QR code size calculator
Free · no signup · works for menus, window decals, signs and table tents
A QR code that is too small for the distance it is scanned from is the most common reason a printed menu fails. Enter where people stand and how long your link is, and you get the smallest printed size that still scans reliably.
How the calculator works
The working rule printers use is 10:1: the scan distance should be no more than about ten times the width of the code. So a code scanned from 40 inches away needs to be at least 4 inches wide. The calculator then adjusts for two things that make codes harder to read:
- Link length. A longer link means more data, so the code has more, smaller squares (a higher QR "version"). Each square has to stay big enough for a phone camera, so long links need bigger codes. Use a short link where you can.
- Surface and light. Glare on glossy vinyl, a curved window or hard sun all lose contrast. Add margin for them, or choose a matte laminate.
It also adds the quiet zone: a blank border of 4 squares on every side. Without it many phones will not lock onto the code, so the decal or card must be bigger than the code itself.
Quick reference
| Where it is scanned | Distance | Minimum QR width (short link) |
|---|---|---|
| Table tent, flyer, business card | 1 ft | 1.2 in (3 cm) |
| Counter decal | 2 ft | 2.4 in (6 cm) |
| Food truck order window | 4 ft | 4.8 in (12 cm) |
| Back of the line | 6 ft | 7.2 in (18 cm) |
| Wall sign or A-frame | 10 ft | 12 in (30 cm) |
Before you print, always test a paper copy from the real spot, in sun and in shade, with an iPhone and an Android. More fixes in QR menu not scanning? 9 fixes and how to put a QR code menu on your food truck.