QR codes can be referred to as secret doors. You read those with your phone and they bring you to pages, videos or even a menu in a restaurant. They are square boxes, black and white and they carry a lot of information. So how tiny can QR code be? Can it be so small as a microbe to scan? Let us see!
What Is A QR Code?
QR code is a square consisting of small boxes of black and white colours. Q is an abbreviation of Quick Response. It is possible to scan with a smartphone camera. It clicks on a link, text and other information. The ways that people use QR codes are too numerous:
- Stores
- Menus
- Posters
- Product labels
- Tickets
You can see them just everywhere!
Why is Size Important?
Small QR codes may be adorable but they are difficult to read. Your phone camera can fail to make out the dots inside the code when they are too close to each other. Otherwise the code can not work. Not every phone has premium quality. Not all the cameras are equal. Older phones might struggle to scan small sized QR codes.
We have to consider then:
- What size of information is in the QR code
- The distance the people will be at while scanning it
- The quality of their phone camera How good their phone camera will be
- The fashion on which the QR code is printed What the QR code is printed on
Now let us discuss the size which is small enough to be useful.
How small a QR code be?
The smallest size at which QR code works is determined by a couple of factors. yet a wise canon is:
-
- The dots (referred to as a module) must be wider than 0.4 millimeters.
- A basic QR code consists of 21 by 21 squares of dots. So:
- 400 microns by 21 modules = 8.4 mm (less than 1 cm!)
This is quite little. But keep in mind that this is just the simplest QR codes. These miniature ones contain some limited data such as a short URL or a couple of words.
Thus, in order to scan easily:
- minimum QR code size of simple type: Approx 1 cm x 1 cm
- The lowest size of a complex code: Larger i.e, 2 cm 2 cm or larger
What Makes a QR Code Bigger?
Increased information resides in some QR codes. Perhaps URL QR codes open a long website address. Perhaps, they add your name and phone number. The greater the number of data contained in it, the higher the number of dots required. And the greater the number of dots, the larger a QR code has to be. In addition, in case you want to make your QR code pretty, such as putting a logo on it or coloring it, you have to make it larger. There is not much space towards fun designs in smaller QR codes.
How to Select the Right Size?
These are a few suggestions on how to select the most appropriate size of a QR code:
Key to your message. Short or long? Select the correct size of print. When working with a small label, do not make the QR code small. Print and test. Your phone must always scan the code. Ensure that there is space around the code. This is referred to as the quiet zone. It assists the phone in reading the code.
Example
Suppose you need to include a QR code in a business card. The given card is a small one, and so the QR code should be small too. Not too small, however. Safe size:
2 cm x 2 cm (nearly 0.8 inch)
This is an excellent size on most phones and the easy messages.
What Will Happen If the QR Code Is Small?
When your QR code is smaller than the minimum size, bad things can take place:
- It might not scan on your phone.
- Individuals can lose their temper.
- You can end up losing visitors or sales
No one is pleased with that! And don’t forget to make your QR code correct and of the right size at all times.
Is It Possible to Make It Smaller?
Sometimes yes, but not always.
Provided your message is quite short, and you use good-quality printing materials, you may succeed in going a bit smaller. And this is quite difficult. You must also test it using other phones.
Caution: The code should not be less than 1 cm x 1 cm, or you really must know what you are doing!
Tips for Minimum QR Code Size
In case you actually want a smaller QR code, then here is what you should know:
- Short linking. Attempt to shorten the links with a tool such as bit.ly
- Choose the appropriate version of the QR code. The lower versions contain fewer dots
- Print clearly. Quality printing assists a great deal
- Make it black and white. Fancy colors can cause difficulties in scanning
Final Thoughts
QR codes are mighty tools. However, they are only useful when people are able to scan them. This is why you cannot go too small. Test your QR code all the time. Ensure that it functions in other phones as well as other lighting.
Remember:
- Make your QR code at least 1 cm X 1 cm
- It is always better to be bigger
- Less complex codes can be small
- Before printing the test
That’s it! That is how little you can get. Have smart QR codes – and scan-able ones.
