QR Code Size for Printing: Minimum Size, Resolution and Tips
How big should a QR code be on a business card, a flyer or a poster? Use the 10:1 rule, the size chart below and a few print checks to get codes that scan first time.
By MakeMyQROnline team Published 2 min read
Key takeaway
A printed QR code should be at least 2 cm × 2 cm (about 0.8 in) for close-up scanning, and about one-tenth of the scanning distance in width — for example 10 cm wide for a poster read from 1 metre. Keep a white border (quiet zone) of four modules, use dark-on-light colours, and print from SVG or PDF.
The 10:1 rule
A simple rule of thumb: the scanning distance divided by 10 gives the minimum width of the code. Someone standing 2 metres from a poster needs a code about 20 cm wide; someone holding a card at 20 cm needs about 2 cm.
More data makes a denser code with smaller squares, so long links need a bit more size. Keep links short — or use a dynamic QR code, which stores a short link however long your destination is.
QR code size chart
| Where it's printed | Typical scan distance | Recommended width |
|---|---|---|
| Business card, label, packaging | 15–25 cm | 2–2.5 cm (0.8–1 in) |
| Flyer, menu, table tent | 25–40 cm | 3–4 cm (1.2–1.6 in) |
| A4 / Letter poster | 0.5–1 m | 5–10 cm (2–4 in) |
| Shop window, standee | 1–2 m | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Banner, billboard | 3 m or more | 30 cm+ (12 in+) |
Resolution: PNG, SVG or PDF?
- SVG or PDF (vector) — best for printing; sharp at any size. Send these to your printer.
- PNG — fine for screens, documents and slides. For print, you need about 300 pixels per inch: a 2048 px PNG prints sharply up to about 17 cm (6.8 in) wide.
- Never stretch a small PNG — blurry edges make codes hard to read.
Print checks before you press "print"
- Quiet zone: leave a clear margin of at least four modules (small squares) around the code. Don't place text or images touching it.
- Contrast: dark code on a light background. Avoid light-on-dark, low-contrast pastels and busy photos behind the code.
- Error correction: choose M for plain codes, and H (30%) when you add a logo. Adding a logo explains why.
- Surface: matte paper scans better than glossy; avoid placing codes over folds, curves or seams.
- Test: print one copy at real size and scan it with an iPhone and an Android phone from the real distance.
Error-correction levels explained
| Level | Can recover | Use when |
|---|---|---|
| L | about 7% damage | Screens, clean small prints with lots of data |
| M | about 15% damage | Most everyday printing |
| Q | about 25% damage | Outdoor or rough surfaces |
| H | about 30% damage | Codes with a logo in the centre |
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Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum size of a QR code?
About 2 × 2 cm (0.8 × 0.8 in) for codes scanned close up, such as on business cards. Bigger is safer, especially for long links or codes with a logo.
How big should a QR code be on a poster?
Use the 10:1 rule: about one-tenth of the distance people will scan from. For 1 metre that is about 10 cm wide.
What resolution should a QR code be for print?
Use SVG or PDF for print. If you must use PNG, allow about 300 pixels per inch of printed width.
Does a logo make a QR code harder to scan?
A small, centred logo is fine with high (H) error correction. Keep it under about a quarter of the code's width and test-scan before printing.
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