Help Kitchen Guide
QR code size for menus
The right QR code size is not a design detail. It decides whether guests can scan your menu calmly from the table or give up before ordering.
Updated May 14, 2026
Start with scan distance
For a table card, the QR code should be easy to scan from normal arm’s length. If guests must lift the card, lean in, or ask staff for help, the code is too small.
For windows, counters, takeaway bags, or posters, increase the printed code because people scan from farther away and often while moving.
Protect the quiet zone
Keep a clean blank margin around the QR code. Patterns, frames, logos, or text too close to the code can make scanning unreliable.
High contrast matters more than clever styling. Black on white or very dark on very light is usually safer than brand colors with low contrast.
Test the printed card
Do not approve a QR code from the screen. Print one card and test it where it will actually sit: on the table, in the holder, under restaurant lighting.
Use at least one iPhone and one Android phone. If either phone hesitates, enlarge the code or simplify the printed design before printing the batch.
Common sizing mistakes
Designing only for the mockup
A QR code can look neat in a layout and still be too small for a real table. Real scan distance matters more than the preview.
Crowding the code with branding
A logo, border, or headline too close to the QR code can reduce scan reliability. Keep the code visually boring and easy to read.
Common questions
What is the best QR code size for a table card?
There is no universal number because scan distance and print quality matter. For restaurant table cards, test from seated arm’s length and increase the size until scanning feels immediate.
Can I use brand colors in the QR code?
Only if contrast stays strong. A dark code on a light background is safer than subtle brand colors that look nice but scan poorly.
Can I put a logo inside the QR code?
Sometimes, but keep it small and test the printed version. For busy restaurants, reliability is more important than decoration.