QR code specifications

Once you've created a QR viewer profile, make sure that it adheres to the following specs.

Size

You can change the size of the QR profile as needed, as long as the minimum size requirements are respected. Ensure that aliasing is not used if you are resizing a raster version of the QR profile.

When used in digital media, the QR profile size should never be smaller than 74 x 74 px (in other words, the individual QR modules should never be smaller than 2 x 2 px.) When used in print, the QR profile size should never be smaller than 0.6 x 0.6” / 15 x 15 mm.

Do not increase the size of a QR profile to the point where it would become a dominant graphical element in your design.

Placement

To avoid visual clutter, the clear space around the viewer profile should be equal to or greater than the QR code position pattern ( ). Do not place photos, text or any other graphic elements inside the minimum clear space.

 

Multiple codes

QR codes are difficult to scan when multiple codes are placed closely next to each other. If your viewer, packaging, website or other materials include multiple QR codes, ensure that these QR codes are spaced sufficiently far apart.

For example, at 7” / 175 mm scanning distance, a typical smartphone QR reader covers about 5.5 x 8” / 140 x 200 mm area. Do not place any other QR codes in this area.

Colors

You can adapt the colors of the QR code to match the design of your viewer.

There are a few things to bear in mind when using different color schemes with your QR code.

Do

• Use only two colors (e.g. white and orange, instead of white and black):
  
• Preserve the color contrast on dark backgrounds by reversing-out the print process. Ultimately, pixels which were black in the original QR code should remain darker than the pixels which were originally white:

Make sure to leave a border around the position pattern ( ) as per images above if you are using reversed-out QR profiles. Alternatively, you can include a one-module width border around the whole reversed-out QR profile:

 

 

Don’t

• Use more than two colors:
  
• Decrease the contrast between the foreground and the background:
  
• Invert the color contrast such that the pixels which were originally black end up being brighter than the originally white pixels:
  
• Place the profile on a busy or non-uniform background:
  
• Use a different color for the border:
  

Other modifications

Avoid modifying the generated QR viewer profile in any way, apart from scaling/color changes as described above.

Don’t

• Change the shape of QR modules:
  
• Add or modify the existing visual elements:
  
• Add shadows:
  
• Disproportionately stretch or skew the QR profile:
  

 

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