QR Code Size Guide
The right QR code size depends on how far away people are when they scan. Too small and it won't scan. Here's the complete sizing guide for every surface.
Minimum QR code sizes by use case
| Surface | Min size | Recommended | Scan distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business card | 1.5cm | 2cm | ~20cm |
| Receipt / invoice | 2cm | 2.5cm | ~25cm |
| Table tent / menu insert | 2.5cm | 3–4cm | ~30cm |
| Sticker / product label | 2cm | 3cm | ~25cm |
| Flyer (A5/A4) | 2.5cm | 3–4cm | ~30cm |
| Brochure | 2cm | 3cm | ~25–30cm |
| Poster (A3/A2) | 3cm | 4–6cm | ~30–50cm |
| Window cling | 5cm | 8–10cm | ~50–80cm |
| Outdoor sign / banner | 8cm | 12–15cm | ~80–150cm |
| Billboard (seen from 5m+) | 50cm | 60cm+ | 5m+ |
| Digital screen / presentation | 200px | 300–400px | ~50cm |
The scanning distance formula
Minimum size = Scanning distance ÷ 10
If someone will scan your QR code from 1 meter away (100cm), the minimum code size is 100 ÷ 10 = 10cm. For 50cm: 5cm minimum. This formula applies for standard QR codes on clean, flat surfaces in good lighting.
The quiet zone: the white border requirement
Every QR code requires a quiet zone — a clear white border around all four sides. Without it, the scanner cannot reliably identify the code boundary.
For a 2cm QR code (Version 1, 21×21 modules), each module is approximately 0.95mm wide. The minimum quiet zone is 4 × 0.95mm ≈ 3.8mm on each side. In practice, leave at least 4mm of clear white space around any QR code, and more for large-format printing.
File format: SVG vs PNG for printing
Scalable Vector Graphics scale to any size without quality loss. Use SVG for any print application — business cards, packaging, signage, billboards. No resolution limitation.
PNG is suitable for digital use (websites, email, presentations). For print, use 300 DPI minimum. A 500×500px PNG prints cleanly at approximately 4.2cm at 300 DPI.
Common questions
What is the minimum size for a QR code?
The absolute minimum for a QR code is 1cm × 1cm (about 0.4 inches), but this is only reliable at very close range. For practical use, 2cm × 2cm (0.8 inches) is the minimum for scanning at a normal arm's-length distance.
How big should a QR code be on a business card?
1.5–2cm × 1.5–2cm is the recommended size for a business card QR code. This fits comfortably on a standard 85×55mm card while remaining scannable at arm's length.
How big should a QR code be on a poster?
At least 3–4cm × 3–4cm for an A4 or A3 poster hung on a wall at normal reading distance (30–50cm). For large-format outdoor posters, use the scanning distance formula: scanning distance ÷ 10 = minimum code size.
What resolution should a QR code be for printing?
For print, use SVG format (infinitely scalable, no resolution limit) or PNG at 300 DPI minimum. A 500×500px PNG at 300 DPI prints at approximately 4.2cm × 4.2cm. For larger sizes, always use SVG.
How much white space (quiet zone) does a QR code need?
A QR code requires a quiet zone (white border) of at least 4 module widths on all sides. For a 2cm QR code with 21 modules (Version 1), this is approximately 3.8mm of white space on each side. Always include the quiet zone — scanners use it to locate the code boundary.