The 10:1 distance rule
For reliable scanning, make the code roughly 1/10 of the distance people scan from. Scanning from 10 inches away? ~1 inch code. From 10 feet (a poster)? ~1 foot code. Err larger — a bigger code always scans easier.
Recommended sizes by use
- Business card — 0.4–0.8 in (1–2 cm), scanned up close
- Flyer / menu / product label — 0.8–1.2 in (2–3 cm)
- Poster / window — 2–4 in (5–10 cm)
- Billboard / building — scale to ~1/10 of viewing distance
Also affects scannability
- Keep the quiet zone (the white margin) — don't crop to the edge
- High contrast: dark code on a light background
- Use vector SVG so large prints don't blur
- More data = a denser code = print it larger
Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum size for a QR code?
About 0.8 inches (2 cm) is the practical minimum for a phone to scan comfortably. Smaller can work up close, but bigger is always safer.
Does a bigger QR code scan better?
Yes — larger codes scan from farther away and are more forgiving of angle, lighting, and print quality. When in doubt, size up.
Why won't my small QR code scan?
Usually it's too small for the distance, has too little contrast, or lost its white margin. Enlarge it, keep the quiet zone, and use dark-on-light.
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