Everything you need to know about UPI QR codes in India — how to create one, the difference between personal and merchant QR codes, transaction limits, and how to stay safe.
A UPI QR code is a two-dimensional barcode that encodes UPI (Unified Payments Interface) payment information, allowing anyone to make instant bank-to-bank payments by simply scanning the code with any UPI-enabled app. When scanned, the QR code pre-fills the payee's UPI ID and optionally the payment amount, so the payer just needs to confirm and enter their UPI PIN.
UPI QR codes follow the BharatQR and UPI QR standards defined by NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India). They are interoperable — a QR code generated from Google Pay works with PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM, and every other UPI app. This interoperability is what makes UPI QR codes the backbone of India's digital payment revolution.
As of 2026, over 300 million merchants in India accept payments via UPI QR codes, from large retailers to street vendors. UPI processes over 10 billion transactions per month, with QR code-based payments forming a significant share.
There are several ways to create a UPI QR code:
For merchant QR codes with transaction tracking, you can apply through your bank or payment gateway provider. Banks like SBI, HDFC, ICICI, and Axis offer merchant QR code solutions with settlement reports and analytics.
| Feature | Static UPI QR | Dynamic UPI QR |
|---|---|---|
| Amount | Fixed or open (payer enters amount) | Unique amount per transaction |
| Reusable | Yes — same QR for every transaction | Each QR is for one transaction only |
| Generation | One-time (print and use forever) | Generated per transaction by POS/app |
| Tracking | Basic — shows in UPI app history | Full — links to specific invoice/order |
| Best for | Small shops, freelancers, donations | E-commerce, large retailers, billing systems |
| Cost | Free to generate | Usually requires payment gateway integration |
| Feature | Personal QR | Merchant QR |
|---|---|---|
| UPI ID type | Personal (name@upi) | Business (shopname@axisbank) |
| Daily limit | Rs 1 lakh (combined send + receive) | Rs 2 lakh+ per transaction, no daily cap |
| Transaction reports | Basic app history only | Detailed daily/monthly settlement reports |
| Payment confirmation | App notification only | Soundbox, smart speaker, SMS alerts |
| GST invoicing | Not available | Available with some providers |
| Refunds | Manual via app | Automated refund workflows |
| MDR (charges) | Zero for P2P | Zero for most transactions (RBI mandate) |
| Setup | Free, instant | May require KYC and bank approval |
| Category | Per Transaction Limit | Daily Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Personal UPI (P2P) | Rs 1 lakh | Rs 1 lakh (combined) |
| Merchant payments (P2M) | Rs 1 lakh (standard) | No cap on number of transactions |
| Tax payments | Rs 5 lakh | As per category |
| Education fees | Rs 5 lakh | As per category |
| Hospital/healthcare | Rs 5 lakh | As per category |
| IPO applications | Rs 5 lakh | As per category |
| Insurance premiums | Rs 5 lakh | As per category |
| UPI Lite (small payments) | Rs 500 | Rs 4,000 (wallet balance limit) |
Note: NPCI periodically revises transaction limits. The limits above are as of early 2026. Some banks may set lower limits for their customers. Check with your bank for the most current limits.
QR code fraud (especially in UPI payments) is a growing concern. Follow these safety practices:
Create a free UPI payment QR code that works with Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm and all UPI apps. Print it and start accepting payments instantly.
Generate UPI QR Code →You can create a UPI QR code for your business in three ways: (1) Use QR Batao's free UPI QR code generator — enter your UPI ID, business name, and optionally a fixed amount, then download the QR code image. (2) Generate one from your UPI app (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm) under the "Receive Money" or "My QR Code" section. (3) Apply for a merchant QR code from your bank or payment service provider for transaction tracking and settlement features.
A personal UPI QR code is linked to your personal bank account and UPI ID (like yourname@upi). It has a daily receiving limit of Rs 1 lakh and no transaction tracking features. A merchant UPI QR code is linked to a business account, offers a higher daily limit (Rs 2 lakh or more), provides transaction reports, daily settlement summaries, and may offer features like Paytm Soundbox or PhonePe SmartSpeaker for instant payment confirmation.
For personal UPI accounts, the daily transaction limit is Rs 1 lakh (combined sending and receiving). For merchant UPI accounts, the limit is typically Rs 2 lakh per transaction with no daily cap on the number of transactions. Certain categories like tax payments, education fees, and hospital payments support up to Rs 5 lakh per transaction. These limits are set by NPCI and may be updated periodically.
Before scanning a UPI QR code: (1) Check that the QR code is not a sticker pasted over the original one. (2) After scanning, verify the payee name and UPI ID displayed on your screen matches the intended recipient. (3) Never enter your UPI PIN to "receive" money — UPI PIN is only needed to send money. (4) For online purchases, scan QR codes only from the official website or app. (5) Be wary of QR codes received via WhatsApp, SMS, or email from unknown senders.
Yes, you can create a UPI QR code with a pre-filled fixed amount. When someone scans this QR code, the amount field is automatically populated and they just need to confirm and enter their UPI PIN. This is useful for fixed-price products, subscription payments, or donation collection. You can generate fixed-amount UPI QR codes using QR Batao's UPI QR code generator for free.