QR Code Best Practices

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Size & Placement Rules

Minimum Size

At least 2cm x 2cm (0.8in) for print materials

Tip: Test scan from 30cm away before finalizing

Viewing Distance Formula

Size = Distance / 10 (e.g., 3m viewing = 30cm QR code)

Tip: Billboards need larger codes than business cards

Quiet Zone

Keep 4x module white space around the code

Tip: Never let design elements touch the QR border

Design & Scannability

Contrast Ratio

Minimum 4:1 contrast between foreground and background

Tip: Dark on light works best - avoid light-on-dark

Error Correction

Use Level M (15%) for standard, Level H (30%) for logos

Tip: Higher correction = more scannable but larger code

Logo Placement

Center logo, max 30% of QR area with Level H correction

Tip: Always test after adding logos or colors

Dynamic vs Static QR Codes

Dynamic QR Codes

• Editable destination URL after printing
• Track scans, location, and device data
• Best for: campaigns, menus, business cards

Static QR Codes

• Fixed URL, cannot be changed
• No tracking capabilities
• Best for: permanent signage, product packaging

QR Code Use Cases

Context	Recommendation
Business Cards	2-3cm, Level M, link to contact page
Product Packaging	3-4cm, Level H, link to manual/support
Posters/Flyers	4-6cm, Level M, with clear CTA
Billboards	30cm+, Level L, simple URL
Restaurant Menus	3cm, Level M, dynamic for updates
Event Tickets	2cm, Level H, unique per ticket

Call-to-Action Tips

Add text like "Scan for 20% off" near the QR code
Use action verbs: "Scan to Order", "Scan for Details"
Include a phone icon or camera symbol as visual cue
Tell users what they'll get before scanning
Position CTA above or below the code, never inside

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗

Too small for scanning distance

Fix: Use size = distance/10 formula

✗

Low contrast colors

Fix: Stick to dark code on light background

✗

No quiet zone margin

Fix: Keep 4x module white space around code

✗

Linking to non-mobile pages

Fix: Always link to mobile-optimized URLs

✗

No tracking on campaigns

Fix: Use dynamic QR codes with UTM parameters

Related guides

UTM Parameters Cheat Sheet

Tag your dynamic QR codes with the right UTM parameters for clean analytics.

Link Tracking Strategy Guide

Track offline QR scans alongside the rest of your marketing channels.

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