QR Code Size Calculator
Find out how big to print your QR code so it scans from where people will stand.
Print it at least
10 cm
4 in wide. Rule: 1 cm of code for every 10 cm of distance.
Enter a distance between 0.1 and 100 metres.
Scans reliably from up to 0.5 m.
| Where | Scanned from | Minimum width |
|---|---|---|
| Business card | 25 cm | 2.5 cm |
| Flyer or menu | 40 cm | 4 cm |
| Table tent | 60 cm | 6 cm |
| A3 poster | 1.5 m | 15 cm |
| Banner or window | 3 m | 30 cm |
| Billboard | 10 m | 100 cm |
A QR code that's too small for its distance is the most common reason printed codes fail. A code on a poster across the room needs to be far bigger than one on a business card held in your hand.
The rule of thumb is simple: the code's width should be at least a tenth of the scanning distance. Scanned from 2 metres away, print it at least 20 cm wide. Codes with a lot of content (long links, contact cards) have more, smaller dots, so they also need extra size up close.
Everything is calculated in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
How to use the QR code size calculator tool
Enter the scanning distance
How far from the code will people usually stand?
Paste the content (optional)
Long links and contact cards make denser codes that need more size.
Print at least that size
Bigger is always safer. Test-scan a printed sample first.
Tips
- Use a short or dynamic link to make the code less dense, so it can be printed smaller.
- Keep a clear margin (quiet zone) around the code, at least the width of four dots.
- Glossy or curved surfaces reflect light: go a size up.
Frequently asked questions
What's the smallest a QR code can be?
About 2 cm × 2 cm for a short link scanned from close up, such as on a business card. Below that, many phone cameras struggle.
How big should a QR code be on a poster?
An A3 poster read from about 1.5 metres needs a code at least 15 cm wide. Across a room or a shop window, go to 30 cm or more.
Does a logo change the size I need?
Not much. A logo is offset by stronger error correction, but don't let it cover more than about a quarter of the code.
Why is my code so dense?
More characters means more, smaller dots. A dynamic QR code holds only a short link, so the pattern stays simple whatever the destination.
Related tools
Share it with a QR code
Put your file online (Google Drive, Dropbox or your website), then make a QR code for the link. People can scan it from a poster, menu or business card.