QR Code Size and Error Correction Explained
Published 9 October 2026
Two settings decide whether a QR code scans easily: how big you print it and how much error correction it has. Both are simple once you know the rules of thumb.
| Where it's used | Code width | Scanned from about |
|---|---|---|
| Business card | 2 cm | 20 cm |
| Table card or menu | 3–4 cm | 30–40 cm |
| A4 flyer | 4–6 cm | 40–60 cm |
| Poster | 20 cm | 2 m |
Rule of thumb: the scanning distance is roughly ten times the width of the code.
How big should a QR code be?
A handy rule: the distance someone will scan from should be about ten times the width of the code.
- Business card, scanned from hand distance: about 2 cm
- Table card or menu: about 3 to 4 cm
- A4 flyer: about 4 to 6 cm, or larger if you have space
- A poster viewed from 2 metres: about 20 cm
- A shop window or banner: bigger still, following the same rule
These are guides, not hard limits. Good light, a sharp print and a simple code let you go smaller. Dim light, shiny material or a dense code mean you should go bigger.
The quiet zone
Always leave a blank border around the code, at least four small squares wide on every side. Don't crop it off, and don't put text or an image too close.
What is error correction?
A QR code contains extra data that lets a scanner rebuild the message even if part of the code is damaged, dirty, or covered. There are four levels:
- L (Low): recovers about 7% damage. Smallest, simplest code.
- M (Medium): about 15%. A good all-round default.
- Q (Quartile): about 25%.
- H (High): about 30%. The most forgiving, but the densest code.
The trade-off is that higher levels add more squares, so each square is smaller at the same printed size.
Which level should you choose?
- M for most things, such as a link on a flyer.
- L when you have a lot of data and want the code as simple as possible, and it will be printed clean and flat.
- Q or H when the code may get scuffed, such as stickers on equipment, or when you'll put a logo in the centre, because the logo covers part of the code.
Styling and logos
Rounded dots, colours and a small logo in the middle usually scan fine, as long as there's strong contrast and sufficient error correction. Problems start when colours are too pale, dots are tiny, or the centre image is large. If you add a logo, use level Q or H and keep it small. Then test.
Always test the printed code
Scan the real printed code with two or three different phones, at the distance people will actually use. If it's slow or fails, make it bigger, reduce the styling, or shorten the content. More help: why a QR code won't scan.
Try the settings yourself in the QR code generator. The preview stays in view while you change things.
How the content changes things
Size isn't just about distance. A code that contains a short link has big, chunky squares. A code that holds a full contact card or a long address has many tiny squares, so it needs to be printed larger to scan as easily. If a code is too dense, shorten what's inside it. A URL code with a short address is the easiest to scan, and a vCard with every field filled in is one of the hardest.
Static codes and your printing budget
The codes made here are static: the content is stored in the code itself. That's good because they never expire. It also means you should check the content carefully before printing, because you can't edit it afterwards.
Handy combinations
- Flyer with a link: level M, square dots, black on white, 4 cm or more.
- Sticker on equipment: level Q or H, because it will get scuffed.
- Table card for Wi-Fi: level M, 3–4 cm. See how to make a Wi-Fi QR code.
Frequently asked questions
What error correction level should I use?
Level M suits most uses. Use Q or H for stickers that may get damaged, or when you add a logo.
Can I make a QR code too big?
Not really. Bigger is easier to scan. The only limit is the space you have and, for screens, how it fits.
Does a bigger QR code hold more data?
No. The amount of data depends on the content, not the printed size. A larger print just makes the same squares easier to read.
How do I know the size is right?
Print it at the real size and scan it from the real distance with two phones. If it's fast and reliable, you're done.