QR Code Size Guide: Minimum Dimensions for Every Use Case

QR Code Size Guide: Why Getting It Wrong Means Zero Scans

A QR code that's too small won't scan. A QR code that's too large wastes valuable print real estate. And a QR code printed at the wrong resolution will look like a blurry mess that screams unprofessional.

Getting QR code sizing right isn't complicated, but it does require understanding a few core principles. This guide gives you the exact numbers for every common use case — from a 0.8-inch code on a business card to a 6-foot code on a billboard — along with the technical specs that ensure your codes scan reliably every single time.

The 10:1 Scanning Distance Rule

The most important sizing principle is the 10:1 ratio: the minimum QR code dimension should be approximately one-tenth of the maximum expected scanning distance.

• Scanning from 10 inches away (business card in hand): QR code should be at least 1 inch
• Scanning from 3 feet away (table tent or counter display): QR code should be at least 3.6 inches
• Scanning from 10 feet away (wall poster or signage): QR code should be at least 12 inches
• Scanning from 30 feet away (large banner): QR code should be at least 36 inches

This ratio accounts for typical smartphone camera resolution and autofocus capabilities. In practice, most modern phones can scan slightly smaller codes than the 10:1 rule suggests, but designing to this ratio ensures reliability across all devices — including older phones, budget models, and challenging lighting conditions.

Why the 10:1 Rule Works

Smartphone cameras need a minimum number of pixels to resolve the individual modules (the small squares) in a QR code. At the 10:1 ratio, even a basic 8-megapixel camera can distinguish individual modules at the specified distance. Go smaller, and budget phones start struggling. Go much smaller, and even flagship phones fail in low light or at slight angles.

The rule also accounts for real-world scanning behavior. People don't hold their phones perfectly perpendicular to the QR code at the exact optimal distance. They scan at angles, in motion, and often while distracted. The 10:1 rule builds in enough margin for imperfect scanning conditions.

Absolute Minimum Size: 2cm x 2cm (0.8 x 0.8 inches)

Regardless of scanning distance, never print a QR code smaller than 2cm x 2cm (approximately 0.8 x 0.8 inches). Below this size, even close-range scanning becomes unreliable.

At 2cm, the individual modules in a standard QR code (Version 2-4, which covers most URL-based codes) are small enough that printing imperfections — ink bleed, paper texture, slight misalignment — can cause scanning failures. Some phones can decode smaller codes under ideal conditions, but ideal conditions rarely exist in the real world.

For codes with more data encoded (longer URLs, vCard data, WiFi credentials), the minimum size increases because more modules need to fit in the same space. A QR code encoding a 100-character URL has significantly more modules than one encoding a 20-character short URL. This is one reason dynamic QR codes — which always encode a short redirect URL — have a size advantage over static codes with long URLs.

Complete Sizing Table by Use Case

Use this table to determine the correct QR code size for your specific application:

Use Case	Minimum Size	Recommended Size	Scanning Distance	DPI for Print
Business card	0.8 in (2 cm)	1 in (2.5 cm)	6-12 in	300+
Product label (small)	0.8 in (2 cm)	1 in (2.5 cm)	6-12 in	300+
Product packaging	1 in (2.5 cm)	1.5 in (3.8 cm)	8-18 in	300+
Brochure / flyer	1 in (2.5 cm)	1.5 in (3.8 cm)	12-24 in	300
Table tent / counter card	1.5 in (3.8 cm)	2 in (5 cm)	12-24 in	300
Restaurant menu	1 in (2.5 cm)	1.5 in (3.8 cm)	10-18 in	300
Magazine / newspaper ad	1.5 in (3.8 cm)	2 in (5 cm)	12-24 in	300
Letter / A4 page	1.5 in (3.8 cm)	2 in (5 cm)	12-24 in	300
Poster (small, indoor)	3 in (7.6 cm)	4 in (10 cm)	3-5 ft	150-300
Wall sign / poster (large)	6 in (15 cm)	8 in (20 cm)	5-8 ft	150
Vehicle wrap / truck sign	8 in (20 cm)	12 in (30 cm)	6-10 ft	150
Trade show banner	8 in (20 cm)	12 in (30 cm)	6-10 ft	150
Yard sign	6 in (15 cm)	8 in (20 cm)	5-10 ft	150
Window decal	4 in (10 cm)	6 in (15 cm)	3-6 ft	300
Banner (outdoor)	12 in (30 cm)	18 in (45 cm)	10-20 ft	72-150
Billboard	4 ft (1.2 m)	6 ft (1.8 m)	30-60 ft	10-30
Building wrap	6 ft (1.8 m)	10 ft (3 m)	50-100 ft	10-30

