How big should your QR code be?
Get a safe starting size for a business card, flyer, table tent, window sign, or poster. Then test the real code at its final printed size.
This calculator gives you a safe floor
A QR code needs enough physical space for a phone camera to separate its tiny squares. The usual field rule is simple: make the code at least one-tenth of the expected scan distance. A code scanned from 24 inches away should start around 2.4 inches square.
Three things the calculator cannot see
1. Your exact QR code
A short website address is simple. A long URL, Wi-Fi password, or contact card can make a denser pattern. If you are unsure, choose the denser option and use the larger recommendation.
2. Contrast and the quiet zone
Use dark squares on a plain light background. Leave an empty border around the code. Do not put it against a photo, a busy pattern, or a fold in the paper. Read our QR color guide for the combinations that work.
3. The real print job
Always scan the printed proof with more than one phone. Test it in normal light, at the distance your customer will use, before you approve cards, signs, labels, or menus.
A quick print-proof checklist
- Make the final QR code, not a placeholder.
- Print it at the recommended size or larger.
- Keep the required white border. Do not crop it.
- Scan it on at least two phones.
- Check that the destination opens without a login wall or broken link.
Frequently asked questions
What is the smallest QR code I can print?
For close-up use, such as a business card, start around 0.8 inches (20 mm) square for a simple code. Use more space for dense data, a logo, low-quality printing, or a scan from farther away.
How much blank space does a QR code need?
Leave a clear, light border on every side. QR codes use a “quiet zone” that is part of the code's readable area. Never let text, a border, an image, or a trim line touch the squares.
Does a logo mean I need a larger QR code?
Usually, yes. A logo covers part of the pattern and makes the remaining squares work harder. Keep the logo small and give the QR code more physical space. See how large a QR logo can safely be.
Should I use SVG or PNG for print?
Use SVG when your printer or designer accepts it. SVG stays sharp at any size. PNG can work, but it needs enough pixels for the final physical size.