Fundamentals

Phone Call QR Codes: tel URIs and International Number Formatting

Codexengr, QR Systems Engineer

Published 2026-07-30 (Updated 2026-10-05)

4 min read

Peer Reviewed & Fact Checked

1. Format

`tel:+923001234567`

Use E.164: a plus sign, country code, then the national number without the leading zero. A Pakistani mobile number written locally as 0300 1234567 becomes +92 300 1234567.

2. Behavior

Phones show a call prompt, and the user must confirm. No call is placed automatically.

3. Tips

* Never include spaces or dashes in the payload. * Add the number in plain text near the code for accessibility and as a fallback. * For business contacts consider a vCard so people can save the number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I include the leading zero?

Not with the country code. Drop the national trunk zero in E.164.

Can the code dial an extension?

Pause characters are inconsistently supported. Use a direct line instead.

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