The minimum QR code size for print is about 2 × 2 cm (0.8 × 0.8 in), for close-range scanning like a business card. For anything further away, size the code to roughly a tenth of its scan distance — a code scanned from a meter away needs to be at least 10 cm across. Below: a sizing chart, the resolution you need, and how to print a QR code that scans.
The rule of thumb
Divide the expected scan distance by ten to get a safe minimum size. This holds up well across most modern smartphone cameras and gives comfortable margin — err larger rather than smaller if you're between two sizes.
| Context | Scan distance | Minimum code size |
|---|---|---|
| Business card | ~20-30 cm (8-12 in) | ~2 cm (0.8 in) |
| Table tent / menu | ~50 cm (20 in) | ~4-5 cm (1.6-2 in) |
| Poster / flyer | ~1-2 m (3-6 ft) | ~10-20 cm (4-8 in) |
| Storefront window | ~3-5 m (10-16 ft) | ~30-50 cm (12-20 in) |
| Billboard / large signage | ~15-50 m (50-160 ft) | ~1.5-5 m (5-16 ft) |
Why size matters more than most people expect
- Too small is the far more common failure. People rarely print codes too large; the near-universal mistake is sizing for a close-range template and then using it somewhere the scan distance is much greater.
- Distance changes with context, not intent. A poster designed to be seen from across a room needs a size that matches that reality, not the size that looked fine on a laptop screen while designing it.
What resolution do you need?
Size is only half of it — the file has to be sharp at that size. Print needs about 300 DPI: multiply the printed width in inches by 300 to get the pixels your PNG needs.
| Printed QR code size | PNG resolution needed (300 DPI) |
|---|---|
| 2 cm (0.8 in) — business card | ~240 px |
| 5 cm (2 in) — table tent | ~600 px |
| 10 cm (4 in) — flyer | ~1,200 px |
| 20 cm (8 in) — poster | ~2,400 px |
| 27 cm (10.7 in) | ~3,200 px — the largest PNG Capy QR exports |
| Anything bigger | Use SVG (vector) |
Or skip the math: export SVG, which is vector and stays sharp at any size. See PNG vs SVG vs PDF for when to use each.
How to print a QR code
- Export the right file. SVG for anything large or resized; otherwise a PNG at the resolution in the table above. Never a screenshot.
- Keep the quiet zone.Leave a blank margin of at least four modules (the small squares) around the code — don't let text or artwork touch it.
- Print dark on light, with strong contrast. Avoid light colors on white and busy backgrounds behind the code.
- Prefer matte finishes. Glossy laminate and shiny stickers reflect light and make codes harder to scan — see QR code stickers for materials that scan well.
- Don't let the printer "fit to page" a small PNG. Scaling up a low-resolution file at print time is how sharp codes turn blurry.
Low-resolution QR codes: why they fail to scan
A low-resolution QR code has soft, blurry edges between modules. Phone cameras decode those edges, so blur makes the code read as noise — especially at small sizes or from a distance. Error correction recovers some damage, but not a whole code's worth of blur. If a printed code looks fuzzy up close, re-export it at a higher resolution or as SVG rather than printing it anyway — more in blurry QR codes.
How to verify before a full print run
- Print a proof at the actual intended size and material.
- Stand at the realistic scan distance and test with two different phones — not just up close on your desk.
- If it's borderline, size up — there's no downside to a code being larger than strictly necessary.
See why your QR code won't scan for the other common causes of scan failure beyond size.
Build yours in the editor → capyqr.com
A code, correctly sized
Here's a Capy QR — export at whatever size your scan distance calls for, as vector so quality never degrades:
Frequently asked questions
- How big should a printed QR code be?
- As a rule of thumb, the code should be at least a tenth of the intended scan distance — a code meant to be scanned from 1 meter away should be at least 10 cm on a side. Always test the actual printed size before a full run.
- Where does the 'one-tenth of scan distance' rule come from?
- It's a practical approximation based on typical smartphone camera focus range and module resolution — not an exact physics formula, but a reliable starting point that holds up well in real-world testing across most phones.
- What is the minimum size for a QR code?
- About 2 × 2 cm (0.8 × 0.8 in) for close-range scanning, like a business card. Below that, module density and camera focus limits cause reliability issues on many phones. For anything scanned from further away, use the one-tenth-of-distance rule.
- What is the smallest QR code size that still scans?
- Codes around 1-1.5 cm can scan with short URLs, low error correction, crisp printing, and a phone held very close — but they're unreliable. Treat 2 cm as the practical minimum, and keep the encoded link short (a dynamic QR helps) so the modules stay large.
- What resolution should a QR code be for printing?
- At least 300 DPI at the printed size: multiply the size in inches by 300. A 4-inch (10 cm) code needs about 1,200 px. Or skip the math and export SVG, which is vector and sharp at any size.
- Does adding a logo change the size I need?
- Yes — a logo uses part of the code's error-correction budget, which can mean sizing up slightly to keep individual modules easily distinguishable, especially at the smaller end of the size range.
- Can a QR code be too big?
- Not functionally — there's no upper size limit that hurts scanning. An oversized code just looks impractical or takes up more space than needed; the real risk is always being too small, not too large.
Bottom line: 2 cm minimum, a tenth of the scan distance as a rule, 300 DPI or SVG for the file — and always test the actual print. Ready to make one? Open the editor or browse more QR guides.