A payment QR code is just a link — to your PayPal.me page, your Venmo handle, your Cash App $cashtag — encoded so someone can pay you with a scan instead of typing a username. Here's how each provider's format works and when a fixed amount is worth setting.
How each provider's link works
| Provider | Link format | Fixed amount |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal | paypal.me/username/amount | ✓ In the link itself |
| Venmo | venmo.com/u/username?txn=pay&amount= | ✓ Via URL parameter |
| Cash App | cash.app/$cashtag/amount | ✓ In the link itself |
| Revolut | revolut.me/username | Varies — often open amount |
Every provider uses its own link format — there's no universal "payment QR" standard, so each one needs its own code. Grab your specific link from the provider's app or website, then encode it with Capy QR's payment QR code generator, which supports PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, and Revolut directly.
Fixed amount vs. open amount
- Fixed amount — use it for: a specific price, an invoice, a ticket, or a suggested tip. Removes a step and prevents typos on the payer's end.
- Open amount — use it for: donations, pay-what-you-want situations, or any case where the payer needs to choose how much to send.
Where this works well
- Tip jars. A small printed card at a counter or on a table, styled to fit the space instead of a stark black square.
- Pop-up storefronts and markets. A payment code at each stall, especially useful without card-reader hardware.
- Invoices and receipts. A quick way to pay without retyping a link.
- Freelancer and creator business cards. A direct way to send payment alongside contact details.
Build yours in the editor → capyqr.com
Keep it dynamic if your payment details might change
A static payment code locks in one specific link forever — switch payment providers or usernames, and every printed code becomes a dead end. A dynamic code lets you redirect to whichever payment link is current without reprinting anything.
A payment code ready to display
Here's a Capy QR styled for a tip jar or counter display:
Frequently asked questions
- How do I make a payment QR code?
- Encode your PayPal.me, Venmo, Cash App, or Revolut payment link into a QR code. Most providers let you include a fixed amount directly in the link, or leave it open for the payer to enter their own.
- Should a payment QR code have a fixed amount or an open one?
- Fixed amount for a specific price (a tip jar suggestion, an invoice, a ticket) — it removes a step and avoids typos. Open amount for donations or pay-what-you-want situations where the payer needs to choose.
- Are payment QR codes safe to display publicly?
- Yes — a payment link QR code only lets someone send you money, not take it. The same caution applies as sharing the link itself: make sure the destination is genuinely your account before printing and displaying it.
- Can I use one QR code for multiple payment providers?
- Not directly — each provider needs its own link and its own code, since there's no universal payment QR standard across PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, and Revolut. Some businesses print a small cluster of codes, one per provider, to cover more payers.
- Should a tip jar QR code be static or dynamic?
- Dynamic is safer if you might ever change payment providers or usernames — a static code with an old @cashtag becomes a dead end the moment you switch. Dynamic lets you redirect to wherever your current payment link actually is.
Bottom line: grab your provider's own link, decide fixed vs. open amount, and keep it dynamic if anything might change. Ready to make one? Open the payment QR code generator or browse more QR guides.