How to Put a QR Code on a Business Card
Published 9 October 2026
A QR code on a business card can save someone from typing your details into their phone. Done well, it's useful. Done badly, it's a tiny square that nobody can scan. Here's how to do it well.
Decide what the code should do
You have two good options, and they suit different people.
- A contact card (vCard). The person scans and their phone offers to save you as a contact, with your name, phone, email and company. It's quick and works without internet. Use the vCard QR code generator. The downside is that you can't change the details after printing.
- A link (URL). The code opens your website, portfolio or LinkedIn page. Use the URL QR code generator. The code stays the same, so if you ever want to change where it goes, point it at a page you control and update that page.
Not sure? For most people a link to a simple page of your own is the more flexible choice. For a freelancer who just wants to be saved in someone's phone, a vCard is nicer.
Keep the code simple
Every extra detail makes the code denser, and denser codes need to be printed bigger. On a small card:
- For a vCard, include only what people will really use: name, phone, email, maybe your company. Skip the long address and job title if you're short of space.
- For a link, use the shortest address you can.
Size and placement
- Size: aim for about 2 cm (roughly 0.8 inch) square or more. Smaller than that and many phones struggle, especially in poor light.
- Margin: leave a clear blank border around the code. Don't let text or the edge of the card touch it.
- Placement: the back of the card is a natural spot, with a short line such as "Scan to save my details". Put it where it won't get cut by the trimming.
- Contrast: dark code on a light background. A black code on white is the safest. Keep colours modest.
If you add a logo or rounded dots, keep it subtle. See QR code size and error correction for how much styling a code can take.
Test it before you print
- Print a test copy at the real size on the same kind of paper.
- Scan it with at least two different phones, ideally one iPhone and one Android.
- Try it indoors under ordinary lights, not just on a bright screen.
- Check that the result is correct: the right name, phone number and email.
Make your own now with the vCard QR code generator, then download the SVG for the sharpest print.
Standard card sizes
A business card is usually 85 × 55 mm in much of Europe and Asia, and 3.5 × 2 inches (about 89 × 51 mm) in the US and Canada. On either, a code of about 2 cm square leaves plenty of room for your name and details. If you're tempted to make it smaller to fit a busy design, simplify the design instead.
What to put next to it
A tiny line of text turns a mystery square into an invitation: "Scan to save my details", "Scan to see my work" or "Scan to book a call". People don't scan things when they don't know why.
Using a link instead of a vCard
A link is the more flexible choice, because you can change where it goes without reprinting. For a link, use a short address on your own site, make the code with the URL QR code generator, and make sure the page works well on a phone. If you'd like the person to be able to message you, a WhatsApp QR code is another option, and an email QR code opens a ready-to-send message.
Printing tips
Ask your printer for a matte or uncoated finish where the code sits. Glossy or foil finishes reflect light and can stop phones scanning. Send them the SVG file, not a screenshot. And ask for a proof if you're printing hundreds. Then test it with a couple of phones, as described in our guide on why QR codes fail.
Frequently asked questions
How big should a QR code on a business card be?
About 2 cm (0.8 inch) square or larger. Smaller than that and many phones struggle, especially in poor light.
Should I use a vCard or a link?
A vCard saves your contact straight into the phone but can't be changed after printing. A link to a page you control can be updated any time.
Can I put a logo in the centre of the code?
A small one is fine if you use a higher error-correction level. Test it carefully, because on a small card there is little room for error.
Does the code expire?
Not the codes you make here. The details are stored inside the code, so it works as long as the printed code is readable.