What size should a QR code be?
10 min read
The minimum QR code size for print is about 0.8 × 0.8 in (2 × 2 cm) for a code scanned from arm's length, like on a business card. The farther away people stand, the bigger the code has to be: as a rule of thumb, about one tenth of the scanning distance.
In short
- From arm's length (8 to 12 in), a code about 0.8 in (2 cm) wide is enough.
- Rule of thumb: code width is about one tenth of the scanning distance.
- Keep a quiet zone of 4 empty modules around the code.
- A 2048 px file covers about 6.8 in (17 cm) at 300 dpi; print anything larger from a vector file.
- Shorter links mean fewer, bigger modules that are easier to scan.
Contents
The distance rule
A phone has to see every module, the smallest square in the code, as a separate dot. The farther away the code is, the smaller it looks to the camera, so the simplest rule is: make the code about one tenth as wide as the distance it will be scanned from.
- 1 ft (a flyer in hand): about 1.2 in,
- 3 ft (a poster on the wall): about 3.6 in,
- 10 ft (a banner over a door): about 12 in.
It's a rule of thumb, not a standard. It holds for codes with a short link and good contrast. A dense code with a long URL, dim light or glossy stock raises the QR code size you need, so when in doubt, go bigger.
QR code size by medium
Rule-of-thumb widths for the code itself, not counting the quiet zone:
| Medium | Scanning distance | Code width |
|---|---|---|
| Business card (QR code for business cards) | 8-12 in | 0.8-1 in (2-2.5 cm) |
| Flyer or door hanger (QR code on a flyer) | 12-16 in | 1.2-1.6 in (3-4 cm) |
| Table tent or counter sign | 12-20 in | 1.2-2 in (3-5 cm) |
| Poster, 11 × 17 in | about 3 ft | about 4 in (10 cm) |
| Poster, 18 × 24 in or larger; storefront window | 5-6 ft | 6-7 in (15-18 cm) |
| Yard sign | 6-10 ft | 7-12 in (18-30 cm) |
| Banner or billboard | 15 ft and up | 18 in (45 cm) and up |
Billboards are a special case: nobody scans from a moving car, so a code only makes sense where people stand still, like a bus shelter. A code behind a storefront window needs extra room too, because the glass reflects light.
Why short links make bigger modules
Print size is half the story; density is the other half. The longer the text inside a code, the more modules it needs, and the same 0.8 in split into more squares means smaller squares that are harder to read.
linqr is a dynamic QR code generator: every code holds a short link like onsonara.com/q/k7x2mz9, written in capital letters so the encoder can use its more compact mode. That makes the code one version smaller: 25 × 25 modules instead of 29 × 29 at medium error correction. At 0.8 in wide, each module is then about 0.03 in (0.8 mm).
The takeaway: with a static code, shorten the link before you turn it into a code. With a dynamic code the problem goes away, because the code always holds the same short address no matter how long your destination is, UTM tags included.
The quiet zone
The quiet zone is the empty border around the code that tells a phone where the code begins. According to DENSO WAVE, the company that invented the QR code, the code needs a margin four modules wide on all sides.
In linqr this is Margin (quiet zone) in the More tab, set to 4 modules by default and recommended. The margin is already part of your download, so the file is wider than the code: with a 25 × 25 code and a margin of 4, the code takes up 25 of 33 modules, about three quarters of the file width.
A common layout mistake is cropping that “extra” white border or pushing the code right up against a photo or text. Treat the margin as part of the code.
Pixels vs print
In print, resolution is counted in dots per inch (dpi), and 300 dpi is the safe default for anything people look at up close. To get the print width in inches, divide the pixels by 300.
| File | Width at 300 dpi | Plan in linqr |
|---|---|---|
| 512 px | about 1.7 in (4.3 cm) | Free |
| 1024 px | about 3.4 in (8.7 cm) | Free |
| 2048 px | about 6.8 in (17 cm) | Free |
| 4096 px | about 13.7 in (35 cm) | Pro |
These widths cover the whole file, quiet zone included. A poster seen from a distance can get away with fewer dots per inch, but a vector file is simpler. For PDF and EPS, linqr lets you pick the Print size directly: 3, 5, 10 or 20 cm (about 1.2, 2, 3.9 or 7.9 in), and a vector file scales up without losing sharpness.
Which file format
In short: PNG for documents and prints up to about 6 inches, vector for anything that goes to a print shop or needs to be big.
- PNG: transparent background; good for Word, slides and home printing.
