Menu QR Code Size and Placement Guide
How big a menu QR code should be, where to place it, and how to test it: minimum size, contrast, quiet zone and what to check on a printed proof.
Quick answer: print a menu QR code at least 2 x 2 cm for scanning in the hand, and make it larger if people scan from a distance, such as a window or wall. Keep high contrast and a blank margin around it, then test a printed proof before you print the lot.
These are practical rules of thumb from print testing, not a formal standard. Your results depend on your printer, paper and the length of the link.
Size guide
| Where it is scanned | Starting size |
|---|---|
| Table card, held in the hand | 2 x 2 cm minimum, 3 to 4 cm is easier |
| Menu board or counter | 5 to 8 cm |
| Window or wall, a few steps away | 10 cm or more |
A common 10:1 rule of thumb is about 1 cm of code for every 10 cm of scanning distance, so a code scanned from 1 meter should be about 10 cm. Test it, because phones differ.
Keep the code simple
- A short link makes a simpler code with bigger squares. Use a short custom slug.
- Use SVG or print-ready PDF, not a small PNG you stretched. SharePDF offers PNG, SVG and print-ready A4 PDF.
- Do not add a logo that covers the middle unless you test it.
Contrast and colors
- Dark code on a light background is the safest.
- Avoid light code on dark, red on black, or textured backgrounds.
- Do not print on glossy paper under a bright light, where glare can blind the camera.
The quiet zone
Leave a plain margin around the code. A common rule of thumb is a margin at least as wide as four of the code's smallest squares. Do not put text or borders in it.
Placement
- Put it where people already look: table center, menu cover, or door.
- Keep it flat. A curved bottle or curled card can break scanning.
- Add a line of text: "Scan for our menu" and the short link as a typed backup.
- Light it well. A dim corner is a poor spot.
- Place it at a comfortable height.
Test a printed proof
- Print one copy at final size on the real paper.
- Scan it with an iPhone and an Android, in the room's actual light.
- Test from the distance real customers will use.
- Open the menu and check it loads on mobile data.
- Then print the full run.
Make the code in the PDF QR code generator. Setup steps: QR code menu. Prices change often, so use an updatable link: update a menu without reprinting the QR code. See also restaurant menus.
A worked example
A bistro prints three versions of its code on one A4 sheet to test.
- A 2 cm code on a glossy card. It scans in the hand but struggles under the spotlight.
- A 3.5 cm code on matte card with a white margin. It scans quickly on two phones.
- A 10 cm code on the window. It scans from about a meter away.
They choose the matte 3.5 cm card for tables and the large one for the window.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Slow to scan | Too small or too much detail | Make it larger, use a shorter link |
| Will not scan under lights | Glare | Use matte paper |
| Scans on one phone only | Low contrast or printing blur | Use dark on light, print at higher quality |
| Scans but opens the wrong thing | The link is wrong | Re-test the printed proof |
| Faded after a few weeks | Sun or spills | Laminate with a matte finish, or reprint |
Printing tips
- Print from SVG or the print-ready PDF so edges are sharp.
- Check the code after trimming. A cut that clips the margin can break it.
- Do not scale the image non-proportionally.
- Keep a spare print file with the exact size noted.
If the menu changes, you do not need to reprint, since the link stays the same. See update a menu without reprinting the QR code, QR code menu and PDF menu vs website menu.
FAQ
What is the smallest QR code that scans?
Around 2 x 2 cm in the hand for a short link, but bigger is safer.
Should I print a QR code on every table?
One per table is convenient. It is the same link, so one design works everywhere.
Does a longer link need a larger code?
Yes, more data means smaller squares. Use a short link.
Can I use color?
Yes, if contrast stays strong. Test it.
Can I put a QR code on a curved surface?
It can work on a gentle curve, but test it. Flat is safer.
How far away can a phone scan a QR code?
It depends on size and the phone. As a rule of thumb, about 1 cm of code per 10 cm of distance. Test it.