MeCard is a data file similar to vCard but used by NTT DoCoMo in Japan in QR code format for use with Cellular Phones.
It is largely compatible with most QR-readers for smartphones. It is an easy way to share a contact with the most used fields. Usually, devices can recognize it and treat it like a contact ready to import.
MeCard is based in UTF-8 (which is ASCII compatible), the fields are separated with one semicolon (;), the tags are separated with a colon (:). Compared to vCard, it needs very few chars due to the size limitation of QR Codes.
MECARD:N:Doe,John;TEL:13035551212;EMAIL:john.doe@example.com;;Limitations
Compared to vCard, MeCard format only stores one single contact, a few labels, and a few data pieces to be set in a typical phonebook.
Structure
MeCard format starts with the tag MECARD and it finishes with two semicolons (;;)
The supported tags include:
| Tag | i-mode compatible bar code recognition function | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ADR | 3.0 | The physical delivery address. The fields divided by commas (,) denote PO box, room number, house number, city, prefecture, postal code and country, in order. | ADR:,,123 Main St.,Springfield,IL,12345,USA; |
BDAY | 3.0 | 8 digits for date of birth: year (4 digits), month (2 digits) and day (2 digits), in order | BDAY:19700310; |
EMAIL | 1.0 | The address for electronic mail communication | EMAIL:johndoe@hotmail.com; |
N | 1.0 | A structured representation of the name of the person. When a field is divided by a comma (,), the first half is treated as the last name and the second half is treated as the first name. | N:Doe,John; |
NICKNAME | 3.0 | Familiar name for the object represented by this MeCard | NICKNAME:Johnny; |
NOTE | 1.0 | Specifies supplemental information to be set as memo in the phonebook. | NOTE:I am proficient in Tiger-Crane Style,\nand I am more than proficient in the exquisite art of the Samurai sword.; |
SOUND | 1.0 | Designates a text string to be set as the kana name in the phonebook. When a field is divided by a comma (,), the first half is treated as the last name and the second half is treated as the first name. | |
TEL | 1.0 | The canonical number string for a telephone number for telephony communication | TEL:(123) 555-5832; |
TEL-AV | 2.0 | The canonical string for a videophone number communication | TEL-AV:(123) 555-5832; |
URL | 3.0 | A URL pointing to a website that represents the person in some way | URL:https://www.johndoe.com/ |
External links
- NTT DoCoMo MECARD format and example at the Wayback Machine (archived 4 March 2016)
- QR Code MeCard online generator
- MECARD QR code generator
- MeCard offline generator