QR Code Menu Size and Printing Guide
· 4 min read · By the Pankarta team
Most QR codes that fail in a restaurant fail for simple reasons: they're too small, the contrast is low, or a glossy finish reflects the lights. All of these are cheap to catch before you print, and expensive to catch after.
How big should a QR code be?
A common rule of thumb is that the scanning distance should be about ten times the width of the code. It comes from guides like this one from Deloitte Digital, and it's an estimate, not a standard. Long links make denser codes, and denser codes need more size.
| Where it goes | Typical distance | Width to start from |
|---|---|---|
| Table tent or sticker | About 12 inches | 1.25 to 2 inches |
| Host stand or counter sign | About 3 feet | 4 to 5 inches |
| Door or window | About 6 feet | 8 to 9 inches |
The widths come from the 10:1 rule, rounded up. As a lower limit, QR tools commonly suggest not going below about 2 cm (0.8 inches). On a table, go larger than that. Guests may be in dim light or holding an older phone.
Leave a clear margin
Scanners use the empty space around the code to find its edges. Guidance for QR codes calls this the quiet zone, and it's usually given as four "modules" (the small squares that make up the code) on every side. Don't let a border, text, or the edge of a sticker cut into it.
Use a dark code on a light background
Black on white is the safest choice. Brand colors are fine if the code stays dark and the background stays light. Light codes on dark backgrounds look good, but many scanners struggle with them, so test them carefully or skip them.
Choose the right material
- Use a matte finish. Gloss and shiny laminate can reflect overhead lights right where the phone is looking.
- Protect it from spills. Tabletop codes get wiped constantly, so use a wipeable material or a holder.
- Check dark rooms. In a dim bar or dining room, place the code where a phone's camera can still see it.
Add a few words
A code alone doesn't tell guests what it does. Add a short line next to it, such as "Scan for our menu", and think about your guests' languages. If they mostly speak Spanish, write it in both: "Scan for our menu / Escanea para ver el menú".
Send the print shop a vector file
Send an SVG instead of a small PNG, since vector files stay sharp at any size. Our free QR generator exports SVG and PNG.
Your test before printing
- Print one copy at the final size, on the final material if you can.
- Put it where it will really go, not on your desk.
- Scan it with at least two phones, including an older one, one iPhone, and one Android if possible.
- Try it at the darkest table during evening service.
- Confirm that it opens the right page over mobile data.
Plan for changes
If the code points straight to a PDF or a page that may move, you'll need to reprint when that link changes. With a digital menu behind the code, you change the menu and leave the print alone. Think about this before ordering 200 table tents.