QR Code Size Calculator
Enter how far away people will scan and what the code contains. You get the smallest safe print size, with the quiet zone and the PNG size for your printer.
- Free
- No sign-up
- Runs in your browser
Minimum size
Enter the content (or pick a version) and the scanning distance to see the size.
- With quiet zone
- One module
- Version
Needs a free VISU account. Your link goes along. Dynamic QR codes count toward your plan's limit.
A conservative estimate, not a guarantee. Reading depends on the camera, focus, light, contrast, glare, curved surfaces and the angle. A logo, light colours or an inverted code need extra margin. Test the final print with two different phones at the real distance.
How we calculate it
- Modules: the code is a grid of N × N small squares. N = 17 + 4 × version (version 1 = 21, version 40 = 177), as defined in ISO/IEC 18004. We count the real grid of your content with the same encoder as our QR generator.
- Reading distance: the common rule of thumb is a code side of about one tenth of the scanning distance. We apply it to a 25-module code (version 2) and scale it for denser codes, so each module is the distance divided by 250.
- Print floor: a module is never smaller than 0.5 mm on a standard printer, or 0.33 mm at a high quality print shop.
- Absolute floor: the whole code is never smaller than 20 mm.
- The largest of the three wins. The quiet zone (a light border of 4 modules on each side, also from ISO/IEC 18004) is added around the code.
- PNG: we use whole pixels per module at your DPI so edges stay sharp, which means the file prints at least as large as the minimum. For a print shop, the SVG from the generator is better.
- Results are always rounded up.
Quick reference: minimum code side
| Distance | Version 2 | Version 4 | Version 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 cm (4 in) | 2.0 cm (0.79 in) | 2.0 cm (0.79 in) | 2.3 cm (0.89 in) |
| 30 cm (12 in) | 3.0 cm (1.19 in) | 4.0 cm (1.56 in) | 5.4 cm (2.13 in) |
| 50 cm (20 in) | 5.0 cm (1.97 in) | 6.6 cm (2.60 in) | 9.0 cm (3.55 in) |
| 1 m (3.3 ft) | 10.0 cm (3.94 in) | 13.2 cm (5.20 in) | 18.0 cm (7.09 in) |
| 2 m (6.6 ft) | 20.0 cm (7.88 in) | 26.4 cm (10.40 in) | 36.0 cm (14.18 in) |
| 5 m (16.5 ft) | 50.0 cm (19.69 in) | 66.0 cm (25.99 in) | 90.0 cm (35.44 in) |
Code without the quiet zone, standard printing. Version 2 is a short link, version 4 a typical web address, version 7 a long link with UTM tags.
This calculator is for print. For a code on a TV or monitor, measure the code on the screen in cm and use that as the printed size.
How to use it
- Paste the link or text the code will contain, or pick the version if you already have the code.
- Enter how far away people will usually be when they scan it.
- Choose how it will be printed and the PNG resolution you need.
- Use the minimum size, or larger. Then print one copy and test it with two phones at the real distance.
Examples
Business card
Scanned from about 10 cm. A short link stays at the 20 mm floor, so a 2 cm code (about 2.7 cm with its border) fits on a card.
Restaurant table
Scanned from about 30 cm. A short link needs 3 cm; a long link with UTM tags needs more than 5 cm.
Shop window or poster
Scanned from 1 to 2 m. Expect 10 to 20 cm for a short link, and much more for long content.
Event banner
Scanned from 5 m or more. Print a proof and test it at the real distance before the final print.
Questions
What is the minimum size of a QR code?
There is no single number: it depends on the scanning distance and on how much the code contains. As a floor, keep it at least 2 × 2 cm (about 0.8 inch). For distance, a common rule of thumb is about one tenth of the scanning distance for a simple code.
Does the quiet zone count in the size?
The minimum code side here is the code without its border. The quiet zone (4 modules of light space on each side) is extra and must stay empty, so plan the printed area with it included.
Why does a long link make the code bigger?
More characters need more modules, so at the same distance each module must stay the same size and the whole code grows. A short link keeps the code small.
Does a logo or colour change the size?
A logo forces the highest error correction, which adds modules, and the calculator counts them. Light colours, low contrast or an inverted code are harder to read, so print larger than the minimum and test.
Why is my version higher than a QR capacity table says?
The calculator uses byte mode, the same as the file our generator makes. Some generators pack numbers or capital letters more tightly. The result matches the code you download here.
Can I use this for codes on screens?
It is made for print. For a screen, measure the code on the screen in centimetres and treat that as the printed size.