What is the minimum size for a printed QR code?

2 cm × 2 cm for close-range scanning, and roughly one tenth of the intended scanning distance beyond that.

Can QR codes be coloured?

Yes, as long as contrast stays strong — dark modules on a light background. Low-contrast pastel pairs are the most common cause of failed scans.

Yes. A short instruction consistently increases scan rates because it tells people what they get.

Encode a short link instead of the raw destination, then read the link's click analytics — each scan registers as a click with a timestamp.

Strategy

Most QR codes fail for boring reasons: too small, too low contrast, no reason to scan, or a landing page nobody can read on a phone.

Updated 3 September 2026 · 7 min read

Generating the code is the easy part. These are the details that decide whether people scan it and get where you wanted them to go.

Size for distance: the code should be roughly one tenth of the scanning distance. 10 cm for one metre, 30 cm for three.
Never go below 2 cm on print, even for close-range scanning.
Keep a quiet zone — a clear margin of at least four modules on every side.
Maintain strong contrast: dark modules on a light background, never light-on-dark.
Avoid folds, seams, curves and glossy laminates that reflect light.
Use SVG for print so the edges stay sharp at any size.

Add a call to action: "Scan for the menu" beats an unexplained square every time.
Encode the shortest possible content — short links make sparser, more reliable patterns.
Send scanners to a mobile-first page that loads in under three seconds.
Match the promise: if the code says "menu", do not land people on a homepage.
Never bury the payoff behind a login or an app install.

Point every marketing QR code at a trackable short link so scans are counted.
Use a different short link per placement — poster, flyer, packaging — so you learn which surface works.
Check scan timing: a spike-then-silence pattern usually means the placement was seen once, not repeatedly.

1Scan the digital preview on both an iPhone and an Android device.
2Print a single test copy at final size and scan it again.
3Test at the real distance and under the real lighting — dim restaurants and sunlit windows both break scans.
4Have someone unfamiliar with the campaign try it without instructions.
5Re-test after any design change, including adding a logo.

Inverted colours (light code on dark background).
A logo covering more than about 20% of the code area.
Placing a code where phones have no signal, such as a lift or a basement, when it points to a website.
Codes on moving objects, like the side of a bus.
Printing thousands of units without a single physical scan test.

What is the minimum size for a printed QR code?: 2 cm × 2 cm for close-range scanning, and roughly one tenth of the intended scanning distance beyond that.
Can QR codes be coloured?: Yes, as long as contrast stays strong — dark modules on a light background. Low-contrast pastel pairs are the most common cause of failed scans.
Should I add a frame or call to action?: Yes. A short instruction consistently increases scan rates because it tells people what they get.
How do I know if my QR code is being scanned?: Encode a short link instead of the raw destination, then read the link's click analytics — each scan registers as a click with a timestamp.

Build a QR code free, or create a short link so you can count every scan.