Print vs digital QR codes: sizing, resolution, and error correction
A QR code that scans perfectly on a phone screen can fail on a business card, and a code that looks great on a poster can be overkill on a receipt. The right size, format, and error correction level depend entirely on where the code will live. Here is how to get it right.
Digital displays: screens, emails, and apps
QR codes on screens are the easiest case. The display is high-resolution, the background is clean, and the lighting is controlled. A few rules of thumb:
- Minimum size: 200×200 px is comfortable for phone screens. 128×128 px works but requires the scanner to be closer.
- Error correction: L or M is fine. The code will not be damaged on a screen, so you do not need the extra redundancy.
- Format: PNG is usually sufficient. SVG is better if the code will be displayed at variable sizes (responsive web, presentations).
- Contrast: Dark foreground on a light background. Black on white is the safest. Avoid low-contrast pairs like gray on white.
Print: business cards, flyers, and posters
Printed QR codes need more care. Ink bleeds, paper is rough, and the code gets handled, folded, and smudged. The two most important decisions are physical size and error correction level.
Minimum physical size
The scannable size of a QR code depends on the distance between the scanner and the code, the density of the pattern, and the phone's camera quality. A practical minimum:
- Business cards: at least 2 cm (0.8 in) wide. Use error correction Q or H.
- Flyers and handouts: at least 2.5 cm (1 in) wide. Use error correction M or Q.
- Posters and signage: at least 5 cm (2 in) wide for arm's-length scanning. Use error correction Q.
- Large banners: scale proportionally; the code should be at least 1/10 the distance to the scanner in centimeters (e.g., 10 cm for a 1 m scanning distance).
Error correction for print
Always use at least Q (25% recovery) for printed QR codes. Print introduces variables that screens do not: ink spread, paper texture, folding, and handling. The extra redundancy is cheap insurance.
Use H (30% recovery) if the code will be:
- Printed on rough or textured material (cardboard, kraft paper)
- Exposed to weather or UV light
- Partially covered by a logo or design element
- Handled frequently (business cards, tickets)
PNG vs SVG for print
SVG is the better choice for print in almost every case. It scales to any size without pixelation, which matters when you are placing a QR code on a poster, banner, or packaging. PNG works for small prints (business cards, receipts) if you export at a high enough resolution, at least 1024 px wide for a code that will be printed at 2+ inches.
The LocalQR on this site exports both PNG and SVG. Use SVG for anything larger than a business card. Use PNG for small prints and digital displays.
Color and contrast
QR scanners read contrast, not color. The foreground (the dark modules) must contrast sharply with the background (the light modules). A few guidelines:
- Black on white is the safest and most widely tested.
- Dark on light works well: navy on cream, dark green on white, etc.
- Light on dark (inverted) can work but is less reliable on older scanners.
- Low contrast (gray on white, pastel on pastel) frequently fails. Avoid it.
- Gradients in the foreground can look good but may cause scanning issues on low-end cameras.
A quick checklist
- Digital display? Use PNG, error correction M, at least 200×200 px.
- Business card? Use SVG or high-res PNG, error correction Q or H, at least 2 cm wide.
- Poster or signage? Use SVG, error correction Q, at least 5 cm wide.
- Adding a logo? Use error correction H, keep the logo under 20% of the code area.
- Always test. Scan a test print from the actual surface at the actual size before going to production.
Try it
The LocalQR lets you pick error correction level L, M, Q, or H and export PNG or SVG so you can match the output to your medium. Everything runs in your browser, nothing is uploaded.