How big should a printed QR code be?

The right size depends on how far away people stand when they scan. A widely used rule of thumb is a ratio of about 10 to 1: the scanning distance should be no more than about ten times the width of the code. Bigger is safer, and a busy code with lots of data needs more room than a simple one.

You can make QR codes in your client portal's QR code builder. The help article "How short links and QR codes work" covers that tool.

Quick size table

These widths are for the code itself. Add the clear border (the quiet zone) on top.

Where people scan from	Code width, at least
Hand-held, about 1 foot (30 cm): business card, menu, flyer	about 1.2 inches (3 cm)
Arm's length to a counter, about 3 feet (1 m): table tent, register sign	about 3.6 inches (10 cm)
Across a small room, about 6 feet (2 m): poster, window sign	about 7 inches (20 cm)
Across a room, about 10 feet (3 m): wall sign, event banner	about 12 inches (30 cm)
Far away, about 30 feet (9 m): large banner, vehicle	about 3 feet (90 cm)

On very small items, such as business cards, try not to go below about 0.8 inches (2 cm) even when people hold the card close.

Things that change the answer

• Amount of data. A QR code grows from 21 by 21 modules up to 177 by 177 as it holds more data. More modules in the same space means smaller modules, which are harder to read. A short link keeps the code small and simple.
• The quiet zone. The QR code standard asks for a clear margin four modules wide on all sides. Plan space for it on your layout.
• Lighting, angle and surface. Glossy surfaces, curved items like cups, dim rooms and steep angles all make scanning harder. Go bigger when any of these apply.
• Logos and styling. A logo or decorative styling takes away some of the code's built-in error correction. Add size to make up for it.

Before you print

1. Place the code in your layout at its final size.
2. Print a proof at 100% scale.
3. Stand where a customer will stand and scan it with several phones.
4. If any phone struggles, make the code larger or simpler and test again.

We can do this for you. Open a request in your client portal and our team will check the size and placement of a QR code on your design before it goes to print.

Common problems

• If the code scans up close but not from the planned distance, make it larger using the table above.
• If the printer shrank your code to fit the layout, ask for a new proof at the agreed size.
• If the edges look fuzzy in print, send the printer a vector file (SVG or PDF) instead of a small PNG.
• If you cannot fit a larger code, shorten the link it holds so the pattern gets simpler.

Related articles

• How do I design a QR code people will actually scan?
• Short links and QR codes
• What is the difference between vector and raster images?