A printed QR code should usually be at least about 2 × 2 cm (0.8 inch) for close-up scanning, and larger as distance grows. A common rule of thumb is to make the code roughly one tenth of the scanning distance: about 10 cm wide for a poster read from 1 metre away. Always test it before printing.
Getting the size right is one of the easiest ways to make a QR code work, and one of the easiest ways to get it wrong. Too small, and people hold their phones close, move back and forth, and give up. Too big on a small flyer, and your design suffers. This guide gives you practical sizes for common uses and explains what else affects scanning distance.
The 10:1 rule of thumb
The simplest way to choose a size is the distance-to-size ratio. Many printers and designers use a ratio of about 10:1: for every 10 units of distance, the code should be about 1 unit wide.
- Scanning from 30 cm (a table or a leaflet in hand): about 3 cm wide
- Scanning from 1 metre (a counter sign or poster at arm's length): about 10 cm
- Scanning from 2 metres (a wall poster): about 20 cm
- Scanning from 5 metres (a window or banner): about 50 cm
Treat this as a starting point, not a law. A simple, low-density code in good light can be read from further away. A dense code printed on shiny material in a dim room may need to be larger.
Minimum size for small print
For business cards, product labels and small stickers, people scan from very close. Around 2 × 2 cm is a widely used minimum for a short link. Going smaller is possible with very little data and sharp printing, but it becomes risky quickly.
If you have to print small:
- Keep the encoded data as short as possible
- Use a lower error correction level if you are not adding a logo
- Print in sharp, solid black on white
- Do not forget the quiet zone, even on tiny labels
A vCard QR on a business card is a good example. A full contact card holds a lot of text, so the code becomes dense. A dynamic code that links to the contact details can stay small and still scan reliably.
Why the amount of data changes the size you need
A QR code is a grid of small squares called modules. The more data you store, the more modules the grid needs. At the same printed size, more modules means each one is smaller, and small modules are harder for a camera to separate, especially from a distance.
That is why two codes printed at exactly 3 cm can behave very differently. One holding a short link like qr-th.com/r/abc scans easily. One holding a long URL with tracking parameters, or a full contact card, may struggle.
Ways to reduce data:
- Use a dynamic QR code, which only stores a short link.
- Use a link shortener for long web addresses.
- Remove unnecessary text or parameters before generating the code.
- Keep error correction at a sensible level unless you need a logo.
Other things that affect scanning distance
Size is only one part of the picture. These factors can make a correctly sized code fail, or let a smaller code succeed:
- Contrast: dark on light scans best. Pale colours reduce the usable distance.
- Quiet zone: the blank margin around the code. The standard asks for four modules on each side.
- Surface: glossy laminates and glass reflect light and cause glare. Matte finishes are easier to read.
- Lighting: dim rooms, strong backlight and harsh spotlights all make scanning harder.
- Angle and height: a code placed too high, too low or at a sharp angle is effectively further away.
- Print quality: low-resolution images blur the edges of modules. Use SVG or a high-resolution PNG.
- Curved surfaces: codes on bottles or cups bend. Keep them small enough relative to the curve, or place them on a flatter area.
For design advice on colours, logos and margins, see our guide to QR code design.
Suggested sizes by use
Here are practical starting sizes for common situations. Always test with real phones in the real location.
- Business card: about 2 to 2.5 cm, with a short or dynamic link
- Product label or packaging: about 2 to 3 cm
- Flyer or leaflet: about 3 to 4 cm
- Table tent or restaurant menu card: about 3 to 5 cm (see our tips on a restaurant menu QR)
- Counter sign at a till: about 5 to 8 cm
- A4 poster on a wall: about 8 to 12 cm, more if people read it from across a room
- Shop window: about 15 to 25 cm, depending on how far the pavement is from the glass
- Banner or billboard: use the 10:1 rule based on the realistic viewing distance
If you are unsure, go a little bigger. A slightly large code rarely causes problems; a small one often does.
Test before you print a full run
Printing hundreds of menus or flyers and then finding the code does not scan is expensive. A short test saves money and embarrassment:
- Print one copy at the real size, on the real paper or material.
- Put it where it will be used, or in similar lighting.
- Scan from the distance and angle customers will actually stand at.
- Try at least one iPhone and one Android phone, ideally including an older model.
- Check that the link opens the right page and that the page loads quickly on mobile data.
- If it is slow to focus, increase the size or reduce the data, and test again.
Using a dynamic QR code also protects you here. If the destination needs to change after printing, you can update the link instead of reprinting the whole batch.
FAQ
What is the smallest QR code size that works?
About 2 × 2 cm is a common practical minimum for close-up scanning with a short link. Smaller codes can work with very little data and sharp printing, but test carefully.
How far away can a QR code be scanned?
A rough guide is ten times the code's width. A 10 cm code is usually readable from around 1 metre. Data density, lighting and contrast can shorten or extend that distance.
Does a bigger QR code hold more information?
No. The amount of data decides how many modules the code has, not its printed size. Printing larger only makes each module bigger and easier to read.
Should I use PNG or SVG for printing?
SVG is ideal because it scales to any size without losing sharpness. If you use PNG, export it at a high resolution so the module edges stay crisp.
Make a QR code at the right size
The right size depends on distance, data and the place your code will live. Create a code with the free QR code generator on QR-TH, download it in a sharp format, print a test copy, and scan it the way your customers will.