Point for determining the code area

When the symbol version and module size are determined, the size of the QR Code symbol is determined. The QR Code symbol area requires a margin or "quiet zone" around it to be used.

The margin is a clear area around a symbol where nothing is printed. QR Code requires a four-module wide margin at all sides of a symbol.

Below is an example of calculating the total QR Code area including margin.

(Example) Creating QR Code to encode 50 alphanumeric characters

• Specify the error correction level as the standard "M".
• Obtain a version from the Version and maximum data capacity table (find the intersection of alphanumeric characters and Level M).
  → Version 3 capable of storing 50 or more characters. (Version 2 with Level M holds only 38 characters.)
• Use a printer with 400 dpi resolution. → 0.254 mm when printed with 4-dot configuration.
  (Equation: 25.4 mm/inch ÷ 400 dpi × 4 dots/module = 0.254 mm/module)
• Version 3 = 29 modules, therefore, the size of QR Code is 29 modules × 0.254 mm/module = 7.366 mm.
• Secure a four-module wide margin. 7.366mm + 0.254mm/module × 8 modules = 9.398mm

In other words, the required QR Code area is a square with 9.398mm each side.

If the QR Code area obtained in the process above does not fit the printing space, consider the following three points.

• Decrease the symbol version.
• Make the module size smaller.
• Split the QR Code symbol.