QR code size calculator: how big to print

Enter how far away people will scan your QR code. The calculator suggests a minimum printed width using the common rule of thumb (scanning distance ÷ 10), adjusted for how much data the code holds.

Calculator

How far the phone will be from the code when people scan it.

About 25 for a short link, 40–70 for Wi-Fi, 150–300 for a contact card. Leave 50 if unsure.

Recommended minimum size

Print the code at least 3 cm (1.2 in) wide.

    How the calculation works

    1. Distance ÷ 10. A common rule of thumb for phone cameras: a code scanned from 1 m should be about 10 cm wide. It is a starting point, not a guarantee and not part of the QR code standard.
    2. Data density. The calculator works out how many modules your content needs at the chosen error-correction level. Up to 33 × 33 modules (a typical short link) it uses the rule as is. Denser codes are scaled up in proportion, so each module stays as large as in a typical code.
    3. Difficult conditions. If you tick the box, 25% is added for low contrast, coloured codes, glossy or curved surfaces and poor light.
    4. Minimums. The result is never below 2 cm (0.8 in), and each module is at least 0.5 mm so it prints cleanly. The result is rounded up to the next half centimetre.
    5. Quiet zone. The width is for the code itself. Leave a blank margin of 4 modules on every side, as the QR code standard requires; the calculator shows how many millimetres that is.

    Ready to make the code? The generator runs the same distance check: enter your print width and scanning distance under Design and size.

    Quick size chart

    Minimum width for a short link (33 × 33 modules or less), dark on light, good lighting
    Where the code isTypical scanning distanceMinimum width
    Business card or product label, held in the hand25 cm2.5 cm (1 in)
    Table tent or printed menu40 cm4 cm (1.6 in)
    Flyer or counter sign1 m10 cm (4 in)
    Poster on a wall2 m20 cm (7.9 in)
    Shop window, read from the pavement3 m30 cm (11.9 in)
    Banner across a hall10 m1 m (39.4 in)

    Rule of thumb only. Add margin for dense codes, low contrast or awkward surfaces, and test a printed copy.

    Print and test

    • Print at least 2 cm (0.8 in) wide for codes scanned at arm's length. A common rule of thumb: width ≈ scanning distance ÷ 10. A poster read from 2 m needs about 20 cm.
    • Keep the blank quiet zone (4 modules) around the code. Do not let borders, text or photos touch it.
    • Use dark modules on a light background with strong contrast. Avoid glossy laminates that cause glare under shop lights.
    • Use the SVG or PDF download for print shops; they stay sharp at any size.
    • Test the printed proof, not the screen: try at least one iPhone and one Android phone, at the real distance and in the real lighting, before printing the full run.

    Frequently asked questions

    What size should a QR code be?

    For a phone scanning at a normal distance, a common rule of thumb is width ≈ scanning distance ÷ 10, and no smaller than about 2 cm (0.8 in). A code read from 30 cm needs about 3 cm; one read from 3 m needs about 30 cm. Codes holding a lot of data need more.

    Is the 10:1 rule an official standard?

    No. It is a widely used rule of thumb, not part of the QR code standard (ISO/IEC 18004). The standard does define the quiet zone, the blank margin 4 modules wide around the code. Real results depend on the phone, the camera app, the lighting, the print quality and the surface.

    Why does more data need a bigger code?

    More characters mean more modules (the small squares). At the same printed width each module gets smaller, so the phone has to be closer or the code has to be bigger. Shorter links make simpler codes that can be printed smaller.

    How many characters is my code?

    Count the text that gets encoded. A short link such as https://example.com/menu is about 25 characters. A Wi-Fi code is the network name and password plus about 20 characters. A contact card is often 150 to 300. Every generator on this site shows the exact content under Show encoded content.

    Does error correction change the size?

    Yes. Higher levels (Q and H) add redundancy so a scratched or partly covered code still scans, but they also add modules. The calculator takes the level into account.

    Is anything I type sent anywhere?

    No. The calculation runs in your browser. The page makes no network requests and has no analytics or tracking scripts.

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