What size should a QR code be on a poster?

It depends on the viewing distance. A rough guide is 1 cm of width for every 10 cm of distance: about 6 to 10 cm if people can walk right up to it, and 20 to 30 cm if they are 2 to 3 m away.

What size should a QR code be on an A5 flyer?

About 3 to 4 cm is a sensible starting point for a flyer read at arm’s length. Test a printed proof before ordering the full run.

Where should a QR code go on a poster?

Within comfortable reach, near the call to action, on a clean background and away from glare, where people have time to stop and a phone signal.

How do I know which poster gets the most scans?

Use a separate dynamic code for each location or version and compare the scan figures for each code over the same period.

Can I reuse the same code for my next campaign?

Yes, with a dynamic code. Change its destination when the campaign ends, and anyone who scans an old poster or flyer goes to your latest page.

QR codes on posters and flyers

Updated 4 November 2026

Adding a QR code to a poster or flyer takes a minute, but getting people to scan it is another matter. They have to notice it, want what it offers, be close enough to read it, and have a signal. Most underperforming codes fall at one of those steps rather than because of anything wrong with the code.

Print also has a long tail. Flyers stay on noticeboards and in kitchen drawers long after a campaign finishes, so it pays to plan for what happens to the code later.

Give people a reason to scan

A bare code is a request with no promise attached. Say what happens next in a few plain words, and make it specific: “Scan to book your free survey” or “Scan for the full timetable” does more work than “Scan me”. Put the words right next to the code, and treat them as part of the headline rather than small print.

Size it for the real viewing distance

Using the rough 10:1 guide from our size guide, estimate how far away people will be when they decide to scan. A flyer in the hand needs about 3 to 4 cm. A poster they can walk right up to can work at 6 to 10 cm. One across a platform or above head height needs much more, and might be better moved.

Size for the place the poster will actually go, because the same A3 poster can be read at arm’s length on a noticeboard and at 3 m in a shop window.

Placement problems that kill scans

•Too high or too low. People have to line up a phone with it, so keep it within comfortable reach, not above a doorway.
•Moving or brief encounters. Passing traffic won’t scan, but a bus stop or queue has people standing around with time to spare.
•No signal. A code on an underground platform or in a basement venue may not load when scanned.
•Glare. Glass, glossy paper and strong sunlight all cause reflections. Check a window poster at the time of day people will pass it.
•Tight trims and busy artwork. The clear margin is part of the code, so keep it inside the safe area and away from images.
•Outdoor weather. Fading and damage can quickly reduce contrast, so use materials rated for outdoor use and check them from time to time.

Make the landing page earn the scan

The person scanning is on a phone, probably standing up, and has given you a few seconds. Send them to a page about the exact thing the poster promised, not your home page. Check it loads quickly on mobile data and that the first screen matches the offer.

Print a short web address too, as a fallback for anyone who can’t scan. Your dashboard shows each code’s scan link, or you can use a simple page address on your own site.

Measure each location separately

If you’re spending money on print, it’s useful to know what works. All scan figures are per code, so give each location or version its own code, then compare how many scans each gets over the same period. Add UTM tags to each destination, for example utm_source=flyer, and your website analytics can show what those visitors did next.

Each code counts towards your plan, so pick the splits that would change what you do next time: town centre against station, or one offer against another. Plans start with up to 3 codes on Starter and up to 50 on Growth, with unlimited scans on all of them.

Plan for after the campaign

Old flyers are still out there when the offer ends. With a dynamic code you can change the destination to your next offer or a general page, so that late scanners don’t reach a dead end. If you’re unsure about the dates when you go to print, that’s a good reason to use a dynamic code from the start.

A pre-print checklist

•The wording next to the code says what happens when you scan
•The code is sized for the real viewing distance, with its margin intact
•The artwork uses SVG, or a high-resolution PNG at print size
•Contrast is strong, and there is no foil or heavy gloss over the code
•The destination is live, mobile-friendly and matches the offer
•A printed proof has been scanned on two or three different phones

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Frequently asked questions

What size should a QR code be on a poster?: It depends on the viewing distance. A rough guide is 1 cm of width for every 10 cm of distance: about 6 to 10 cm if people can walk right up to it, and 20 to 30 cm if they are 2 to 3 m away.
What size should a QR code be on an A5 flyer?: About 3 to 4 cm is a sensible starting point for a flyer read at arm’s length. Test a printed proof before ordering the full run.
Where should a QR code go on a poster?: Within comfortable reach, near the call to action, on a clean background and away from glare, where people have time to stop and a phone signal.
How do I know which poster gets the most scans?: Use a separate dynamic code for each location or version and compare the scan figures for each code over the same period.
Can I reuse the same code for my next campaign?: Yes, with a dynamic code. Change its destination when the campaign ends, and anyone who scans an old poster or flyer goes to your latest page.