Calculate your print size
Examples
- Business card (scanned from 25 cm): about 2.5 cm wide.
- Shop counter UPI standee (scanned from 40 cm): about 4 cm wide, make it 5-6 cm for a comfortable scan.
- Poster (scanned from 2 m): about 20 cm wide.
- Billboard or window (scanned from 5 m): about 50 cm wide.
Always test-scan the real printed QR with an older phone in normal light before printing in bulk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big should a QR code be?
A common rule is the 10:1 rule: the QR width should be at least one tenth of the scanning distance. A QR scanned from 100 cm away should be about 10 cm wide.
Why do some QR codes need to be bigger?
QR codes holding more data (long links, contacts, events, images) have smaller squares, so they need extra size to scan at the same distance.
What is the quiet zone?
It is the blank margin around the QR. Keep at least 4 modules (small squares) of empty space on every side, or scanners may miss the code.
What is the smallest size I should print?
For close-range scans such as business cards, 2 cm is a practical minimum for simple QR codes. Always test-scan the printed copy.