QR codes · 3 min read

QR code size guide for print

Scan failures usually come from codes that are too small, too low contrast, or printed with busy artwork touching the quiet zone. Here is a simple sizing baseline.

Updated May 12, 2026. Written by Kodotools, a free browser-only tools project. This guide links to tools that run locally in your browser with no signup and no file uploads.

Rule of thumb: distance ≈ 10× width

If someone scans from roughly 30 cm away, aim for at least about 3 cm QR width. Bigger distances need bigger codes.

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Starting sizes

Business card: about 2–2.5 cm
Flyer / counter card: about 3–4 cm
Poster or shop window: 5 cm+ (often much larger)

Export pixels

For digital screens, medium export sizes are usually fine. For print, export larger (for example 1024 px or 2048 px in Kodotools) so the printer does not upscale a blurry PNG.

Quiet zone

Leave empty margin around the QR. Decorative borders that touch the modules slow detection — especially under poor lighting.

Quick sizing table

Use case	Minimum	Better
Business card	2 cm	2.5-3 cm
Flyer	3 cm	4-5 cm
Poster	5 cm	8 cm+

Test before printing

Print one sample at real size, scan it from the expected distance, and test under indoor and outdoor light. If it takes more than a second or two, increase size or simplify the design.

QR · 4 min read