Choosing the right QR code size is crucial for successful scanning. Too small, and users will struggle to scan it. Too large, and it might overwhelm your design. This guide helps you calculate the perfect size for any use case.

QR Code Size Guidelines by Use Case

📱 Business Cards

Recommended Size: 2-2.5 cm (0.8-1 inch)

Minimum Size: 2 cm (0.8 inch)

Scanning Distance: 20-25 cm (8-10 inches)

Error Correction: Medium (M) or High (H)

📄 Flyers & Brochures

Recommended Size: 3-4 cm (1.2-1.5 inches)

Minimum Size: 3 cm (1.2 inches)

Scanning Distance: 30-40 cm (12-16 inches)

Error Correction: Medium (M)

🖼️ Posters & Banners

Recommended Size: 5-8 cm (2-3 inches)

Minimum Size: 5 cm (2 inches)

Scanning Distance: 50-80 cm (20-30 inches)

Error Correction: Low (L) or Medium (M)

🏢 Billboards & Large Displays

Recommended Size: 60-150 cm (24-60 inches)

Minimum Size: 60 cm (24 inches)

Scanning Distance: 6-15 meters (20-50 feet)

Error Correction: Low (L)

💻 Digital Displays & Websites

Recommended Size: 200px x 200px

Minimum Size: 150px x 150px

Viewing Distance: 18-24 inches

Error Correction: Medium (M)

QR Code Size Calculator Formula

Basic Calculation:

QR Code Size = Scanning Distance ÷ 10

This is the industry-standard formula used by professional designers and marketers. It ensures your QR code is scannable from the intended scanning distance.

Example Calculations:

Business Card (20cm / 8" scanning distance): 20cm ÷ 10 = 2cm (0.8") minimum
Poster (50cm / 20" scanning distance): 50cm ÷ 10 = 5cm (2") minimum
Billboard (6m / 20' scanning distance): 600cm ÷ 10 = 60cm (24") minimum

Factors That Affect QR Code Size

1. Data Amount

More data = more modules = larger QR code. URL QR codes are typically larger than text QR codes due to the amount of information stored.

2. Error Correction Level

Level	Recovery	Use Case
Low (L)	~7%	Clean environments, large displays
Medium (M)	~15%	General purpose, most common
Quartile (Q)	~25%	Damaged or dirty environments
High (H)	~30%	Maximum error correction

3. Scanning Device Capabilities

Modern smartphones: Can scan smaller QR codes
Older devices: May need larger QR codes
Camera quality: Higher resolution cameras can scan smaller codes

Common QR Code Size Mistakes

❌ Too Small

QR codes that are too small are difficult to scan, especially on mobile devices. This leads to poor user experience and low scan rates.

❌ Too Large

Oversized QR codes waste space and can look unprofessional. They may also overwhelm the design of your marketing materials.

❌ Wrong Aspect Ratio

QR codes must be square. Stretching or compressing them will make them unscannable.

Testing Your QR Code Size

Print Test

Print your QR code at the intended size
Test scanning from the expected viewing distance
Try scanning with different devices (iPhone, Android, tablet)
Test in different lighting conditions

Digital Test

View your QR code on the intended screen size
Test scanning from the expected viewing distance
Check readability on different screen resolutions
Test on both desktop and mobile browsers

Industry-Specific Size Recommendations

Restaurant QR Codes

Table tent cards: 4-5 cm (1.5-2 inches) recommended, 4 cm (1.5") minimum
Window stickers: 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) recommended, 10 cm (4") minimum
Menu inserts: 3-4 cm (1.2-1.5 inches) recommended, 3 cm (1.2") minimum

Real Estate QR Codes

For sale signs: 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) recommended, 10 cm (4") minimum
Property flyers: 3-4 cm (1.2-1.5 inches) recommended, 3 cm (1.2") minimum
Business cards: 2-2.5 cm (0.8-1 inch) recommended, 2 cm (0.8") minimum

Event QR Codes

Name badges: 2 cm (0.8") minimum
Event banners: 15-30 cm (6-12 inches) recommended, 15 cm (6") minimum
Program booklets: 3-4 cm (1.2-1.5 inches) recommended, 3 cm (1.2") minimum

Quick Reference Chart

Use Case	Minimum Size	Recommended Size	Viewing Distance
Business Card	2 cm (0.8")	2-2.5 cm (0.8-1")	20-25 cm (8-10")
Flyer/Brochure	3 cm (1.2")	3-4 cm (1.2-1.5")	30-40 cm (12-16")
Poster	5 cm (2")	5-8 cm (2-3")	50-80 cm (20-30")
Billboard	60 cm (24")	60-150 cm (24-60")	6-15 m (20-50')
Website	150px x 150px	200px x 200px	18-24 inches

💡 Pro Tip

When in doubt, make your QR code slightly larger rather than smaller. It's better to have a QR code that's easy to scan than one that frustrates users.

Ready to Create Perfectly Sized QR Codes?

Use our QR code generator with built-in size recommendations for your specific use case.

