What Should be the Minimum Size of Your QR Code?

Last updated:   March 02, 2023

QR codes come in various sizes and colors. As they can be found everywhere, does a QR code have a minimum size? If so, what is it?  

In today’s setup, QR codes are dominantly present in almost every object that can be associated.

Ranging from product packaging to billboard signage, these codes are ubiquitous.

Because of that, people are curious about how do these codes maintain their scannability at a distance. 

The trick most QR code users do is by adjusting the QR codes' size.

If you are starting your journey with QR codes, here are some basic concepts that you need to know about the minimum size for QR code beforehand.

How to make a QR code?

1. Go to QRTIGER QR code generator 
2. Select the appropriate category of your content.
3. Generate your QR code in a dynamic state.
4. Customize your QR code.
5. Test if it works and download it.
6. Choose the minimum QR code size and deploy your QR code.

Determining the QR code scanning distanceQR code scanning distance

A QR code scanning distance is the distance between the QR code and the person who is about to scan it.

It is the key factor in determining the best QR code minimum size that a QR code user needs to maintain its scannability.

When using one, a QR code always gets its scanning distance to ensure its scannability and avoid any scanning issues along the way.

How to determine the QR code minimum size?

When determining the right minimum size for QR code, there is a QR code sizing formula that the QR code experts have formulated for both existing and new QR code users:

Scanning distance between the QR code and the person who is scanning it is divided by 10.

As QR codes are found almost everywhere, there are different QR code minimum sizes in every object found with it. Because of that, the QR code experts have distinguished two QR code scanning distance kinds, short QR code scanning distance and long QR code scanning distance.

Minimum size for a QR code: Short QR code scanning distanceQR code magazine scanning distance

A QR code that has a short scanning distance is identified when the QR code you place into the object requires a closer scanning radius.

To identify whether that QR code needs a long QR code scanning distance, here are the following objects that associates with it.

  1. Payment stands on the cashier counter
  2. Menus
  3. Physical brochures, magazines, and newspapers.
  4. Business cards
  5. Identification cards
  6. Flyers
  7. Product packaging
  8. Books
  9. Tickets for transportation, entertainment, and raffles
  10. Registration forms


Long QR code scanning distanceUrl QR code wall building

A QR code is said to need a long scanning distance if the object it associates with is placed away from people at a great distance. And with that long scanning distance, here are some of the objects that a QR code can be associated with using this kind.

  1. Posters
  2. Billboards
  3. Shop windows
  4. Vehicles

How to make a QR code?

To know how to resize your QR code to the desired QR code scanning distance, you must first create a QR code. When creating one, here are 6 simple steps that you can easily follow:

1. Go to QRTIGER QR code generator online QR code generator QRTIGER

The first thing to do when making a QR code is to first open a QR code software like QRTIGER.

QRTIGER is a simple and intuitive QR code generator that possesses 5 of the highly required factors that determines the best QR code generator, credibility, pricing, allowance to make QR codes for free, updated customer support system and security system, and ability to track and edit QR codes.

Related: Best QR Code Generator and How to Look for One?

2. Select the appropriate category of your content and fill it up.QR code solutions

After you have opened the QR code generator, continue selecting the category your content fits on to.

With different QR code categories available on the platform, you can ensure that your QR code can always be converted into a QR code.

Once you have selected the QR code category, fill in the required fields, and carefully read the accepted formats for your files and URL format for your social media accounts.

Related: QR code types: 15 primary QR solutions and their functions

3. Generate your QR code in a dynamic stateGenerate dynamic QR code

For a better QR code output, generate your QR code in a dynamic state. In this way, you can ensure that the QR code you are generating keeps a sleek and clean look.

Aside from maintaining its sleek and clean look, you can enjoy other measurable benefits with it. Because of that, businesses and marketers recommend the use of dynamic QR codes.

Related: Dynamic QR Codes Are Way Better – Here is Why!

4. Personalize your QR codeCustomize QR code with logo

To get more scans, customize your QR code by choosing the theme that is available in the platform or make your own personalized theme by selecting the set of patterns, eye shapes, and colors.

Also, for greater brand awareness, you can add your logo and add a compelling call to action to it.

Related: 5 steps to make a creative QR code design!

5. Test if it works and download it.

After customizing your QR code, first, run a series of QR scan tests using different QR code scanning devices. By running a scan test, you can early detect any scanning issues before launching.

Once you are satisfied with your scan test, download your QR code in a print quality format such as SVG.

By using this format, you can ensure your QR code’s quality on print paper.

Related: QR code SVG format: Resize your QR codes to any sizes

6. Choose the QR code minimum size and deploy your QR codeQR code minimum size

Before deploying your QR code, you must first choose the minimum QR code size for your QR code campaign.

By doing so, you can ensure that your QR code is scannable at the desired QR code scanning distance.

Tips on how to maintain your QR code’s scannability

Aside from knowing the minimum QR code sizing in maintaining its scannability, here are 5 other tips that you can employ in starting your campaign with QR codes.

1. Keep a clutter-free QR code designQR code pattern less pixels

The first tip that QR code users should always bear in mind is to keep a clutter-free QR code design. To do this, you must first know the type of QR code you want to create.

Static QR codes store data right within the QR code’s graphics.

As the data you want to encrypt with static QR codes is large, the number of dots within the QR code graphics increases.

While the use of dynamic QR codes saves data with the use of a unique URL.

With the use of it, they can keep a clutter-free QR code design. Because of that, QR code experts recommend the use of dynamic QR codes.

2. Always mind the gapQR code minimum size frame

To maintain the scannability of your QR code, you must always mind the gap between the frame and the code itself.

By doing so, the scanner can easily scan the QR code and avoid any scanning delays.

3. Carefully choose the right color contrastQR code correct colors contrast

One thing QR code users always overlook when designing their QR code is its color contrast. Because of that, many people are ignoring the QR codes that have an unfit color contrast design.

Thus, losing more sales lead and potential clients for businesses.  

To avoid this to happen, QR code experts created a QR code color contrast rule of thumb.

The rule of thumb states: “The foreground color should always be darker than the background color.” 

Through this rule of thumb, the colors that users need to consider or avoid when designing their QR codes can be easily identified.

4. Consider the right QR code placementQR code placement

Now that the QR code experts have shared the three most important QR code tips that users can follow, this tip can be crucial in gaining more QR code scans.

To choose the right QR code placement, place your QR code in areas where people can easily view and scan it.

If you are planning to place them in print paper, it is recommended to place your QR code in areas where it will experience no creases and folds.

5. Print high-quality QR codes

To maintain the QR code’s look and scannability, QR code experts always recommend users print their QR codes in high-quality.

For them to have high-quality QR codes, they recommend downloading their QR code in a vector format such as SVG format.

By downloading this in vector format, users can customize QR codes size without compromising the QR code’s quality.


QR code minimum size – Accurately maintain the QR code’s scannability

Since QR codes are having their time during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring its look and scannability can be crucial. Because of that, QR code experts are sharing some tips and hacks on employing the right minimum QR code size. 

Because QR codes can make a big difference in people's lives, the best QR code generators like QR TIGER have always done their best to help new and old users get ready for their journey with QR codes.

Because of that, QR code scanning has seamlessly scan their way to be the most used technological prompt of today. 

brands using qr codes