QR code help
How big should a QR code be?
Size depends on how far away people scan from. A common rule of thumb is a code width of about one tenth of the scanning distance, with roughly 2 cm (0.8 in) as a practical floor for handheld close-up scanning. Treat this as a starting point and confirm with a printed proof.
Common causes
- People scan from further away than you planned.
- A long destination makes a dense pattern whose squares are tiny at this size.
- The code sits on a busy background that competes with it.
- The print is low resolution, so small squares blur together.
- Viewers are moving, as with vehicles or signs along a road.
How to fix it
- Measure the real distance: a table card might be 30 cm, a poster 2 m, a shop window 3 m.
- Divide by ten as a first estimate: roughly 3 cm, 20 cm and 30 cm for those examples.
- Add margin if the code is dense, curved, glossy or in dim light.
- Shorten the payload. A managed code encodes a short link, which lets each square print larger at the same overall size.
- Print a proof and test it from the real distance, not at your desk.
How to prevent it
Decide the size from the scanning distance before the design is finalised, not after.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum size?
There is no single legal minimum. Close-range handheld scanning commonly works from about 2 cm, but density, print quality and lighting change that.
Does shortening the URL help?
Yes. Less data means fewer, larger squares at the same overall size, which scans more reliably.