QR Code Size Calculator
Enter the distance the code will be scanned from and get the minimum and recommended print size, adjusted for material and how much data the code carries.
Absolute minimum
5.0 cm
50 mm · 591 px at 300 DPI
Recommended
6.8 cm
68 mm · 797 px at 300 DPI
Add a quiet zone of 4 modules of empty space on every side, and always test one physical print before the full run.
Based on the 10:1 rule, adjusted for material and data density. Sizes are for the code itself, excluding the quiet zone.
How the calculation works
The base figure is the 10:1 rule: a code should be at least one tenth of its scanning distance. That assumes a short payload printed on a clean, coated surface.
Two things eat into that margin. Denser payloads pack more modules into the same square, making each one smaller. Absorbent, curved or textured materials distort the modules physically. The calculator applies a factor for each, then enforces a 2 cm floor for handheld scanning, because older phone cameras struggle below that regardless of the maths.
Do not forget the quiet zone
The sizes given are for the code itself. Add 4 modules of empty margin on every side — scanners use that blank border to locate the code at all.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 10:1 rule?
A QR code should be at least one tenth of the distance it is scanned from. Read at 50 cm, the code needs to be at least 5 cm. It scales linearly and is unforgiving.
Why does the material matter?
Absorbent stock like newsprint or kraft lets ink spread, thickening the dark modules until the gaps close. Curved surfaces distort the grid. Both need a larger code to stay readable.
What resolution should I export?
Use SVG or PDF for print and resolution stops mattering — they are vector. The calculator also gives the pixel figure at 300 DPI if you are forced to use PNG.
Need to create a QR code?
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