QR Code Size for Print Distance Chart
The fastest way to reduce scan failures is matching QR size to expected scan distance. If people scan from farther away, modules need to be physically larger so phone cameras can resolve pattern detail quickly.
Quick chart: minimum starting sizes
| Typical scan distance | Recommended QR width | Best use cases |
|---|---|---|
| 10 to 30 cm (4 to 12 in) | 2 to 2.5 cm (0.8 to 1 in) | Business cards, product inserts |
| 30 to 75 cm (1 to 2.5 ft) | 3 to 5 cm (1.2 to 2 in) | Table tents, countertop signs |
| 1 to 2 m (3 to 6.5 ft) | 8 to 12 cm (3 to 5 in) | Posters, door signs |
| 2 to 5 m (6.5 to 16 ft) | 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in) | Retail windows, event walls |
These are practical starting points for standard URL payloads. Longer data payloads, logo overlays, and low-contrast colors require larger codes.
How to apply this chart safely
- Generate at final size first, then export. Avoid upscaling a tiny PNG in design software.
- Keep a quiet zone of at least four modules around all edges.
- Run a multi-device test in the actual lighting and angle where the code will be used.
Where to go next
- Create a print-ready code in the main QR generator.
- Validate encoded content and destination behavior with the scan and inspect tool.
- Need quick answers about print failures and margin issues? Open the FAQ.