QR Codes
QR code size and printing guide
Reviewed by the Tabreon team · Last updated: September 2026
Quick answer
As a rule of thumb, a QR code should be at least one-tenth the scanning distance — a code scanned from 3 feet away should be at least 3.6 inches (about 9 cm) per side.
Why this matters
A QR code that's too small, low-contrast, or too dense for its print size simply won't scan — a frustrating dead end for whoever is trying to use it.
Definition
Scannability depends on the relationship between print size, scan distance, and how much data the code encodes (which determines how many modules/squares it's divided into). More data means a denser grid, which needs to be printed larger to stay readable at the same distance.
How it works
A phone camera needs enough resolution to distinguish each individual module (square) in the grid at the distance it's held. Denser codes (more data) have smaller modules for the same print size, so they need to be printed larger, viewed from closer, or simplified (e.g. a shorter URL) to remain reliably scannable.
Step by step
- 1Estimate scan distance. Decide how far away people will typically be when scanning — a poster viewed from across a room vs. a flyer held in hand.
- 2Apply the 10:1 rule. Divide the scan distance by 10 to get a minimum print size.
- 3Account for data density. If encoding a long URL or lots of text, increase the size further, or shorten the content first.
- 4Test before printing at scale. Print a sample at the final size and test with multiple phone models.
Common mistakes
- Shrinking a QR code to fit a business card without testing that it still scans at arm's length.
- Using a long, un-shortened URL, which increases code density unnecessarily.
- Printing on a glossy or textured surface that causes glare and hides the contrast the scanner needs.
Best practices
- Keep a blank "quiet zone" margin around the code at least as wide as 4 modules.
- Use a shortened URL to keep the encoded data — and therefore the grid — as simple as possible.
- Prefer high-contrast colors: dark modules on a light background.