QR code size for print
The minimum size a QR code needs to scan reliably, how it scales with distance, and the resolution to export for business cards, flyers, posters and billboards.
Two numbers decide whether a printed QR code works: how big it is, and how far away the person is standing. Everything else is detail.
The 10:1 rule
Scanning distance is roughly ten times the width of the code. So a code 3 cm wide reads from about 30 cm; one 30 cm wide reads from about 3 m.
Work backwards from where people will actually be. On a table, that is arm's length. On a wall behind a counter, it might be two metres. On a bus shelter, five.
Size by placement
| Placement | Read from | Minimum code size | Comfortable size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business card | 15–20 cm | 2 cm | 2.5 cm |
| Menu, table tent | 30 cm | 3 cm | 4 cm |
| Flyer, leaflet | 30–40 cm | 3 cm | 4 cm |
| Product packaging | 20–30 cm | 2 cm | 3 cm |
| Poster (A3) | 1–1.5 m | 10 cm | 15 cm |
| Shop window | 2 m | 20 cm | 25 cm |
| Trade-show banner | 3 m | 30 cm | 40 cm |
| Billboard | 10 m+ | 1 m | 1.5 m |
Use the comfortable column when you can. The minimum assumes good contrast, good print and decent light; the comfortable size survives real conditions.
Resolution and export
Print wants 300 DPI at final size. To get the pixel dimensions:
pixels = size in inches x 300So a 4 cm code (about 1.6 inches) wants roughly 480 x 480 pixels. A 15 cm poster code wants about 1770 x 1770.
Two rules that matter more than the arithmetic:
- Never scale up. Enlarging a small PNG gives soft edges that scanners struggle with. Export at the size you need.
- Give the printer clean edges. Avoid re-saving through tools that add compression artefacts.
Quiet zone
Leave clear space around the code — at least four modules, which is roughly 10% of the code's width on each side. No text, no border, no artwork inside that margin. This is one of the most common causes of a code that scans on screen but not in print.
Keep the URL short
The longer the encoded URL, the more modules the code needs, and the smaller each module becomes at a given physical size. A long address with campaign parameters can easily double the density.
Encoding a short link instead keeps the pattern open and readable, and gives you the option to change the destination later. See Dynamic vs static QR codes.
Before it goes to the printer
Print one at final size on the actual stock if you can, and scan it from the real distance with two different phones. A test page costs nothing next to a reprint.
Frequently asked questions
What is the smallest a QR code can be?
About 2 x 2 cm is the practical floor for a code held in the hand. Below that, print tolerance and camera focus start to matter more than the design.
What DPI should a QR code be printed at?
300 DPI at final size. Export the PNG at the pixel dimensions that produce 300 DPI rather than scaling a smaller file up.
Does a longer URL need a bigger QR code?
Yes. A longer URL means more modules in the same area, so each one is smaller. This is a good reason to encode a short link instead.
Last updated 2026-08-24