Free tool · Saudi e-invoicing
ZATCA QR code generator & reader
Create a test QR code in ZATCA's TLV format, or decode the QR text from any Saudi e-invoice to check exactly what it contains.
For testing and checking only. This does not make an invoice ZATCA-compliant: invoices must come from a compliant e-invoicing system, and Phase 2 invoices need cryptographic tags only your onboarded system can create.
Generate a test QR code (tags 1–5)
QR code text (Base64 TLV):
Read an invoice QR code
Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us or stored.
How to use the ZATCA QR Code Generator & Reader
How the ZATCA QR code works
Every Saudi tax invoice carries a QR code. Inside it is TLV data: for each field, one byte for the tag number, one byte for the length of the value in UTF-8 bytes, and then the value itself. All the fields are joined and Base64-encoded. Tags 1–5 (seller name, VAT number, date and time, total with VAT, VAT total) have been required since 4 December 2021; Phase 2 integration adds tags 6–9 with the invoice hash and digital signatures.
When this tool helps
- Checking supplier invoices: confirm the VAT number and totals in the QR match the printed invoice.
- Testing your own system: developers can compare their output with a known-good encoding.
- Learning the format before choosing an e-invoicing provider.
Is your business in Wave 25? Read our guide to ZATCA e-invoicing Wave 25, and calculate VAT with the UAE & Saudi VAT calculator.
FAQ
Common questions
What is in a ZATCA e-invoice QR code?
The QR code holds Base64-encoded TLV (tag, length, value) data. Tags 1 to 5 are the seller's name, the seller's VAT registration number, the invoice date and time, the invoice total including VAT, and the VAT total. Phase 2 invoices add tags 6 to 9: the invoice hash, an ECDSA signature, a public key and, for simplified invoices, ZATCA's signature of the cryptographic stamp.
Does this tool make my invoices ZATCA-compliant?
No. Saudi rules require invoices to be issued from a compliant e-invoicing system, and Phase 2 invoices need cryptographic tags that only your system, onboarded to ZATCA, can produce. Use this tool to test, learn or check a QR code, not to issue invoices.
How do I check what an invoice QR code contains?
Scan the invoice QR code with any QR scanner app to get a long text string, then paste it into the reader on this page. It decodes every field, including the Phase 2 tags.
Why does the length count bytes, not letters?
ZATCA specifies that each value is UTF-8 encoded and its length is the number of bytes. Arabic letters take 2 bytes each in UTF-8, so a 4-letter Arabic name has a length of 8. This tool counts bytes correctly.
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