How big should a printed QR code be?
The short answer: at least 2x2 cm, at 300 dpi, with a clear margin. The longer answer — with the distance rule printers actually use — is below.
The two rules that matter
Rule 1 — minimum size: 2 x 2 cm (0.8 x 0.8 in). Below that, phone cameras can't resolve the modules reliably, especially codes holding a lot of data like vCards.
Rule 2 — the 1:10 distance ratio: the code's width should be at least one-tenth of the scanning distance. Scanning from 50 cm (a table card)? 5 cm code. From 5 meters (a poster)? 50 cm code. Printers and signage folks live by this ratio.
Cheat sheet by use case
Business cards: 2x2 cm minimum — see the business card generator. Keep it clear of the card edge.
Flyers & menus: 3x3 cm. People scan these at arm's length.
Table tents: 4–5 cm, so guests scan from their seats.
Posters: use the 1:10 ratio against expected viewing distance.
Packaging: 2x2 cm minimum, and avoid curved surfaces that distort the pattern.
Resolution: export big
Print needs 300 dpi. A 2 cm code at 300 dpi is only ~240 px — but always export larger and let the designer scale down: PNG at 1024 or 2048 px, or SVG which is infinitely scalable and the best choice for professional print. FreeQrly exports both, free.
Don't forget the quiet zone
Leave a blank margin around the code at least 4 modules wide on every side. Crowding it with text or graphics is one of the top reasons codes fail — more in why your code won't scan.
Logo in the middle? Go bigger
A logo in the center eats into the pattern, so give it room: 3x3 cm minimum in print, and keep the logo under ~30% of the code's area.
Try it yourself — free, no sign-up
Everything in this article works in the FreeQrly studio right now. Static codes, eight content types, PNG and SVG export.
Open the studioGood to know
What is the minimum size for a printed QR code?
2 x 2 cm (0.8 x 0.8 inches). Smaller codes fail on many phones, especially for data-heavy codes like vCards.
How big should a QR code be on a poster?
Use the 1:10 rule: the code width should be at least one-tenth of the expected scanning distance. A poster scanned from 5 meters needs a 50 cm code.
PNG or SVG for print?
SVG is best — it scales infinitely with no quality loss. If your printer needs raster, export PNG at 2048 px.