Once you've made a QR code, downloading it in the right format is what keeps it sharp wherever it ends up. Pick wrong and your code can turn blurry on a banner or bloated in an email. Here's how to choose the format and resolution for each use.
PNG: The Everyday Choice
PNG is the most common QR download format. It's universally supported, displays cleanly on screens, and prints well at the size it was exported. For most uses, social, email, web, and small to medium print, a properly sized PNG is exactly right.
SVG and Vectors: For Big Print
A vector format like SVG scales to any size without blurring, because it stores the code as shapes rather than pixels. For posters, banners, signage, or merchandise, a vector QR image keeps every edge crisp no matter how large.
Resolution for PNG
Because a PNG is fixed pixels, export it larger than you think you'll need, especially for print. A small PNG enlarged later goes soft and blocky. For tiny digital uses, a modest resolution is fine and keeps file size down.
Small vs Large Codes
For a small code, a compact PNG works. For anything that may be resized or printed big, grab the vector too. Downloading both formats up front means you're ready for any placement without regenerating the code.
FAQ
Common questions are answered in the FAQ section below.