What is the minimum size for a QR code on a business card?

A minimum of 0.8 in × 0.8 in (about 20 × 20 mm) is generally safe for a business card QR code. If your URL is short and the code is simple (Version 1–3), you can go as small as 0.6 in, but test it first. Leave at least 4 modules of white quiet zone around all edges.

Does QR code size affect scan speed?

Yes. Larger codes are detected faster because phone cameras can lock onto them more easily, especially in low light or at an angle. Codes smaller than the recommended size may still scan but will be slower and less reliable.

What resolution should I use when exporting a QR code for print?

Use SVG format whenever possible — it's resolution-independent and prints perfectly at any size. If you need a raster image, export at 300 DPI minimum. For a 1-inch QR code at 300 DPI, that means a 300 × 300 pixel image. Never scale up a raster QR code.

QR Code Print Size Guide — Business Card, Flyer & Poster

Why Size Matters for Scanability

A QR code that's too small fails in the real world — phone cameras need enough pixels to resolve the individual modules (the black squares) that encode your data. The scanning distance makes this critical: a business card is held at arm's length (~40 cm), while a poster might be read from 2–3 meters away.

The general rule is: the scan distance should not exceed 10× the QR code's side length. So a 1 in (2.5 cm) code works reliably up to about 25 cm away. For a poster viewed from 2 m, you need at least a 20 cm (8 in) code.

There's a second factor: the version (complexity) of your QR code. A simple URL with 20 characters produces a Version 1–3 code (fewer modules) that can be printed smaller. A long URL with tracking parameters may generate a Version 8–10 code that needs more space to stay scannable.

Tip: Shorten your URL before generating. A short URL (e.g. bit.ly/example) keeps the QR version low, letting you print smaller without losing reliability.

Recommended Sizes by Print Medium

These are practical recommendations based on typical viewing distances. "Minimum" is the floor below which scan failures become frequent. "Recommended" gives comfortable margin for low-end cameras and off-angle scanning.

Print Medium	Viewing Distance	Minimum Size	Recommended
Business Card	30–50 cm	0.6 in / 15 mm	0.8–1 in / 20–25 mm
Brochure / A5 Flyer	30–60 cm	0.8 in / 20 mm	1–1.2 in / 25–30 mm
A4 / Letter Flyer	40–80 cm	1 in / 25 mm	1.2–1.6 in / 30–40 mm
Poster (A3 / 11×17)	0.5–1.5 m	1.6 in / 40 mm	2–2.4 in / 50–60 mm
Banner / Large Poster	1–3 m	3.2 in / 80 mm	4–6 in / 100–150 mm
Billboard / Signage	3–10 m	12 in / 300 mm	Consider alternatives

Billboard note: QR codes at 3+ meters are rarely scanned successfully. At that distance, redirect users with a short typed URL or vanity domain instead.

The Quiet Zone Rule

The quiet zone is the white margin surrounding a QR code. Without enough quiet zone, scanners can't find the code boundary and will fail. The QR code standard requires a minimum of 4 modules of white space on all four sides.

What does that mean in practice? For a 1 in QR code at Version 3 (29 modules wide), one module = 1/29 in ≈ 0.034 in. Four modules = ~0.14 in. So your total print area including the quiet zone should be at least 1.28 in × 1.28 in for a 1 in code.

Common mistakes that destroy the quiet zone:

Placing the code flush against an image or colored background edge
Cropping the code too tightly in a design tool
Printing the code right up to a business card border
Overlapping the quiet zone with a text label or logo

Export Tips for Print

Use SVG whenever possible

SVG is a vector format — it scales to any size without pixelation. A QR code exported as SVG will print crisp at 1 in or 100 in. Most professional design tools (Illustrator, Affinity Designer, Canva Pro) accept SVG imports.

PNG at 300 DPI minimum

If you need a raster file, calculate the pixel dimensions from your target print size and desired DPI:

1 in at 300 DPI → 300 × 300 pixels
2 in at 300 DPI → 600 × 600 pixels
4 in at 300 DPI → 1200 × 1200 pixels

Never scale a raster QR code up — upscaling blurs the edges of modules and causes scan failures. Always generate at the target resolution from the start.

Keep the code black on white

High contrast is essential. A pure black (#000000) code on a white (#ffffff) background gives maximum reliability. If you must use color, maintain at least a 4:1 contrast ratio and keep the "dark" modules darker than the "light" modules — never invert (light modules on dark background) without testing thoroughly.

Pre-Print Checklist

Before sending to the printer, run through this list:

Scan the digital file — open the PDF or image on your computer and scan it with your phone first
Check the quiet zone — at least 4 modules of white space on all sides
Verify the URL — scan to confirm it leads to the correct destination
Test with multiple devices — try both iOS and Android cameras
Print a proof — scan the actual printed output before the full print run
Check at viewing distance — stand at the realistic distance and confirm it scans within 3 seconds