QR Code Size for Printing: Minimum Size, Distance and Resolution
A QR code that is too small or too blurry will frustrate your customers. Here are practical rules for choosing the right print size, whether you are making a business card or a billboard.
The 10:1 distance rule
A common rule of thumb is that the scanning distance should be about ten times the width of the code. A code 3 cm wide scans comfortably from around 30 cm, which suits a handheld flyer. A table sign read from 1 meter should be at least 10 cm wide. A poster read from 3 meters needs roughly 30 cm.
Minimum sizes
For close-range print such as business cards and packaging, many designers use about 2 cm by 2 cm as a practical minimum. Complex codes with long URLs have smaller modules, so they need more space than simple ones. Shortening your link makes the pattern simpler and easier to read at small sizes.
Keep the quiet zone
The QR standard recommends an empty border of four modules around the code. Loqo includes this border by default. Do not crop it, and do not place text or images right against the edge.
Resolution and format
- Use SVG for print. It is vector, so it stays sharp at any size. See SVG vs PNG for QR codes.
- If you use PNG, export at 1024 px or 2048 px and never stretch a small image.
- Avoid glossy glare. Matte finishes scan more reliably than shiny ones under bright lights.
Always test
Print a sample at the real size and scan it with two or three different phones from the real distance before ordering a large batch. If it fails, read why a QR code is not scanning.
Related guides
- WhatsApp QR Code Generator: Start Chats With One Scan (Free)
- Static vs Dynamic QR Codes: Which One Do You Need?
- QR Code Error Correction Levels Explained (L, M, Q, H)
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