A QR code that scans perfectly on your monitor can fail completely once it's printed on a kraft-paper box or a glossy flyer. Size is the first thing to get right — and the easiest to get wrong.
The 10:1 rule
Minimum QR code width ≈ scanning distance ÷ 10.
If people scan from 30 cm (about a foot), the code should be at least 3 cm (1.2 in) wide. If they scan a poster from 2 m away, aim for 20 cm.
| Where it's printed | Typical scan distance | Minimum size |
|---|---|---|
| Business card | 15–20 cm | 2 × 2 cm (0.8 in) |
| Flyer, menu, table tent | 30 cm | 3 × 3 cm (1.2 in) |
| Product packaging | 30 cm | 2.5 × 2.5 cm (1 in) |
| A3 poster on a wall | 1 m | 10 × 10 cm (4 in) |
| Window or street sign | 2–3 m | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
These are minimums. When in doubt, go bigger.
More data = denser code = bigger print
Every character you encode adds modules (the tiny squares). A long URL or a full vCard produces a dense pattern that needs more space to stay readable.
Two ways to keep codes sparse:
- Shorten the content — don't encode tracking parameters if you can avoid it.
- Use a dynamic QR code: the pattern only stores a short redirect link, so it stays simple regardless of the destination. See static vs. dynamic QR codes.
Leave the quiet zone alone
The white border around a QR code — the quiet zone — should be at least four modules wide. Designers often crop it to make a layout look tidy, or place the code against a busy photo. Scanners then can't find where the code starts.
Contrast matters more than color
Dark code on a light background, always. Combinations that commonly fail:
- Yellow or light gray on white
- Brown on kraft paper
- Inverted (light code on dark background) — many older scanners can't read it
Brand colors are fine as long as they're dark: navy, burgundy, deep purple.
Material and surface
- Glossy lamination reflects ceiling lights — prefer matte.
- Curved surfaces (bottles, cans) distort the pattern — place the code on the flattest area, or print it smaller along the curve.
- Textured paper can break up fine modules — print slightly larger.
Pre-print checklist
- Width ≥ scan distance ÷ 10
- Dark code, light background
- Quiet zone intact on all four sides
- Dynamic code for anything printed in volume or used long-term
- A short call to action next to it ("Scan for the menu")
- Test-printed on the real material and scanned with two different phones
Ready? Create your QR code and download it as SVG for crisp printing at any size.