This guide is written for people printing business cards and wanting reliable scans (not theory).
The short answer
- Aim for 20–25 mm (0.8–1.0″) QR size on a standard card.
- Keep a quiet zone (blank margin) of at least 4 modules around the code.
- Print in high contrast (dark on light), avoid glossy reflections if possible.
Practical sizing table
Use the larger sizes if your QR content is long (vCard, long URLs) or if people scan from farther away.
| Use case | Recommended size |
|---|---|
| Short URL / profile link | 20–22 mm (0.8–0.87″) |
| vCard / longer payloads | 22–25 mm (0.87–1.0″) |
| “Scan from a lanyard / event badge distance” | 25–30 mm (1.0–1.2″) |
SVG vs PNG
For printing, download SVG so the edges stay sharp at any size. PNG is fine for screens, but can blur when resized for print.
Quick print checklist
- Use a short, stable destination (avoid tracking links that may expire).
- Test scan from 30–50 cm (12–20″) in indoor lighting.
- Avoid placing the QR on a busy background.
- Don’t crop the quiet zone when exporting or placing in design tools.