, link your bank account, and your UPI ID is created automatically. The entire process takes under 5 minutes. Once done, come back and create your shop QR code.
Step-by-Step: Create UPI QR Code in 2 Minutes
1
Open ToolsFlow QR Generator
Go to toolsflow.in/qr-generator/ on your phone or desktop. No login, no signup. It opens instantly.
2
Select the UPI Payment tab
The UPI Payment tab is selected by default. You will see fields for UPI ID, shop name, amount and payment note.
3
Enter your UPI ID and shop name
Type your UPI ID in the first field. Enter your shop name — this is what customers see when they scan. For example: Raj Kirana Store or Sharma Medical.
4
Set amount (optional)
Leave the amount field empty so customers can enter their own amount each time. Or set a fixed amount if you always charge the same — for example a subscription or fixed-price service.
5
Click Generate and download
Click Generate UPI QR Code. Your QR appears instantly in the preview. Click Download PNG — a high-resolution image saves to your phone or computer.
6
Test scan before printing
Before printing, open Google Pay or PhonePe and scan the QR from your screen. Confirm your shop name and UPI ID appear correctly. Then print and display.
Your QR code is generated entirely in your browser. Your UPI ID is never sent to any server and is never stored anywhere. Your payment details are completely private.
How to Find Your UPI ID
Your UPI ID is in your payment app under Profile. Here is exactly where to find it in each app:
Open GPay → Tap your profile photo (top right) → UPI ID is shown below your name
name@okaxis or mobile@oksbi
Open PhonePe → Tap Profile icon → My Profile → UPI ID is listed
name@ybl or mobile@ibl
Open Paytm → Tap Profile → UPI ID is shown under your name
mobile@paytm
Open BHIM → Profile → UPI ID shown. Bank apps show it in Account section
mobile@upi
How to Print and Display Your QR Code
Once you download the QR PNG, you need to print it and place it where customers can scan easily. Here are the most important things to get right:
📐
Minimum size: 5cm × 5cm
Anything smaller causes scan failures. For a wall display or standing board, print 10cm × 10cm or larger.
🖨️
Print at 300 DPI minimum
Tell your print shop "high quality print." A blurry QR code will not scan reliably — always test before placing permanently.
☀️
Avoid glare and reflection
Use matte lamination, not glossy. Avoid placing the QR where direct sunlight hits — glare makes it hard to scan.
✅
Always test scan first
Before printing in bulk, scan the printed QR with Google Pay, PhonePe and Paytm. Confirm your name and UPI ID appear correctly in all three apps.
🖨️ Where to print cheaply
Any local print shop can print your QR code. Transfer the PNG to a USB or send via WhatsApp to the print shop. Most shops charge ₹5–20 for a single laminated QR code printout. You can also print at home and laminate separately.
Where to Display Your QR Code
- Counter top — most common, where customers pay
- Wall behind the counter — visible from a distance
- On your visiting card — for freelancers and professionals
- On your packaging — customers pay before or after receiving
- On your shop board or signage outside
- As a WhatsApp status or Instagram bio for online businesses
Why UPI QR is Better Than a Card Machine
Many small shop owners still hesitate to switch from cash because they think accepting digital payments requires a card machine. It does not. Here is how UPI QR compares:
| Feature | UPI QR Code | Card Machine (POS) |
| Setup cost | ₹0 — completely free | ₹2,000–5,000 upfront |
| Monthly rental | ₹0 — no rental ever | ₹300–500/month |
| Transaction fee | Zero MDR on most payments | 1–2% per swipe |
| Settlement time | Instant to bank | T+1 or T+2 days |
| Works with all apps | All 300+ UPI apps | Visa/Mastercard only |
| Setup time | 2 minutes | 2–7 days approval |
| Expires | Never | Machine replacement every 3–5 years |
💸
Zero transaction fees
UPI has zero MDR (Merchant Discount Rate) for most transactions. You receive 100% of every payment.
⚡
Instant settlement
Money appears in your bank account immediately — no waiting 1–2 business days like card payments.
📱
Works with every app
One QR accepts Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM and all 300+ UPI apps. No separate QR needed.
🔒
No registration needed
Just your UPI ID. No merchant account, no KYC, no approval process. Start in 2 minutes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌
Wrong UPI ID
Double-check your UPI ID before generating. One wrong character means payments fail or go to the wrong account entirely.
❌
Not testing before printing
Always scan from your screen first. Confirm your shop name and UPI ID appear correctly. Then print. Reprinting costs time and money.
❌
QR printed too small
Below 5cm × 5cm causes scan failures. Customers give up and pay cash instead. For counters, 5cm minimum. For walls, 10cm or larger.
❌
Using glossy lamination
Glare from glossy lamination makes QR codes hard to scan in bright light or sunlight. Always use matte finish lamination.
❌
Setting fixed amount for all items
If your shop sells different items at different prices, leave amount empty. Fixed amount is only for single-price services like subscriptions.
❌
Placing QR in a corner
A QR code tucked away gets ignored. Place it at eye level, at the exact point where customers pay — clearly visible at all times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to create a UPI QR code for shop free? +
Go to ToolsFlow QR Generator at toolsflow.in/qr-generator/, select the UPI Payment tab, enter your UPI ID and shop name, click Generate and download the PNG. Print at minimum 5cm × 5cm and place at your counter. Completely free, no registration needed, works forever.
Can I use one QR code for Google Pay, PhonePe and Paytm? +
Yes. One UPI QR code works with all UPI apps — Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM and all 300+ UPI-enabled apps in India. You do not need a separate QR code for each app. This is the core advantage of UPI — one interoperable system for all banks and payment apps.
Do I need a merchant account for a UPI QR code? +
No. You only need your personal UPI ID — the one you already use on Google Pay or PhonePe. There is no merchant account, no KYC for the QR code itself, and no approval process. Just enter your UPI ID, generate the QR and start accepting payments immediately.
Does a UPI QR code expire? +
No. A static UPI QR code never expires. Print it once and use it forever. There is no renewal, no monthly fee and no account needed to keep it active. As long as your UPI ID is active, the QR code works.
How to find my UPI ID? +
In Google Pay: tap your profile photo, UPI ID is shown below your name. In PhonePe: tap Profile icon then My Profile. In Paytm: tap Profile, UPI ID is under your name. It looks like name@okaxis, name@ybl or mobile@paytm.
Is UPI QR code free for small businesses? +
Yes, completely free. There is no cost to create the QR code. There are also zero transaction fees on UPI payments — unlike card machines that charge 1–2% per swipe, UPI has zero MDR for most merchant transactions. You receive 100% of every payment.
Can customers scan the QR without a specific app? +
Customers need any UPI app installed on their phone — Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM or any bank app with UPI. They open the app, tap the scan icon, point at your QR code and complete the payment. The camera app alone cannot complete a UPI payment.
ToolsFlow Editorial Team
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