QR code size for print · 8 min read · Updated 2026-08-28
QR Code Size Guide for Print (Menus, Cards, Posters, Packs)
How big a QR code should be in print. Use the 10:1 scan-distance rule, plus recommended sizes for business cards, menus, packaging, and posters.
Search “QR code size for print” and you get conflicting minimums. The number that matters is not the generator’s export pixels. It is how far the phone will be from the paper.
Recommended QR code sizes by use case
| Surface | Typical scan distance | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business card | 15–25 cm | 2.0 cm | 2.5–3.0 cm |
| Product packaging | 10–20 cm | 2.0 cm | 2.5 cm |
| Restaurant table tent | 30–50 cm | 3.0 cm | 4.0 cm |
| Flyer / menu insert | 30–50 cm | 3.0 cm | 4.0 cm |
| A3 / indoor poster | 1–2 m | 10 cm | 15 cm |
| Storefront window | 1–2 m | 15 cm | 20 cm |
| Banner / booth | 2–4 m | 20 cm | 30–40 cm |
PNG pixels are not print size
A 1024px PNG can be 1 cm or 20 cm depending on how the layout scales it. Ask the printer for the physical width. For labels, 300 dpi is a safe raster target. Vector (SVG) is better when you will blow the code up for a poster, but a sharp high-contrast PNG is enough for most packs and cards.
Quiet zone, contrast, and error correction
- Quiet zone: leave a blank margin around the code. Cropping it is a top reason scans fail.
- Contrast: dark code on light ground. Light-on-dark can work; low-contrast brand colors often do not.
- Error correction: level M is a solid default. Use Q or H only if you add a logo or expect scuffs.
- Dynamic short links: fewer modules, easier scans at the same size. Create a QR code that uses a short path.
Test before you print a thousand
- Print one copy at final size on the real stock if you can.
- Scan with a recent phone and an older phone.
- Try it in the actual lighting: a dim dining room is not an office monitor.
- If it is slow or fails, go up a size before you add decoration.
Size will not save a static code that points at a dead URL. Pair this guide with how to create a QR code you can edit after printing.
FAQ
What is the minimum QR code size for print?
Use 2 cm × 2 cm (about 0.8 in) as the practical minimum for close-range scans. Smaller can work on a new phone in perfect light, but it fails too often in real use.
How do I calculate QR code size from scanning distance?
Divide the expected scanning distance by 10. A poster scanned from 1 meter needs at least 10 cm. Add margin for dim rooms, older phones, and outdoor glare.
Does a longer URL make the QR code need to be bigger?
Yes. Longer data makes denser modules. A dynamic short link keeps the pattern simple, so the same physical size is easier to scan.