What should a QR code on a business card link to?

Either a contact card (vCard) that saves your name, phone, and email to the phone's contacts, or a link to a page about you, such as LinkedIn or a contact page. A vCard works offline and saves in one tap. A link keeps the code small and lets you change the details later without reprinting.

How big should a QR code be on a business card?

At least 2 cm wide for a short link. A vCard with name, phone, and email needs about 2–2.5 cm. A vCard with every field, including an address, has 65 × 65 modules and needs about 2.6 cm, or 3.4 cm with a logo, which is a lot of space on an 85 × 55 mm card.

What is a vCard QR code?

A QR code that holds a contact card in the vCard format: name, phone, email, company, job title, website, and address. When someone scans it, the phone shows the contact and offers to save it. No internet connection is needed.

Will a vCard QR code work on iPhone and Android?

Yes. Current iPhone and Android camera apps read vCard QR codes and offer to add the contact. Test with one phone of each kind before you print.

Can I update a business card QR code after printing?

Not a vCard code: the details are in the pattern. A link code can point to a page you update, such as your website's contact page, so the printed code stays correct when your phone number or job changes.

Should the QR code go on the front or the back of the business card?

On the back, in most cases. The front keeps the name and logo clear, and the back has room for a code of 2.5 cm or more with a short label such as "Save my contact".

QR Codes for Business Cards: vCard or Link, Size, and Design

A business card QR code should hold either a contact card (vCard), which saves your name, phone, and email to the scanner's contacts in one tap, or a short link to a page about you. Print it at least 2 cm wide for a link and about 2.5 cm for a vCard with a few fields, on the back of the card, with a label such as "Save my contact". Fewer fields means a smaller, faster code.

You can make both kinds free in the Pretty QR editor: choose Contact for a vCard or URL for a link.

Should my business card QR code be a vCard or a link?

Compare	vCard (contact card)	Link (LinkedIn, website, contact page)
What happens on scan	Phone shows your contact, "Add to contacts"	Phone opens a web page
Needs internet	No	Yes
Change details after printing	No, reprint	Yes, if the page is yours
Code size	Grows with every field	Small for a short link
Best for	Sales, trade shows, people who want your number now	People whose details change, portfolios, many links

A practical split: if you hand out cards to people who will call you, use a vCard with name, phone, and email. If you want them to look you up, use a link.

How many vCard fields fit on a business card code?

Every field adds characters, and characters add modules. These counts are from a QR encoder at error correction level M, the Pretty QR default for a code without a logo:

vCard content	Characters	Modules	Smallest safe width (0.4 mm per module)
Name, phone, email	119	45 × 45	1.8 cm, so use the 2 cm minimum
All fields: name, company, job title, phone, email, website, address	255	65 × 65	2.6 cm
All fields, with a logo (level H)	255	85 × 85	3.4 cm

A 3.4 cm code on an 85 × 55 mm card takes most of the card's height. So for a vCard:

Keep name, phone, email, and maybe company and job title.
Leave the address out. Few people need it in their phone, and it is the longest field.
Put the website on the card as text, or make a second, link-only code on a website.
Skip the logo in the code when space is tight. Put it on the card instead.

The QR code size guide explains the 0.4 mm rule and the sizes for other print.

How do I make a vCard QR code in Pretty QR?

Open the design editor and choose Contact ("Business card").
Fill in the fields you want: First name, Last name, Phone, Email, and if there is room, Organization and Job title. Leave the others empty; empty fields add nothing to the code.
Type the phone number with the country code, for example +49 30 1234567, so it works for people abroad.
Style the code. Match the card's colors, but keep dark modules on a light background.
Download SVG and give it to your printer or place it in your layout at the size from the table.

For a link instead, choose URL and paste the link. Keep it short: yoursite.com/anna beats a 90-character profile link with tracking tags.

Where should the QR code go on a business card?

Back of the card, centered or in a corner, with at least 3 mm of empty space (more is better) around the code's own quiet zone.
A label next to it: "Save my contact" for a vCard, "My portfolio" or "Book a call" for a link. Without a label, nobody knows what the code does.
Not across a fold or an edge, and not within 3 mm of the trim line, where cutting can shift.
Not under spot gloss, foil, or emboss. These finishes look great and reflect light, which can stop scans. Keep the code on plain matte or uncoated stock.

How do I make a business card QR code look good?

Use one brand color for the modules, dark enough for 4.5:1 contrast on the card color. Light brand colors work as the frame or background instead. See our QR code colors guide.
Rounded or dot modules soften the look and still scan well at 2.5 cm.
Keep the three corner squares intact. Rounded corners are fine; hiding them is not.
On a dark card, print a light panel behind the code, so the code is still dark on light.

How do I test a business card QR code before printing 500 cards?

Print one card at 100% scale on your office printer and cut it to size.
Scan it with an iPhone and an Android phone, at the distance people hold a card (20–30 cm).
For a vCard, check every field in the contact preview: name order, phone with country code, email spelling.
Ask the print shop for a proof and scan the proof too. Paper and finish change contrast.

Few fields, at least 2 cm, on the back, with a label, on matte paper. Make your business card QR code free, with no account and no watermark.

Questions? [email protected]