Question
Clearly sourced
Expert knowledge for digital decisions
How large should a QR code be printed?
Short answer
As a rule of thumb: the width of the code should be approximately one tenth of the reading distance. At 30 centimeters distance, this would be about 3 centimeters, at 3 meters about 30 centimeters. In addition, a bright border of four module widths is required – without it, many readers will not recognize the code.
The Rule of Thumb
Code width ≈ Reading distance ÷ 10
| Application | Distance | Recommended Width |
|---|---|---|
| Business card, flyer | 20–30 cm | 2–3 cm |
| Table stand | 50 cm | 5 cm |
| Poster at eye level | 1.5 m | 15 cm |
| Large poster | 3–5 m | 30–50 cm |
The border is often forgotten
A bright area of at least four module widths (one module is one of the small squares) should surround the code. Without this margin, a reader may not recognize the code's boundary. In practice, more codes fail due to missing borders than due to incorrect size.
Additional pitfalls
- Insufficient contrast. Dark on light, not the other way around. Many readers have trouble with inverted codes.
- Color gradients in the code. May look visually appealing, but significantly reduce readability.
- Shiny materials. Reflections make the code unusable under artificial light – use matte finish.
- Too long an address. More characters mean finer patterns. A dynamic code circumvents this issue.
Before printing
Always test a proof print in original size and material with at least three different devices. A code that works on screen may fail on matte recycled paper.
Key facts
- Rule of Thumb
- Code width ≈ reading distance divided by 10
- Margin area
- at least 4 module widths of bright border
- Most common error
- missing bright border
Sources
All external claims are backed by traceable sources.-
01
QR Code Standardization DENSO WAVE
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02
Point for determining the QR Code area DENSO WAVE