Generate QR Code with Perfect Size

QR Code Size Guidelines by Use Case

📱 Business Cards

Recommended Size: 2-2.5 cm (0.8-1 inch)

Minimum Size: 2 cm (0.8 inch)

Scanning Distance: 20-25 cm (8-10 inches)

Error Correction: Medium (M) or High (H)

📄 Flyers & Brochures

Recommended Size: 3-4 cm (1.2-1.5 inches)

Minimum Size: 3 cm (1.2 inches)

Scanning Distance: 30-40 cm (12-16 inches)

Error Correction: Medium (M)

🖼️ Posters & Banners

Recommended Size: 5-8 cm (2-3 inches)

Minimum Size: 5 cm (2 inches)

Scanning Distance: 50-80 cm (20-30 inches)

Error Correction: Low (L) or Medium (M)

🏢 Billboards & Large Displays

Recommended Size: 60-150 cm (24-60 inches)

Minimum Size: 60 cm (24 inches)

Scanning Distance: 6-15 meters (20-50 feet)

Error Correction: Low (L)

💻 Digital Displays & Websites

Recommended Size: 200px x 200px

Minimum Size: 150px x 150px

Viewing Distance: 18-24 inches

Error Correction: Medium (M)

QR Code Size Calculator Formula

Basic Calculation:

QR Code Size = Scanning Distance ÷ 10

This is the industry-standard formula used by professional designers and marketers. It ensures your QR code is scannable from the intended scanning distance.

Example Calculations:

Business Card (20cm / 8" scanning distance): 20cm ÷ 10 = 2cm (0.8") minimum
Poster (50cm / 20" scanning distance): 50cm ÷ 10 = 5cm (2") minimum
Billboard (6m / 20' scanning distance): 600cm ÷ 10 = 60cm (24") minimum

Factors That Affect QR Code Size

1. Data Amount

More data = more modules = larger QR code. URL QR codes are typically larger than text QR codes due to the amount of information stored.

2. Error Correction Level

Level	Recovery	Use Case
Low (L)	~7%	Clean environments, large displays
Medium (M)	~15%	General purpose, most common
Quartile (Q)	~25%	Damaged or dirty environments
High (H)	~30%	Maximum error correction

3. Scanning Device Capabilities

Modern smartphones: Can scan smaller QR codes
Older devices: May need larger QR codes
Camera quality: Higher resolution cameras can scan smaller codes

Common QR Code Size Mistakes

❌ Too Small

QR codes that are too small are difficult to scan, especially on mobile devices. This leads to poor user experience and low scan rates.

❌ Too Large

Oversized QR codes waste space and can look unprofessional. They may also overwhelm the design of your marketing materials.

❌ Wrong Aspect Ratio

QR codes must be square. Stretching or compressing them will make them unscannable.

Testing Your QR Code Size

Print Test

Print your QR code at the intended size
Test scanning from the expected viewing distance
Try scanning with different devices (iPhone, Android, tablet)
Test in different lighting conditions

Digital Test

View your QR code on the intended screen size
Test scanning from the expected viewing distance
Check readability on different screen resolutions
Test on both desktop and mobile browsers

Industry-Specific Size Recommendations

Restaurant QR Codes

Real Estate QR Codes

Event QR Codes

Name badges: 2 cm (0.8") minimum
Event banners: 15-30 cm (6-12 inches) recommended, 15 cm (6") minimum
Program booklets: 3-4 cm (1.2-1.5 inches) recommended, 3 cm (1.2") minimum

Quick Reference Chart

Use Case	Minimum Size	Recommended Size	Viewing Distance
Business Card	2 cm (0.8")	2-2.5 cm (0.8-1")	20-25 cm (8-10")
Flyer/Brochure	3 cm (1.2")	3-4 cm (1.2-1.5")	30-40 cm (12-16")
Poster	5 cm (2")	5-8 cm (2-3")	50-80 cm (20-30")
Billboard	60 cm (24")	60-150 cm (24-60")	6-15 m (20-50')
Website	150px x 150px	200px x 200px	18-24 inches

💡 Pro Tip

When in doubt, make your QR code slightly larger rather than smaller. It's better to have a QR code that's easy to scan than one that frustrates users.

Ready to Create Perfectly Sized QR Codes?

Use our QR code generator with built-in size recommendations for your specific use case.

Generate QR Code with Perfect Size

Free QR Code Size Calculator

QR Code Size Guidelines by Use Case

📱 Business Cards

📄 Flyers & Brochures

🖼️ Posters & Banners

🏢 Billboards & Large Displays

💻 Digital Displays & Websites

QR Code Size Calculator Formula

Basic Calculation:

Example Calculations:

Factors That Affect QR Code Size

1. Data Amount

2. Error Correction Level

3. Scanning Device Capabilities

Common QR Code Size Mistakes

❌ Too Small

❌ Too Large

❌ Wrong Aspect Ratio

Testing Your QR Code Size

Print Test

Digital Test

Industry-Specific Size Recommendations

Restaurant QR Codes

Real Estate QR Codes

Event QR Codes

Quick Reference Chart

💡 Pro Tip

Ready to Create Perfectly Sized QR Codes?

Related Content

QR Code Size Guide

QR Code Best Practices

Best QR Code Generators 2025

Free QR Code Size Calculator

QR Code Size Guidelines by Use Case

📱 Business Cards

📄 Flyers & Brochures

🖼️ Posters & Banners

🏢 Billboards & Large Displays

💻 Digital Displays & Websites

QR Code Size Calculator Formula

Basic Calculation:

Example Calculations:

Factors That Affect QR Code Size

1. Data Amount

2. Error Correction Level

3. Scanning Device Capabilities

Common QR Code Size Mistakes

❌ Too Small

❌ Too Large

❌ Wrong Aspect Ratio

Testing Your QR Code Size

Print Test

Digital Test

Industry-Specific Size Recommendations

Restaurant QR Codes

Real Estate QR Codes

Event QR Codes

Quick Reference Chart

💡 Pro Tip

Ready to Create Perfectly Sized QR Codes?

Related Content

QR Code Size Guide

QR Code Best Practices

Best QR Code Generators 2025