Notes on the Sizing Table

Scanning distance is the deciding factor. If your table tent sits on a high counter and customers scan from 3 feet away instead of 12 inches, size up to the poster recommendation.

The "recommended" column builds in margin. The minimum will work under good conditions. The recommended size accounts for poor lighting, phone cases partially blocking camera lenses, and users scanning at oblique angles.

Outdoor applications need to size up. Sunlight, glare, and wind (if the code is on a banner) all reduce scanning reliability. Add 25-50% to the minimum size for any outdoor application.

Print Resolution: DPI Requirements

DPI (dots per inch) determines how sharp your QR code appears in print. A blurry QR code fails to scan even if it's the right physical size.

DPI Guidelines

• 300 DPI: Standard for anything printed at close range — business cards, brochures, menus, packaging, flyers. This is the universal safe choice for commercial printing.
• 150 DPI: Acceptable for posters, banners, and signage viewed from 3+ feet away. At this distance, the human eye (and phone cameras) can't distinguish individual dots, so 150 DPI looks sharp enough.
• 72 DPI: Only appropriate for very large format printing (billboards, building wraps) where the viewing distance is 20+ feet. At billboard scale, low DPI doesn't matter because no one views the print surface close up.
• 10-30 DPI: Standard for the largest outdoor formats. Billboard printers routinely produce high-quality output at resolutions that would look terrible on paper.

How to Ensure Your QR Code Meets DPI Requirements

When generating your QR code, export it at the highest resolution available. A common mistake is generating a QR code at screen resolution (72 DPI) and then scaling it up for print. Scaling up a low-resolution image doesn't add detail — it just makes the blur bigger.

Vector formats are ideal for print. If your QR code generator offers SVG or PDF export, use those. Vector files scale to any size without losing quality because they're defined by mathematical curves, not pixels.

If you only have a PNG, generate it as large as possible. A 3000x3000 pixel PNG gives you a 10-inch code at 300 DPI — sufficient for most applications. For larger formats, you'll want to regenerate at a higher pixel count or use a vector format.

The Quiet Zone: The Invisible Requirement

The quiet zone is the empty margin surrounding your QR code. It's not decorative — it's a functional requirement that tells the scanner where the code begins and ends.

Quiet Zone Specifications

• Minimum quiet zone: 4 modules wide on all four sides
• What's a module? The smallest square unit in the QR code pattern. If your QR code is 1 inch wide with 25 modules across, each module is 0.04 inches, and the quiet zone needs to be at least 0.16 inches (4 x 0.04) on each side.
• In practice: A margin equal to about 10-15% of the code's width on all sides satisfies the quiet zone for most QR code versions.

Common Quiet Zone Mistakes

Cropping too tightly. Designers sometimes trim the white space around a QR code to save space. This is the single most common reason QR codes fail to scan. The scanner needs that margin to detect the code's boundaries.

Placing the code against a busy background. If your QR code sits on a patterned or colored background, the scanner can't distinguish where the code ends and the background begins. Always place QR codes on a solid, contrasting background — even if that means adding a white rectangle behind the code.

Overlapping with other design elements. Text, logos, or graphic elements that intrude into the quiet zone will cause scanning failures. Treat the quiet zone as sacred, untouchable space.

Adding the Quiet Zone to Your Design

Most QR code generators include the quiet zone in the exported image. If yours doesn't, add a solid-color margin equal to at least 10% of the code width on all sides. White is the safest choice, but any solid color that contrasts with the code's modules works.

Color and Contrast Requirements

Size and resolution get a QR code to the right physical dimensions. Color and contrast determine whether the scanner can actually read it.

Minimum Contrast Ratio

QR codes require a minimum contrast ratio of 4:1 between the dark modules (foreground) and the light background. The higher the contrast, the more reliable the scan.

