QR code cheat sheet: one page, print-ready
Tape this next to your printer. One A4 page holds the size table, the quiet-zone rule, and the contrast rules you need before any print run — no second page, no hunting through guides.
Most printed QR codes fail for boring, preventable reasons: printed too small for the distance, the quiet zone cropped by a layout, or contrast too weak to scan in dim light. This sheet collects the three checks that catch those failures, on a single A4 page you can keep by the printer.
The size table uses the distance ÷ 10 rule of thumb: the code's size should be at least one-tenth of the scanning distance. Sizes below are for the code itself — the quiet zone goes on top, so the finished footprint is larger. For the full reasoning and edge cases, see the QR code print size guide. If a printed code still will not scan, work through the QR code troubleshooting guide before reprinting, and run the pre-print checklist on any large run.
QR Code Cheat Sheet — Size, Quiet Zone & Contrast
Rule of thumb: code size ≥ scanning distance ÷ 10. Sizes are for the code itself; add the quiet zone on top.
| Where it is scanned | Typical distance | Minimum code size | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business card, receipt, ticket | 20–30 cm, in the hand | 2 × 2 cm | Keep clear of the card edge; thermal print blurs fine detail. |
| Flyer, menu, table tent | 30–50 cm, arm's / seat length | 3–5 cm | Dim light and distance — size up for table tents. |
| Poster on a wall (A3/A2) | 1–1.5 m | 10–15 cm | Check the real viewing distance in the room. |
| Shop window, noticeboard | 2–3 m | 20–30 cm | Glass glare — test from outside, not inside. |
| Outdoor sign, banner | 5 m and more | 50 cm and more | Ask if people will really scan from that far. |
| Code with a logo in the middle | As the plain version, or closer | 3 × 3 cm minimum | Keep the logo under about 30% of the code area. |
Quiet zone — the margin is part of the code
- Leave at least 4 modules of clear, light margin on all four sides, in the same light color as the code background.
- Never let text, borders, or a tight crop run into the margin — a cropped quiet zone stops the scan.
- A 2 cm code with its quiet zone needs more than 2 cm of clear space. Size the layout slot, not just the code.
- Never stretch the code: scaling must keep squares square, or phones cannot read the grid.
Contrast rules
- Dark code on a light background. Inverted (light-on-dark) codes often fail — avoid them in print.
- If two colors look close on screen, they will be worse in print. When in doubt, use black on white.
- Gloss laminate and glass both glare: test the finished, laminated print under real light.
- Print proof first: one copy, real paper, real distance, real phone — before the full run.
Before you print — 60-second check
- Size ≥ distance ÷ 10 for where it will actually be scanned?
- Quiet zone of 4 modules intact on all sides?
- Exported as SVG, or PNG at 300 DPI at final size?
- Short destination behind the code, so the pattern stays simple?
- Proof scanned first time, in the real light, from the real distance?
Test your code here
Stick a print of your code in the box, then scan it from the distance it will be used at.
Your QR code here
25 × 25 mm
One rule covers most failures: print one proof on the real paper, scan it from the real distance, in the real light — then print the run.
Sources
- QR Code Print Size Guide - FreeQrly's own size table: distance ÷ 10 rule, 4-module quiet zone, 2 cm print minimum.
- A4 paper size 210 × 297 mm - International paper size standard.
Try it yourself — free
Everything in this article works in the FreeQrly studio right now. Static codes, all 17 content types, PNG and SVG export.
Open the studioGood to know
Does this really fit on one A4 page?
Yes — the sheet is laid out for A4 with tightened margins and compact type (about 10–11 pt). Print at 100% scale, not "fit to page," and check in the print preview that it stays on one page before printing.
Can I print it in black and white?
Yes. The green header and yellow note print as grey on a monochrome printer and nothing essential depends on color. The rules themselves — size, quiet zone, contrast — are what matter.
What is a "module" in the quiet-zone rule?
One square of the code's grid. The quiet zone must be at least 4 such squares wide on every side, in the same light color as the code's background. On a small code the modules are tiny, which is why the margin looks small but still matters.
The table says 2 × 2 cm for a business card. Is that an absolute minimum?
Treat 2 cm as the floor for print, not a target: it assumes a clean print, good contrast, and a short destination. Dense codes, textured stock, or poor light all argue for sizing up.
My code will be scanned from farther away than the table lists. What do I do?
Apply the distance ÷ 10 rule directly: divide the real scanning distance by 10 and print at least that large. If the result is impractically big, move the code closer to where people walk instead of making a giant sign.
Can I scale this sheet down to A5?
You can, but the type will drop below comfortable reading size. If you need a smaller sheet, print it at A4 and cut, or keep it posted by the printer at full size.