How big should your QR code be? Can your QR code be too small? Although there is no QR code size requirements, there are some some general practices to go by when creating and sizing a QR code.
General Practices for QR Code Size
The main reason you are creating a QR code is to be scanned by your audience. This means, a person will be using their mobile phone to scan your QR code. Size your QR codes properly based off where it will be displayed.
QR Code Size for Print and Business Cards
When creating a QR code for print work, think about how the QR code will be scanned. Making your QR code to small will cause it to become blurry, or, cause your audience to become frustrated trying to get the QR code to scan. Too large of a QR code could cause your audience to put some distance between their phone and the QR code in order to get the entire QR code into frame.
When creating a QR code business card, be sure to size your QR code just right. My suggestion is to never create a QR code smaller than 1.25 by 1.25 inches, although many QR codes on business card average about 1.75 by 1.75 inches.
QR Code Size on TV, Posters, Signs and Billboards
Creating a QR code for TV can be difficult. Think about your intended audience and where they will be when seeing your QR code on TV. If they are going to be at home, such as a TV advertisement, you will want your QR code to be big enough to be scanned from the couch. Also take into account that TVs come in all shapes and sizes. You have HDTV and SD TVs. You have small screen TVs and big screen TVs. Test with many different TVs and try to get your QR code to work with all of them.
Creating a QR code for posters, signs and billboards takes some out-of-the-box thinking. First, what is the distance that a person will be scanning your QR code? Will they be 3 feet from your poster or looking up 25 feet at your billboard? Put your self in their shoes when determining the proper size for a QR code. (Remember: not all QR code readers have the option to zoom in.)
Always Test Your QR Codes Sizes
As stated above, you want to make sure you test your QR code to verify they are the right size and that they have the proper data. Make sure your QR code is read quickly with little processing time.
- Use several models of phone and different apps to read the QR code.
- Try to scan the QR code in the same lighting that your audience will be attempting to scan with.
- Try different angles.
Use URL Shorteners for Smaller QR Codes
QR codes will increase in size with the more data they hold. If you have a long URL, it will be better to use a URL shortener such as http://bit.ly to make a smaller QR code. This will generate a smaller QR code that will allow you to blow it up to a bigger size on your media of choice.
I am a Web Designer and Developer that has been creating websites for over a decade. Along the way, I have picked up new skill sets such as SEO, Social Media Marketing and QR Code Marketing. I hope to share this knowledge with everyone through The QR Life.