Surface guide
QR codes on menus and table tents
A menu QR code is read from 30–40 cm across a table, so 3–4 cm is right. The dominant real-world failure is not size but glare: a glossy laminated table tent under restaurant downlighting reflects straight into the camera.
| Typical scan distance | 30–40 cm |
|---|---|
| Minimum code width | 3–4 cm |
| Error correction | M |
Vertical, not flat
A code lying flat on the table is scanned at a steep angle and catches ceiling lights head on. A table tent holds it near vertical, which fixes both problems at once. This single change fixes more restaurant QR failures than anything else.
Matt, always
Gloss lamination under warm downlights produces specular reflection across the whole code. Error correction does not help — the decoder sees a uniform bright patch, not damaged modules. Matt or soft-touch laminate only.
Keep the URL stable and short
example.com/menu, updated in place. Never example.com/menus/spring-2026-v3.pdf. A short
URL also means a lower version and larger modules at 3 cm.
Point at HTML rather than a PDF — PDFs are slow on a busy restaurant's cellular signal and need pinch-zooming.
Captive portals
If guest WiFi has a captive portal, the code opens the portal instead of the menu. Whitelist the menu domain on the guest network, or tell customers to use mobile data.
Keep printed menus
A QR-only menu excludes anyone without a smartphone, with low vision, or with a flat battery — and in several jurisdictions that is a legal exposure, not just poor service.