QR Code Size Calculator
Work out how big to print your QR code so it scans reliably from a given distance, and the pixel size you need for a sharp print. Based on the widely used 10:1 distance-to-size rule.
Size from scan distance
Print resolution (pixels)
Tip: always leave a clear "quiet zone" (blank margin) of about 4 modules around the code, and keep strong contrast between the code and its background.
How the QR code size rule works
1
The 10:1 rule
A QR code can be read from about 10 times its width. So a 10 cm code scans well from around 1 metre away.
2
Size up for distance
The further away people scan from - a poster, a window, a billboard - the bigger the code needs to be.
3
Print it sharp
Export enough pixels for your print size. At 300 DPI you need about 118 pixels per centimetre.
Make the code, then size it
Use our free generators to create the code, then come back here to size it for print. The QR Scanner App also scans tricky codes from a distance with edge detection and magnified cropping. Basic scanning is free, with extra features as a fair one-time payment (no subscription).
QR Code Size FAQ
A common guideline is the 10:1 rule: the maximum scan distance is about ten times the width of the code. So for scanning from 1 metre, make the code at least 10 cm wide. Bigger is safer, especially in poor light.
Business cards are scanned from close up, so about 2 to 3 cm is usually enough. Keep a clear margin around the code and avoid placing it right at the edge of the card.
The quiet zone is the blank margin around a QR code. It should be about four modules (four "dots") wide on all sides so scanners can pick out the code. Crowding it with other graphics can stop it scanning.
For sharp print, aim for 300 DPI, which is about 118 pixels per centimetre. A 5 cm code therefore needs roughly 590 x 590 pixels. Use the calculator above to get the exact number for your size.