Maximise contrast
Pure black on white scans fastest at the gate — avoid tints, gradients or coloured stock behind the code.
Where to use
A ticket that scans in a second
A QR code turns a ticket into fast, contactless entry — and can also hold the event details, a calendar add and an upgrade offer, whether it's printed or on a phone.
- Fast entry
- Print or mobile
- More than a stub
Ticket QR size guide
Tickets are scanned in-hand or held to a reader up close. The rule of thumb: minimum size ≈ scan distance ÷ 10.
| Context | Minimum size | Scan distance |
|---|---|---|
| Standard printed ticket | 2 × 2 cm | up to ~15 cm |
| Ticket with a center logo | 2.5 × 2.5 cm (use higher error correction) | up to ~15 cm |
| Small stub or wristband | 1.5 × 1.5 cm | up to ~10 cm |
| Home-printed or mobile ticket | 2 × 2 cm | on paper or screen |
Note: Test with the exact scanner and lighting at your gate — handheld readers and phone cameras behave differently under stage or daylight.
Who it's for
One code, from gate to upsell
Entry validation
Scan for fast, contactless check-in and stop duplicate or fake tickets.
Add to calendar
Let holders save the date, time and venue in a tap so nobody forgets.
Event info
Link to schedule, maps, parking and house rules on the ticket itself.
Upgrades & add-ons
Offer seat upgrades, fast-track or merch before the doors open.
Transport & transit
Validate travel passes and day tickets quickly at the barrier.
Resell or transfer
Point to a safe way to transfer a ticket a holder can't use.
Ticket QR code FAQ
How big should a QR code be on a ticket?
About 2 × 2 cm for a standard printed ticket, 2.5 × 2.5 cm if it has a center logo, and down to 1.5 × 1.5 cm only on small stubs or wristbands scanned very close.
Will a ticket on a phone screen scan?
Yes. Ask holders to turn brightness up and keep a plain background around the code. Most gate scanners read a screen as easily as paper.
Can I add a logo to a ticket QR code?
Yes, but it eats into the data area — bump the size to 2.5 × 2.5 cm and use a higher error-correction level so it still validates fast.
Should ticket codes be static or dynamic?
For entry validation, each ticket usually carries a unique code from your ticketing system. For extras like event info or upgrades, a dynamic code lets you update the destination anytime.
What if the scanner is in bright sunlight?
High contrast and a good size matter most. Pure black-on-white and 2 cm or larger stay readable outdoors — test at the actual gate before the event.
Design for the real scanning moment
- Keep the informational QR separate from any access-control barcode unless the ticketing system explicitly combines them.
- Preserve the quiet zone around the code.
- Avoid decorative changes that reduce foreground/background contrast.
- Scan a production proof with more than one phone before approving the full run.
- Match the destination to the placement. Common choices include Event, Website.
Get people through the gate faster
Create a ticket QR code — clean, high-contrast and ready for print or phone.