What size should a QR code be when you print it?
Updated by Scan & Snap
As a rule of thumb, make a QR code at least 2cm wide, and about one-tenth of the distance it'll be scanned from. A table card scanned from 30cm needs at least 3cm; a poster read from 2 metres needs at least 20cm. Leave a clear margin around the code, and test a printed copy on a real phone.
QR code size by scanning distance
| Where it's used | Typical scanning distance | Minimum width (10:1) | Sensible size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business card | 20cm | 2cm | 2-2.5cm |
| Table card or invitation | 30cm | 3cm | 4-5cm |
| A5 flyer or menu | 40cm | 4cm | 5-6cm |
| A4 sign on a table | 1m | 10cm | 11-12cm |
| Poster on a wall | 2m | 20cm | 22-25cm |
| Banner | 5m | 50cm | 55-60cm |
The 10:1 ratio and 2cm floor are industry rules of thumb, not a formal standard. Vendors' guidance varies a little, so use these as a starting point and test your own print.
Why more data needs a bigger code
A QR code is a grid of small squares. The longer the link inside, the more squares it needs, so each square gets smaller at the same printed size. Phones struggle with very small squares. Keep the link short if you can. If your code looks very dense, print it larger than the table suggests.
The quiet zone
A QR code needs a clear margin on all sides so phones can tell where it starts. The usual guidance is at least four of the code's small squares. Don't let text, photos or the edge of the card run into that margin. It's one of the most common reasons for a code not scanning.
Print mistakes to avoid
- Glossy paper under bright lights. Reflections can stop a scan. Matt card is safer.
- Low-contrast colours. Dark code on a pale background is safest. Light on dark can fail on some phones.
- A stretched image. Resize with the corners locked, so that the code stays square.
- A blurry image. Use the original file at full size, not a screenshot. Vector files such as SVG stay sharp at any size.
- Curved surfaces. A code on a bottle or a narrow cup can distort, so print it smaller than the curve or try it first.
- Dim rooms. Evening receptions can be dark. Put a code near a light if you can.
How to test it
- Print one copy at the final size, on the final paper.
- Scan it from the real distance, in similar lighting.
- Try at least three phones, including an older one, and one iPhone and one Android.
- Make sure the link goes to the right place, and works on mobile data as well as Wi-Fi.
- Then print the rest.
Using a QR code for guest photos
If your code is for collecting photos at an event, our free printable table cards and A4 poster are already set to a scannable size. You can also download the code as a PNG for your own design.