• Best: Black on white (21:1 contrast ratio) — maximum reliability
• Good: Dark navy on white, dark green on white, dark red on cream — high contrast
• Acceptable: Medium-dark colors on light backgrounds — works in good conditions
• Risky: Medium contrast combinations like gray on light gray, blue on purple — unreliable
• Will fail: Light on light, dark on dark, or any combination below 3:1 contrast

Color Rules

1. Dark foreground, light background. Always. Some phones can scan inverted codes (light on dark), but many cannot. Don't gamble on it.
2. Avoid red and green together. Approximately 8% of men have red-green color vision deficiency. More importantly, some phone cameras in low light interpret red and green modules ambiguously.
3. No gradients on the code itself. Gradients within the QR pattern can push modules below the contrast threshold. Use solid colors only for the code.
4. Background gradients are fine as long as every point behind the code maintains sufficient contrast. If your background fades from white to light gray, keep the QR code over the lighter area.
5. Test in the worst-case scenario. If the code will be outdoors, test in direct sunlight (glare reduces effective contrast). If indoors under fluorescent lighting, test there. Real-world conditions are always worse than your monitor.

Static vs Dynamic: How QR Type Affects Size

The type of QR code you use directly impacts its physical size requirements.

Why Dynamic QR Codes Can Be Smaller

A dynamic QR code encodes a short redirect URL (e.g., qr.io/abc123 — roughly 20 characters). A static QR code encoding a full URL (e.g., https://www.example.com/products/category/item-name?utm_source=flyer&utm_medium=print — 80+ characters) needs significantly more modules to store that data.

More modules mean a denser pattern, which means:

• Each module is physically smaller
• The code needs to be printed larger for reliable scanning
• Print imperfections have a greater impact

Practical size difference: A dynamic QR code can be 25-40% smaller than a static code for the same destination URL while maintaining identical scannability. On a business card where every millimeter counts, this difference matters.

For a full comparison of static and dynamic QR codes beyond just sizing, see our QR code generator comparison guide.

Sizing for Specific Scenarios

Business Cards

Business cards are the tightest sizing constraint most people encounter. The standard business card is 3.5 x 2 inches, and every element competes for space.

Recommended QR code size: 0.8-1 inch square, placed in the bottom-right corner or centered on the back of the card.

Tips:

• Use a dynamic QR code to keep the pattern simple (fewer modules = cleaner appearance at small sizes)
• Print at 300 DPI minimum — business cards are viewed at arm's length
• Maintain the quiet zone even if it feels like wasted space
• Test the printed card, not just the screen design — paper texture and ink absorption affect scannability

Posters and Flyers

Recommended QR code size for flyers (A5/half-letter): 1.5-2 inches Recommended QR code size for posters (A3/tabloid): 3-4 inches Recommended QR code size for large posters (A2/18x24): 4-6 inches

Tips:

• Position the QR code in the bottom third of the poster where people naturally look for action items
• Include a 2-3 word call-to-action directly below or beside the code
• Leave generous quiet zone — on a poster, you have room
• For outdoor posters behind glass, test scanning through the actual glass at distance

Product Labels and Packaging

Product labels vary enormously, from tiny supplement bottles to large shipping boxes.

Rule of thumb: Measure the scanning distance — how far away will the customer's phone be when they scan? Apply the 10:1 rule.

Tips:

• For curved surfaces (bottles, cans), increase size by 20% to compensate for the curvature distortion
• Test scanning on the actual curved surface, not on a flat proof
• Matte label finishes scan more reliably than glossy (less glare)
• If the label background is colored, add a white rectangle behind the QR code

Vehicle Wraps and Outdoor Signage

Recommended QR code size for vehicle wraps: 8-12 inches minimum Recommended QR code size for yard signs: 6-8 inches minimum Recommended QR code size for building signage: scale to viewing distance using 10:1 rule

Tips:

• Assume the worst-case scanning distance — people will scan from farther away than you expect
• Use high-contrast colors; avoid relying on vehicle paint color for contrast
• Test in direct sunlight — glare is the number one outdoor scanning killer
• Place codes on flat surfaces, not over curves, seams, or textured materials

Billboards and Large Format

Billboards are scanned from moving vehicles (as passengers) or by pedestrians across a street. Scanning distances range from 30 to 100+ feet.

