PNG: the safe default
PNG is a raster format, a grid of pixels, saved without any loss of quality. Edges stay perfectly sharp at the size you download, and it supports a transparent background. Use it for websites, slides, documents, email and most printing, as long as you download a size big enough for the print. With a transparent background, make sure whatever sits behind the code is plain and light.
JPG: fine for quick sharing
JPG is also raster, but it compresses the image to keep files small. That compression softens the hard edges between modules and can leave faint speckles around them. It also has no transparency, so the background is always solid. JPG is fine for texting a code to someone, dropping it into a quick document, or an upload form that only accepts JPG. Avoid it for print when you can.
SVG: best for print and design
SVG is a vector format. Instead of pixels, it describes the code as shapes, so it scales to any size with perfectly clean edges, from a sticker to a truck wrap. It's the file print shops and designers want, and design tools like Illustrator, Figma, Affinity and Canva open it. The files are small too.
Some office apps and email programs don't display SVG well. Use a PNG in those.
What about EPS and PDF?
A few printers still ask for EPS or PDF, older vector formats. We export PNG, JPG and SVG, not EPS. Most print shops accept SVG now. If yours insists, open the SVG in a design tool such as Illustrator, Affinity or the free Inkscape and save it as EPS or PDF. The result is still a vector, with nothing lost.
Which pixel size to choose
For PNG and JPG you can pick 512, 1024 or 2048 px. Print at 300 dpi for sharp results, and the math is simple: pixels divided by 300 gives the largest print width in inches.
- 512 px: about 1.7 in (4.3 cm) at 300 dpi. Good for screens, email signatures and small web use.
- 1024 px: about 3.4 in (8.7 cm). Good for slides, documents, business cards and flyers.
- 2048 px: about 6.8 in (17 cm). Good for table tents, small posters and anything else up to that width.
A QR code is all straight edges, so it forgives a little enlargement better than a photo would. Past about 17 cm, though, switch to SVG and skip the guesswork. The size and printing guide covers how big the code should be in the first place.
Quick picks
- Sending to a printer or designer: SVG
- Website, slides or a document: PNG at 1024 px
- Texting it to someone: PNG or JPG at 512 px
- Printing it yourself on a home printer: PNG at 2048 px
- Placing it on a colored layout: PNG or SVG with a transparent background
Download the SVG and a 2048 px PNG from the generator together, and you're covered for nearly anything, from business cards to banners.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best file format for a QR code?
SVG for print and design work, because it scales to any size without losing sharpness. PNG for screens, documents and quick printing.
Can I print a QR code from a PNG?
Yes. A 2048 px PNG prints sharply up to about 17 cm (6.8 in) wide at 300 dpi. For anything larger, use SVG.
Why does my QR code look blurry when printed?
The image was probably too small for the print size and got stretched, or it was saved as a compressed JPG. Download a larger PNG or switch to SVG.
Can I get my QR code as an EPS file?
Not directly. Download the SVG and save it as EPS in a design tool like Illustrator or the free Inkscape.