How big should a QR code be?
Two things decide whether a QR code scans: how big it is, and how far away the person scanning is. There is a simple rule of thumb that works for most printing, and it saves you from reprinting a banner no one can scan.
The rule of thumb: distance divided by ten
A common rule is to make the code about one tenth as wide as the distance people will scan from. Measure the distance in inches, divide by ten, and that is your minimum width. Bigger is always safe.
Even at arm's length, don't go below about 0.8 inch (2 cm) square. Smaller codes are hard for phone cameras to focus on.
| Where people scan from | Distance | Minimum code width |
|---|---|---|
| Held at arm's length (a card or label) | 1 ft (30 cm) | 1.2 in (3 cm) |
| Across a desk | 3 ft (90 cm) | 3.6 in (9 cm) |
| Across a counter | 5 ft (1.5 m) | 6 in (15 cm) |
| A poster on a wall | 10 ft (3 m) | 12 in (30 cm) |
| A storefront sign | 20 ft (6 m) | 24 in (60 cm) |
Don't forget the blank border
Every QR code needs a clear margin around it, often called the quiet zone, about as wide as four of the code's small squares. The border lets the phone tell where the code starts. Our downloads already include it, so don't crop it off, and don't let a frame, a photo, or text run into it.
Longer links make denser codes
The more text a code holds, the more small squares it needs, and the smaller each square must be at a given size. A dense code needs more room to scan reliably. A dynamic code stores a short address, so its pattern stays simple at any size.
Contrast and finish matter as much as size
Print dark squares on a light background. Avoid inverting the colors, since some scanners can't read light-on-dark codes, and avoid pale colors that blur into the background. A matte finish scans better than a glossy one, which reflects light back at the camera.
Test before you print a thousand
Print one sample at the real size and scan it with at least three phones, at the real distance, in the real light. A test on your computer screen doesn't count. Screens glow and paper doesn't.
Questions
What is the smallest a QR code can be?
About 0.8 inch (2 cm) square for a code held at arm's length, with a clear border all around.
Can I stretch a QR code to fit a space?
No. Keep it square. Stretching distorts the pattern and can stop it scanning.
Does a bigger code always scan faster?
Bigger helps with distance. Past that, contrast, a clear border, and a sharp print matter more.
Get a dynamic QR code for $3
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