Recommended QR code size: 4-6 feet minimum for highway billboards, 2-3 feet for urban transit ads.

Tips:

• Keep the encoded data minimal (dynamic QR code with a short redirect URL)
• Use maximum contrast — black on white only
• Include a very short URL as text alongside the QR code for people who can't scan (traffic, distance)
• Accept that billboard QR codes have inherently low scan rates — they work best in stopped-traffic situations (bus stops, transit shelters, highway rest areas)

Testing Your QR Code Before Print

Never send a QR code to print without testing it in conditions that match how it will be used.

Pre-Print Testing Checklist

1. Print a test at actual size on a standard printer. Screen appearance does not predict print performance.
2. Scan with 3+ different phones: an iPhone, an Android, and ideally an older or budget model.
3. Scan from the expected distance: If the poster will hang on a wall and viewers scan from 5 feet away, test at 5 feet.
4. Scan in the expected lighting: Fluorescent office light, natural daylight, and dim environments all affect scanning differently.
5. Scan at an angle: People rarely hold their phones perfectly straight. Test at 15-30 degree angles.
6. Verify the destination: Confirm the QR code opens the correct URL, not just that it scans successfully.

What to Do if Your Code Doesn't Scan

• Increase size by 25% and test again
• Increase contrast — switch to pure black on pure white if using custom colors
• Simplify the encoded data — switch to a dynamic QR code with a shorter URL
• Check the quiet zone — ensure no design elements intrude on the margin
• Regenerate at higher resolution — ensure the source file exceeds the print DPI requirement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum QR code size for printing?

The absolute minimum is 2cm x 2cm (0.8 x 0.8 inches) for close-range scanning (within 12 inches). For practical use on business cards and product labels, 1 inch (2.5 cm) is recommended. For any application where the scanning distance exceeds 2 feet, use the 10:1 rule: one-tenth of the scanning distance.

How big should a QR code be on a poster?

For a standard indoor poster viewed from 3-5 feet, make the QR code 3-4 inches. For a large poster or banner viewed from 8-10 feet, size the code at 8-12 inches. Always test at the actual viewing distance before committing to print.

What DPI should I use for a QR code?

Use 300 DPI for anything printed at close range (business cards, flyers, menus, packaging). Use 150 DPI for posters and signage viewed from 3+ feet. Use 72 DPI or lower only for very large format printing (billboards, building wraps) where viewing distance exceeds 20 feet.

Does the quiet zone really matter?

Yes. The quiet zone is the single most common reason QR codes fail to scan. Without an adequate margin (at least 4 modules wide on all sides), the scanner cannot detect where the code begins and the background ends. Never crop the white space around a QR code.

Can I put a logo inside my QR code without affecting the size?

Yes, but with constraints. QR codes include error correction that allows up to 30% of the code to be obscured (at the highest error correction level). A small center logo covering 10-15% of the code area is generally safe. However, adding a logo effectively increases the minimum reliable size because fewer modules are available for data encoding. Test thoroughly after adding any logo.

Is there a maximum QR code size?

There is no maximum. QR codes scale infinitely because the pattern is relative, not absolute. A 1-inch code and a 10-foot code contain identical information. The practical maximum is determined by your print material size and budget. The largest functional QR codes in the world span hundreds of feet, created from arranged objects or painted on building rooftops.

How does QR code version affect size?

QR codes come in versions 1 through 40, with each version adding more modules (and thus more data capacity). Version 1 has 21x21 modules. Version 40 has 177x177 modules. Higher versions encode more data but produce denser patterns that require larger print sizes. Most URL-based QR codes use versions 2-6 (25x25 to 41x41 modules). Dynamic QR codes with short redirect URLs typically use the lowest versions, which keeps the print size requirement small.

What's the best file format for printing QR codes?

SVG (vector) is the best format for print because it scales to any size without quality loss. If SVG isn't available, use the highest-resolution PNG your generator offers. Avoid JPEG — the lossy compression creates artifacts that can interfere with scanning. PDF is also excellent for print workflows as it preserves vector data.