PayPal QR Code
What it is, how it works, and when to use it
A PayPal QR Code opens a PayPal payment window instantly. When someone scans it, they are taken directly to a checkout page with your PayPal email, product name, price, and currency already filled in.
It removes friction and makes payments fast — ideal for donations, quick sales, tipping, event fees, invoices, physical stores, or freelancers who want instant payments without typing anything.
How to create a PayPal QR Code
The PayPal generator on SQR includes several fields:
1. Type
Choose what action the PayPal checkout should perform:
- Buy now — one-time purchase
- Add to cart — adds the item to a PayPal cart
- Donation — opens a donation page
Pick the option that fits your use case.
2. PayPal email
Enter the PayPal email that will receive the payment.
Examples:payments@yourstore.com
johnsmith@gmail.com
Make sure this email is connected to your PayPal account.
3. Product title
The item or purpose of the payment.
Examples:
“Event ticket – October workshop”
“Consulting session”
“Donation to support my work”
“T-shirt — Model A”
This will appear on the PayPal checkout page.
4. Currency code
Select the currency you want to accept.
Examples:
USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, etc.
PayPal supports many currencies — choose the one you want the user to pay in.
5. Price
Enter the exact amount the user should pay.
Examples:20
49.99
150
If you’re using Donation, you can leave this empty to allow the user to choose the amount.
6. Thank you URL
Optional.
After successful payment, PayPal can redirect users to a “Thank you” or confirmation page.
Examples:https://yourstore.com/thank-you
https://yourbrand.com/success
7. Cancel URL
Optional.
If the user cancels the payment, they will return to this link.
Examples:https://yourstore.com/canceled
https://yourbrand.com/back
These URLs help you control the user flow after checkout.
Common uses
PayPal QR Codes work great for:
- Donations and fundraising
- Event tickets and workshop fees
- Freelancer payments
- Tipping in cafés or bars
- Selling products at markets or pop-up shops
- Offline posters and flyers
- Invoice payments
- Quick mobile checkout for small businesses
They make PayPal payments simple and one-scan easy.
Limitations
- User needs a PayPal account (or credit card in supported countries)
- Fees depend on your PayPal plan
- Static PayPal QR Codes cannot be updated after printing
(Use dynamic if your prices or PayPal email may change)
Best practices
- Double-check your PayPal email
- Use clear product titles
- Add a “Scan to pay” label
- Test the payment link before printing
- Use dynamic if your pricing changes often
A PayPal QR Code lets you collect money in seconds with no manual input from the user.