How Big Should a QR Code Be? The Complete Print Size Guide
A QR code that doesn't scan is worse than no QR code at all. Size is the #1 reason printed QR codes fail. Here's the exact size to use for every placement — from business cards to billboards — plus the simple formula behind it.
The 10:1 Scan Distance Rule
The golden rule of QR code sizing is simple:
QR code width ≥ Scan distance ÷ 10
If people scan from 1 metre away, the QR code must be at least 10 cm wide.
This works because phone cameras need the QR code to fill enough of the frame to decode it. Too far away relative to its size, and the camera can't resolve the individual modules (the small squares).
QR Code Size Chart by Use Case
| Placement | Scan Distance | Minimum QR Size |
|---|---|---|
| Business card | 10–20 cm | 2 × 2 cm |
| Product packaging | 15–30 cm | 2.5 × 2.5 cm |
| Restaurant table card | 30–50 cm | 4 × 4 cm |
| Counter standee | 50–80 cm | 8 × 8 cm |
| Wall poster (A4/A3) | 1–1.5 m | 10–15 cm |
| Shop window | 1–2 m | 15–20 cm |
| Banner / hoarding | 3–5 m | 30–50 cm |
| Billboard | 10–20 m | 1–2 m |
| Projector slide | 2–5 m (audience) | Fill ⅓ of slide height |
3 Other Factors That Affect Scannability
- Data density: longer URLs create more modules, which need more physical space. A 30-character URL scans fine at 2 cm; a 200-character URL may need 4 cm+. Shorten long URLs before generating.
- Quiet zone: leave a white margin around the QR code at least 4 modules wide. Printing the QR flush against borders, text, or images breaks scanning.
- Contrast: dark code on a light background. Light-on-dark (inverted) QR codes fail on many devices. Avoid low-contrast brand colours like yellow-on-white.
Why SVG Beats PNG for Print
A PNG is a fixed grid of pixels. Enlarge it for a banner, and the edges blur — blurry module edges are the #1 cause of failed scans on large-format prints. An SVG is a vector format: it describes the QR code as mathematical shapes, so it stays perfectly sharp at any size, from a stamp to a billboard.
QRcraft's free QR code generator offers SVG downloads at no cost — most competitors lock SVG behind a paywall.
Pre-Print Checklist
- Print a test copy at the actual size
- Scan it with both an iPhone and an Android from the real-world distance
- Test in the actual lighting conditions (dim restaurants need bigger codes)
- Check the quiet zone isn't cropped by the print layout
- Verify the link opens the correct page
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the minimum printed QR code size?
2 × 2 cm for close-range scanning (business cards). Bigger is always safer.
How do I size a QR for a poster or banner?
Use the 10:1 rule — QR width ≥ scan distance ÷ 10.
PNG or SVG for printing?
SVG — it stays sharp at any size. PNG is for digital use.
Why does my small QR fail to scan?
The URL is probably too long, making the pattern too dense. Shorten the URL or print larger.
Generate a print-ready QR code
Free SVG downloads — sharp at any size, from cards to billboards.
Generate Free QR Code →