QR Code Size Calculator

How to calculate the right QR code size

1. Estimate the scanning distanceHow far will the phone be from the code? About 20–30 cm for a menu, 1–2 m for a poster, 5 m or more for a banner.
2. Tell us what is in the codeMore data means more, smaller dots, so the code has to be bigger.
3. Tick "logo" if you add oneLogos need error correction H, which also adds dots.
4. Print at least the size shownThen add the quiet zone (white border) around it.

The 10:1 rule

The usual rule of thumb is that a QR code should be at least one tenth of the scanning distance: a code scanned from 1 meter should be about 10 cm wide, and one scanned from 30 cm about 3 cm wide. That rule assumes a simple code with around 25–29 modules per side, which is what a short link produces.

The calculator refines the rule:

• Data density. Longer content needs a higher QR version with more modules. Each module gets smaller, so the code must grow to keep the dots readable. We estimate the version from the official QR capacity tables.
• Logo. A logo needs error correction level H, which uses more modules for the same content.
• Conditions. Dim light, steep angles and moving scanners need extra margin.
• Minimums. We never go below 2 cm (0.8 in), and we keep each dot at least 0.5 mm wide so cheap phone cameras can still focus on it.

Quick reference

Values for "normal" conditions, rounded. Use the calculator for your exact content.

Don't forget the quiet zone

Scanners need an empty margin around the code, four modules wide by the QR standard. The "including quiet zone" result tells you how much space to reserve in your layout. Text, borders and the edge of the paper must stay outside that area.

Make the code smaller without losing scannability

1. Shorten the content. Use a short link on your own domain, or remove tracking parameters.
2. Lower the error correction to M or L if you don't use a logo and the code won't get scratched or dirty.
3. Increase contrast. Black on white scans from further away than dark gray on beige.

Read the complete guide: QR code size for printing.

Worked example

A café wants a window poster that people read from the pavement, about 2.5 m away. The code links to cafe-example.com/menu (25 characters) and has a logo.

1. 2.5 m ÷ 10 = 25 cm as the starting point.
2. With a logo, error correction H pushes the code from version 2 to version 3 (29 modules), which the rule already allows for.
3. Window glass reflects light, so choose "Difficult" conditions: about 25 cm × 1.6 = 40 cm.
4. Add the quiet zone: about 4 modules on each side, so reserve roughly 51 cm of clear space.

The café prints a 40 cm code on an A2 poster with a white border, and it scans easily from across the pavement.

Pixels and print resolution

The calculator tells you the printed size. For the file itself, aim for 300 pixels per inch at that size (about 120 pixels per cm): a 5 cm code needs about 600 pixels, and a 40 cm code about 4,700 pixels. For anything above 4000 pixels, download the SVG instead; it stays sharp at any size.

Frequently asked questions

Related free tools

Related guides

QR Code Size for Printing: The Complete Guide7 min readWhy Did My QR Code Stop Working?4 min readQR Code Error Correction Levels Explained4 min read

Last updated October 27, 2026 by the PloraKit team. Found a problem? Tell us.