What is the minimum size for a printed QR code?
There is no single minimum size that works everywhere. For close-range scanning, around 2 cm can be a practical starting point, but the correct size depends on scan distance, QR density, print quality and the material.
Explanation
The smaller or denser a QR code becomes, the harder its individual modules are for a camera to distinguish. Scanning distance also matters: a poster viewed from several metres needs a much larger QR code than a business card.
A practical rule sometimes used is to size the QR at roughly one tenth of the expected scan distance, but this is not a universal guarantee. Resolution, contrast, lighting, surface and error correction also matter.
Keep a clear quiet zone around the symbol so the camera can identify its edges.
For any important print run, make a real-size proof and test it with several phones before production.
Concrete example
A QR code scanned at 30 cm on a menu or card may work at only a few centimetres wide. A QR code intended to be scanned from 2 metres needs to be much larger.
Common mistake
Testing a large QR code on a screen does not validate a tiny printed version. Test the real physical size, material and expected scan distance.
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