- JPG and WEBP: small files for screens; JPG always has a white background.
- SVG: a vector that stays sharp at any size, on linqr's Free plan.
- PDF and EPS: vector files for print shops, on linqr's Pro plan.
Torn between SVG and PNG? Pick SVG: you lose nothing, and your printer gets a vector. Every format, and what to send your printer, is covered on our SVG QR code generator page.
Test before printing
Check the preview
The creator should show Scans correctly next to your code.
Print a proof at 100%
A regular printer is fine. Print at the final width and with the surrounding layout, such as the whole flyer page.
Scan from the real distance
Stand where your customers will stand and use two phones, an iPhone and an Android, in normal lighting.
Check the material
Glossy lamination, glass and curved surfaces like mugs or bottles can get in the way. When in doubt, go bigger.
If the code still won't scan, work through the causes in QR code not working? Causes and fixes.
Make a print-ready QR code
Paste your link, look for Scans correctly and download a PNG or SVG. You can change the link even after printing.
Get a QR codeQuestions
What is the minimum size of a QR code?
For a code scanned from arm's length, about 0.8 × 0.8 in (2 × 2 cm), not counting the empty margin around it. That assumes a short link, good contrast and matte paper. A code that holds a long URL has more modules and needs more room. For codes read from farther away, use the rule of thumb: width equals about one tenth of the scanning distance.
What size should a QR code be on a business card?
On a standard 3.5 × 2 in business card, a code 0.8 to 1 in wide works well. Leave an empty margin around it and keep it away from the trim edge. A vector file (SVG, PDF or EPS) keeps the module edges crisp, which matters at such a small size. Scan one printed proof before you order the full run.
How many pixels do I need for print?
At 300 dpi, the safe resolution for anything seen up close, 1024 px covers about 3.4 in, 2048 px about 6.8 in, and 4096 px about 13.7 in. That's the full file width, margin included. For larger formats a vector file is best: in linqr, SVG on the Free plan, or PDF and EPS on Pro.
How big should a QR code be on a billboard?
Use the one-tenth rule: a code read from 15 feet needs to be about 18 in wide, and from 30 feet about 3 feet wide. Billboards along roads are a poor fit, since drivers can't scan safely; codes work where people stand still, like bus shelters or station platforms. Print it from a vector file so it stays sharp at that size.
Does a logo change the size I need?
Usually a little. When you add a logo, linqr's automatic error correction switches to the highest level so the code survives the covered modules. The code then grows from 25 × 25 to 29 × 29 modules, so at the same width each module is about 14% smaller. In practice, add about 15% to the size from the table.
Can a QR code be too big?
Yes, when it no longer fits in the camera frame at the distance people stand. A code filling a wall looks fine from across the room but can't be scanned from a step away. For a very large code, check the closest spot people will scan from. Bigger modules themselves never hurt, so go large for distance, not for close-up use.
How much empty space should I leave around a QR code?
Four modules on every side, which is the quiet zone the QR standard calls for. For a linqr code without a logo (25 × 25 modules) printed 0.8 in wide, that's about 0.13 in (3.2 mm) per side. linqr already includes this margin in every download as Margin (quiet zone), so don't crop it or put text or graphics inside it.
What size should a QR code be on a product label or sticker?
About 0.8 to 1 in (2 to 2.5 cm), because labels are scanned from arm's length. On a bottle, jar or other curved surface, put the code on the flattest part or make it smaller along the curve, but not below 0.8 in. Choose a matte label if possible, since glossy film reflects light. Print a test label and scan it on the product.
How big should a QR code be on a slide or a projected presentation?
Use the distance rule for the farthest seat: about one tenth of that distance. In a room 30 ft deep, the projected code should be around 3 ft wide, which usually means it fills much of the slide. Keep a white background and the quiet zone, leave the slide up for a while, and add the short web address under the code.
Can I resize a QR code PNG without losing quality?
Scaling down is fine; scaling up a small PNG makes the edges blurry. Download the largest file you need, up to 2048 px on linqr's Free plan or 4096 px on Pro, and always resize proportionally so the code stays square. For print shops or large formats, use SVG instead, which stays sharp at any size.
How big should a QR code be on a T-shirt or tote bag?
About 3 to 4 in (8 to 10 cm) on the chest or a bag, since people scan from 3 ft or more and fabric blurs fine detail. Stretching and folds distort the pattern, so place it on a flat area, use high contrast and simple square modules, and give your printer a vector file. Test a sample garment before a full run.