How big should a printed QR code be?

The 10:1 rule

A reliable rule of thumb: a QR code should be at least one tenth as wide as the distance it will be scanned from. Treat these as minimums for a short link, and go bigger for codes that hold more data.

Less data, bigger squares

A QR code is a grid of small squares called modules. The more text you put in, the more modules the grid needs, and at a fixed print size each one gets smaller. A short link such as qrfun.app/q/menu produces a much coarser grid than a 120-character tracking URL, so it scans from further away and survives rougher printing. That is one practical reason to print dynamic codes: the link inside is always short.

The same applies to contact cards. A vCard code with a name, company, phone, email and website holds a lot more data than a link, so give it extra room.

Keep the quiet zone

Scanners need a clear border around the code to find it. The QR code standard asks for a margin four modules wide, and downloads from this site include it. Do not crop it off, and do not let text, frames or the edge of the paper creep into it.

Contrast and color

• Dark on light. Black on white is the safest choice. Brand colors work if the code is clearly darker than its background.
• Avoid inverted codes. Many phone cameras can read a light code on a dark background, but not every scanner can.
• No busy backgrounds. Keep photos, gradients and patterns out from behind the code.
• Watch pale colors. Yellow, light gray and pastels on white often lack the contrast a camera needs.

Use the right file

Download SVG for anything that is printed. It is a vector format, so it stays perfectly sharp on a business card or a banner. If your printer or design tool only accepts images, download a PNG at 1024 or 2048 px. Never screenshot the preview: it is a low-resolution image meant for the screen.

Error correction

QR codes carry spare data, so they still scan when part of them is scratched or dirty. There are four levels, from L (about 7% of the code can be recovered) to H (about 30%). This site uses level M, about 15%, which balances robustness against a denser pattern and suits most print. It is also why you should not cover part of a code with a logo unless the code was made with that in mind.

Surfaces and placement

• Glare. Glossy paper and lamination reflect light straight into the camera. Matte finishes scan more reliably.
• Curves. On bottles and cups the code bends away from the camera. Keep it small relative to the curve, or put it on a flat label.
• Height and angle. Place codes where people can get their phone square to them, not above head height or down at floor level.
• Connection. A code that opens a web page needs mobile data. Underground platforms and basements often have none.

Test before the print run

Print one copy at its real size. Scan it with at least two phones, ideally an iPhone and an Android, from the distance people will actually stand, in the real lighting. Then check that the page it opens loads quickly over mobile data. A few minutes of testing is much cheaper than reprinting.

Checking a design file from a printer or agency? Drop an export into the QR code scanner to see exactly which link the code contains before you approve it.