QR code menus: how big to print them and where to put them

Most QR menu complaints come from the sticker, not the software: too small, glossy, in a dark corner or with no hint of what it opens. These are the rules that make guests scan on the first try.

Size: about one tenth of the scanning distance

• A common rule of thumb is that a code scans reliably from about ten times its width. Guests at a table hold their phone roughly 30–40 cm away, so print the code at least 3–4 cm wide; 4–5 cm is safer for older phones and dim light.
• For a wall poster or the entrance window read from 1–2 m away, the code needs to be 10–20 cm wide.
• Short URLs make simpler codes with bigger squares, which scan better at the same size.

Contrast, quiet zone and finish

• Dark code on a light background. Inverted (light on dark) or low-contrast brand colours fail on some phones.
• Leave a blank margin (the quiet zone) of about four squares' width around the code. Don't let a frame or text touch it.
• Use a matte finish or matte laminate: glossy plastic reflects terrace sun and ceiling lights straight into the camera.
• Logos in the middle work only with high error correction. Test before printing a batch.

Placement

• One code per table, facing the guest, at the table: table tent, sticker or engraved stand. If you take orders by table, each table needs its own code.
• Avoid the table centre under a candle or napkin holder, and avoid flat stickers that end up under plates.
• Outdoors, use weatherproof stands that don't blow over; check after rain and heat that stickers haven't faded or peeled.

What to write next to it

• Say what the code does and in which languages, for example: "Menu in 10 languages · scan with your camera". Add the flags or language names your guests use.
• Print the short web address too, for people whose camera won't scan.
• Keep a paper menu or a price list for anyone who doesn't want to use a phone.

Test before you print 40

Scan from the guest's seat with an old Android and an iPhone, in the darkest and brightest spots of the room, with and without the glass of the stand.

How it works

1. Upload your menu as PDF, Excel or text (or send it to us and we upload it for free). Review it and publish.
2. MenuDoro translates it into 10 languages: English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Greek and Chinese.
3. Print one QR code per table. Guests scan it with their camera, no app to download, and see the menu in their language.
4. They order from their phone. The ticket reaches the kitchen screen in your language, with table and dishes in writing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum QR code size for a table?

About 3–4 cm wide for scanning at 30–40 cm; 4–5 cm is safer. Bigger is needed for walls and windows.

Can I use my brand colours?

Yes if the code stays dark on a light background with strong contrast. Test with several phones.

Do I need one QR per table?

For reading the menu, one code is enough. For ordering from the table, each table needs its own code so the kitchen knows where to bring the food.

No made-up numbers: MenuDoro is a new product and this page describes what it does today. Updated: 2026-10-13.