What Size Should a QR Code Be? A Practical Sizing Guide

Why size matters

A QR code that's too small won't scan; one that's needlessly huge wastes space. Getting the size right is the single biggest factor in reliable scanning. Here's how to size any code for print.

The 10:1 distance rule

The simplest guideline: a QR code should be at least one-tenth of the scanning distance. If people scan from 1 metre away, make the code at least 10 cm wide. From 3 metres — a shop window — aim for 30 cm or more. When in doubt, go bigger.

Minimum practical size

For close-up scanning (a table tent, a business card, a product label), the smallest reliable size is around 2 × 2 cm (0.8 × 0.8 inch). Below that, dense codes with lots of data become hard for cameras to resolve. Simple codes (short URLs) can go a little smaller than complex ones (vCards, long text).

Recommended sizes by use

• Business cards / labels: 2–2.5 cm
• Flyers / menus / table tents: 2.5–4 cm
• Posters: 8–15 cm
• Shop windows / banners: 20–30 cm and up
• Billboards: scale to the viewing distance using the 10:1 rule

Keep the quiet zone

Whatever the size, leave a clear margin around the code — about four modules wide — so scanners can find it. Don't crowd it with text or graphics.

Resolution and format

Size on the page is only half the story — the file has to be sharp. For print, export a high-resolution PNG or, better, a vector SVG, PDF or EPS that stays crisp at any scale. Our generator exports all four. For documents and menus you'd rather not reprint, a PDF QR code is ideal.

Test before you print

Print a proof at the final size and scan it with two different phones from the real-world distance. If it reads instantly, you're good. Ready? Follow our step-by-step guide or create your code now.