QR code size guide: dimensions for every use
How big should your QR code be? It depends entirely on scan distance. Here’s a practical size chart plus the one rule that covers every situation.
The 10:1 rule
The core guideline: a QR code should be about one-tenth of the distance it will be scanned from. Scanning from 1 metre? Make it about 10 cm. From 5 metres? About 50 cm.
Size chart by use
- Business card / label — 2–2.5 cm (0.8–1 in), scanned from ~20 cm.
- Flyer / brochure — 2.5–3 cm, scanned at arm’s length.
- Product packaging — 2–3 cm, close-up scan; use vector for print.
- Restaurant table tent — 3–5 cm, scanned across a table.
- Poster / A-frame — 8–15 cm, scanned from 1–1.5 m.
- Shop window — 10–20 cm, scanned from the pavement.
- Yard sign / banner — 20–30 cm+, scanned from several metres.
- Billboard — apply the 10:1 rule to the real viewing distance.
Minimum size
Never go below about 2×2 cm, even for close scanning. Smaller than that and phone cameras struggle, especially with denser codes.
Data affects size too
More data means more modules, so each module is smaller at the same physical size. Keep URLs short and, for print, export a vector file so the code is crisp however large you scale it. See best QR code size for print for the deep dive.
Frequently asked questions
What is the smallest a QR code can be?
About 2×2 cm for reliable close-up scanning. Below that, many phone cameras fail, particularly with longer data.
How big for a poster?
Use the 10:1 rule. For a poster scanned from about 1.5 metres, aim for roughly 15 cm across.
Does more data need a bigger code?
Yes. More data adds modules, making each one smaller — so either shorten the data or print the code larger.
Export a crisp, correctly-sized QR code free.