QR Code Size Calculator
Printing a QR code too small is the most common reason a campaign fails. This free calculator turns a scanning distance and the amount of encoded data into a minimum print size, a recommended size with margin for poor lighting, the quiet zone to leave clear on every side, and the pixel dimensions needed for a 300 dpi print file.
How the calculation works
It starts from the 10:1 rule used across the print industry: a QR code is reliably readable when its width is roughly one tenth of the distance between the code and the camera. That assumes modest data, so the result scales up for longer content, because more modules in the same square means each module gets smaller than a phone camera can resolve. A further margin is added for dim light, motion, angled scanning, and textured or glossy stock.
Typical scanning distances
- Business card or product label: about 30 cm
- Flyer held in the hand: about 40 cm
- Table tent or menu card: about 60 cm
- Wall poster: about 1.5 m
- Shop window: about 3 m
- Trade-show banner: about 5 m
- Billboard: 20 m and beyond
Ways to make a code smaller
- Encode a short dynamic redirect instead of a long URL
- Move tracking parameters out of the encoded link and onto the redirect
- Use error correction level M rather than H when there is no logo overlay
- Trim vCards to one phone number and one email address
Frequently asked questions
How big should a QR code be?
About one tenth of the scanning distance. A code read from 30 cm needs roughly 3 cm; a code read from 3 metres needs roughly 30 cm.
What is the minimum QR code size?
Around 2 x 2 cm for a handheld scan. Below that, phone cameras struggle to resolve individual modules, especially with a long URL.
Does more encoded data mean a bigger code?
Yes. More data means more modules in the same square, so long URLs, vCards, and high error correction all require a larger print size.
Do I include the quiet zone in the size?
No. The calculated size is the code itself; add a clear margin of about four modules on every side.
liveqr.codes is a free QR code generator. Static codes are free and unlimited with no signup; a one-time $1.99 lifetime upgrade adds unlimited dynamic codes with editable destinations and scan analytics. Download every code as a high-resolution PNG or vector SVG.