QR Code Size Guide
Size is one of the most overlooked factors in QR code reliability. A code that works perfectly at 10 cm on screen may fail completely when printed at 1 cm on a business card.
In This Guide
The Minimum Size Rule
The minimum size for a QR code in print is 2 × 2 cm (roughly 0.8 × 0.8 inches) for scanning at close range — about 20 cm (8 inches) from the phone. For every additional 50 cm of scan distance, add about 1 cm to each side.
This assumes:
- Good lighting
- High contrast (dark modules on white background)
- No logo overlay
- A standard smartphone camera from 2018 or newer
Size by Scan Distance
| Scan Distance | Minimum QR Size | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| 20 cm — hand-held (receipt, business card) | 2 × 2 cm | 3 × 3 cm |
| 50 cm — table card, menu | 3 × 3 cm | 5 × 5 cm |
| 1 m — A4 flyer, poster | 5 × 5 cm | 8 × 8 cm |
| 2 m — counter stand, window | 10 × 10 cm | 15 × 15 cm |
| 5 m — banner, billboard | 30 × 30 cm | 50 × 50 cm |
Common Print Surfaces
- Business card (85 × 55 mm): 2–3 cm QR, placed in a corner away from text
- Receipt (80 mm wide): 3–4 cm QR, full width minus margins
- Table card (A6/A5): 5–7 cm QR, centered
- A4 flyer: 6–10 cm QR depending on viewing distance
- Poster (A2/A1): 10–15 cm QR
- Outdoor banner (1–3 m wide): 30–80 cm QR
Digital Display Sizes
For screens, physical size depends on pixel density. A 2048×2048 px PNG at 150 dpi renders at about 34 cm — more than enough for any screen use. For small embedded uses (email signatures, website thumbnails), maintain at least 150 × 150 pixels on screen.
The Quiet Zone
Every QR code requires a clear white border (quiet zone) on all four sides — at least 4 modules wide. If you remove this border by printing the QR code edge-to-edge, many scanners fail to locate the code.
FREE QR 360 includes the quiet zone in all downloads. Do not crop it out when placing in design software.