QR code size for print
A QR code that is too small is the most common reason a print run fails. The right size depends on how far away people will scan it and how much data the code holds.
The 10:1 rule
A good rule of thumb: the code should be at least one tenth of the scanning distance. Scanned from 30 cm, make it 3 cm; from 2 metres, make it 20 cm.
Minimum sizes by material
Business cards and labels: at least 2 × 2 cm.
Flyers, menus and table tents: 3–4 cm.
Posters seen from a few metres: 10–20 cm.
Banners and building signs: scale with distance using the 10:1 rule.
Keep the quiet zone
Leave a margin of empty space around the code — about four modules (the small squares) wide. Text or graphics touching the code are a common cause of failed scans.
Use vector files
Download SVG, PDF or EPS for print. Vector files stay perfectly sharp at any size, while an enlarged PNG can blur.
Dynamic codes have fewer modules, so they stay readable at small sizes where a long static link would not.
Frequently asked questions
What is the smallest QR code that works?
About 2 × 2 cm for close scanning, if the code holds little data and is printed sharply.
Does a logo change the minimum size?
A logo hides some modules; keep it under about a quarter of the code and raise error correction to Q or H.
What resolution should a PNG be?
For print, prefer vector. If you must use PNG, export at least 1000 px for small prints and more for large ones.