QR Code Size Guide: The Right Dimensions for Every Use Case
Size is one of the most overlooked factors in QR code success. Get it wrong — too small and scanners fail, too large and it dominates the design. Here are the exact dimensions for every situation.
The Golden Rule: Scanning Distance ÷ 10
A reliable rule of thumb: your QR code should be at least 1/10th the distance at which it will be scanned. If someone will scan from 1 metre away, the QR code must be at least 10 cm × 10 cm. For a table tent scanned from 30 cm, 3 cm × 3 cm is the minimum.
This rule applies to print. For digital screens, the relationship between pixels and scan distance is handled by screen resolution and the camera's zoom capability — as a baseline, never go below 150×150 px.
Quick Reference Size Table
| Use case | Minimum | Recommended | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business card | 1.5 cm × 1.5 cm | 2 cm × 2 cm | SVG / PNG 500px |
| Flyer / Leaflet | 2 cm × 2 cm | 3–4 cm × 3–4 cm | SVG |
| Poster (A3+) | 3 cm × 3 cm | 5–8 cm × 5–8 cm | SVG |
| Product packaging | 1.5 cm × 1.5 cm | 2.5 cm × 2.5 cm | SVG |
| Outdoor billboard | 10 cm × 10 cm | 20+ cm × 20+ cm | SVG |
| Website / email | 150 px × 150 px | 300 px × 300 px | PNG / SVG |
| Digital signage | 200 px × 200 px | 400–600 px × 400–600 px | PNG |
| Presentation slide | 150 px × 150 px | 250 px × 250 px | SVG / PNG |
SVG vs PNG: Which Format to Choose
SVG (vector) is the best choice for anything that will be printed. It scales infinitely without any loss of quality — whether you print at 2 cm or 2 metres. Most professional print shops require vector files.
PNG (raster) is fine for digital use — websites, email campaigns, social media, and presentations. For print, always export at the highest resolution available (at least 300 DPI), or use SVG instead.
Quiet Zone: The Essential White Border
Every QR code needs a quiet zone— a blank white margin around all four sides. The standard minimum is 4 QR modules wide. Skipping the quiet zone is one of the most common reasons QR codes fail to scan. QRGen adds the correct quiet zone automatically; just make sure you don't crop it when placing the QR code in your design.
Error Correction and Logo Size
QR codes have four error correction levels: L (7%), M (15%), Q (25%), and H (30%). If you add a logo to your QR code, use level H — it allows up to 30% of the code to be obscured while still scanning correctly. Keep your logo to a maximum of 25–30% of the total QR code area.
Generate a print-ready QR code
Download as SVG for perfect quality at any size. Free, no account required.
Open QR Generator