At a glance
- Format written
SMSTO:<number>:<message>- Number cleaning
- Spaces are removed. Brackets and dashes are kept.
- Error correction
- Level M
Fields
Phone Number Required
Your number in international format, starting with + and the country code. Type it as digits: spaces are removed, but brackets and dashes would stay in the code.
Prefilled Message Optional
Text that appears in the message box, written as typed. A keyword such as BOOK at the start makes replies easy to sort.
What the code contains
Number +1 555 123 4567 with a message
SMSTO:+15551234567:BOOK table for 2
Number only
SMSTO:+15551234567:
What it does not do
- It does not send the text. The person's messaging app opens and they press send.
- It has no WhatsApp option. The Booking generator can make a WhatsApp code.
- Standard message rates apply to the person sending.
Message length and size
The number and the message both go inside the code, so every character you add makes the grid bigger. We made two codes with the same number:
| Message | Grid | Smallest print width |
|---|---|---|
| BOOK table for 2 (16 characters) | 29 × 29 | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| 160 characters, one full text message | 53 × 53 | 24.4 mm (1 in) |
A short keyword is enough. The person can type the rest themselves, and a small code scans faster from a poster or a table card.
Common mistakes
Typing the number with brackets and dashes
Spaces are removed, but brackets and dashes stay. Typed as +1 (555) 123-4567, the code contains:
SMSTO:+1(555)123-4567:Hi
Most phones cope, but some messaging apps treat the brackets as part of the number. Type digits only, starting with + and the country code.
Leaving out the country code
A local number only works for people in your country. Tourists and anyone on a foreign SIM will text the wrong place. Always start with + and the country code.
Worrying about colons in the message
The format uses a colon to split the number from the message, so people expect a colon in the text to break it. It does not: everything after the second colon is the message.
Message BOOK: 2 people, 7:30pm
SMSTO:+15551234567:BOOK: 2 people, 7:30pm
We scanned this with jsQR and the whole message came back as typed.
Questions
Does the SMS code send the text by itself?
No. Scanning opens the messaging app with the number and message filled in. Nothing is sent until the person presses send, and the normal message rate applies to them.
Can I change the number after printing?
No. The number is written into the code itself. If the number may change, put a link to a page with your contact details in the code instead, using the URL generator.
Does it work on both iPhone and Android?
SMSTO is the common format for text message codes, but camera apps differ. Test one printed copy on the phones your customers use before you print a batch.