QR Code Size Guide for Print
A tiny QR code may fit beautifully on a business card and still be awkward to scan. Make it too large, and it takes over the design. The sensible size depends on where the code will sit and how far away people will hold their phones. Use the examples below to choose a starting size, then try a real print before ordering the full batch.
The 10:1 Rule: How Scan Distance Determines Size
The 10:1 ratio is a useful starting point: try a QR pattern about one tenth of the distance from which people will scan it. It's a practical estimate, so give yourself room to increase the size after testing.
If someone will hold their phone about 30 cm (12 inches) away, start with a pattern about 3 cm (1.2 inches) wide, plus the blank margin. A more detailed pattern, dim lighting, or textured paper can call for a larger code. The farther away the person stands, the more space the code generally needs.
Recommended Sizes by Use Case
These are starting widths for the QR pattern itself, without the surrounding blank margin. Choose the width for the actual scanning distance and allow additional space for the quiet zone.
| Use case | Scan distance | QR width |
|---|---|---|
| Business cards | 10–15 cm | 2–2.5 cm |
| Flyers, table tents | 20–30 cm | 3–4 cm |
| Restaurant menus | 30–40 cm | 4–5 cm |
| Posters, flyers on walls | 50 cm – 1 m | 5–10 cm |
| Storefront windows, banners | 3–5 m | 30–50 cm |
The Quiet Zone: Don't Skip the Margin
Every QR code needs a blank margin around it, called the quiet zone. Leave at least the width of four of the small squares that make up the pattern on every side. Keep nearby text, logos, and borders outside that space so the camera can distinguish the code from its surroundings.
Choosing the Right File Format
For a business card or flyer at a fixed size, a sharp PNG is a good starting point. Avoid stretching a small image to fill a poster. If the artwork will be resized, choose SVG: the QR pattern can scale without becoming pixelated. Use a good-quality logo too, if you've added one.
QR-ZY Starter includes PNG, JPG, SVG, and PDF. A PDF export contains an image, so check its sharpness at the intended print size rather than assuming the file extension makes it vector artwork. Your printer's requirements and a full-size proof are the best final checks.
Always Test Before You Print in Bulk
Before sending a design to print 500 flyers or a large banner, print one test copy at actual size and scan it with a few different phones. Lighting, paper texture, and printer quality can all affect scannability, and it's much cheaper to catch a problem on one test print than on the full order.
Quick Checklist
- QR width suits the actual scan distance and pattern density.
- Every side has a blank margin at least as wide as four of the code's smallest squares.
- The exported file stays sharp at the final print size.
- A full-size test print scans on different phones from the expected distance.
- The QR has strong contrast, with no busy background, folds or glare obscuring it.