Formats
QR code formats: PNG vs SVG vs PDF
6 min read · Updated 24 June 2026
Raster vs vector: the one concept that matters
Every format is either raster or vector, and that single distinction decides whether your code stays sharp.
- Raster (PNG, JPG, WebP) is a fixed grid of pixels. Enlarge it beyond its resolution and the edges blur and jag — bad news for the crisp squares a scanner needs.
- Vector (SVG, PDF, EPS) describes the code as mathematical shapes. It re-renders perfectly sharp at any size — a business card or a billboard.
The short version
On a screen? PNG. Going to print? SVG or PDF. Sending to a print shop? PDF (or SVG). Never JPG, ever.
PNG — best for screens
PNG is the everyday choice for digital use: websites, emails, social posts, slides, app screens. It’s universally supported and supports a transparent background, so the code sits cleanly on coloured layouts. The catch is that it’s raster — fine at its native size, but it pixelates if scaled up. For digital use at a known size, that never matters.
PNG for print?
Only if you can’t use vector. Export it large and at 300 DPI or higher — never a 72 DPI screen grab — and size it for where it’ll be used.
SVG — best for the web and scaling
SVG is a vector format that scales to any size with zero quality loss, and the files are tiny (often a few KB) so they load fast. It’s ideal for responsive websites and as a master file you can resize for anything. Designers can open it in Figma or Illustrator and tweak it. OpenQR exports SVG free — many tools lock vector behind a paywall.
PDF — best for professional printing
PDF wraps your vector code in a print-ready, universally accepted file — exactly what print shops expect. It’s the safest thing to hand to a printer for flyers, posters, packaging or cards, and it scales perfectly. If you’re emailing a code to be printed by someone else, send a PDF.
Why you should never use JPG
JPG uses lossy compression that smears the high-contrast edges between black and white modules, creating fuzzy artifacts that cause scan failures. It also can’t do transparency. There is no situation where JPG is the right choice for a QR code — use PNG instead.
Quick comparison
| Format | Type | Best for | Scales cleanly? | Transparency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PNG | Raster | Screens, web, social | No | Yes |
| SVG | Vector | Web, scaling, design master | Yes | Yes |
| Vector | Professional print | Yes | Yes | |
| WebP | Raster | Modern web (smaller PNG) | No | Yes |
| JPG | Raster | Never use for QR | No | No |
Which format for which job?
| You’re putting the code… | Use |
|---|---|
| On a website or email | SVG (or PNG) |
| In a social media post | PNG |
| On a business card or flyer | PDF or SVG |
| On a poster or banner | SVG or PDF |
| Sent to a print shop | |
| On packaging | SVG / PDF (vector) |
Print resolution and size
For raster prints, work at 300 DPI minimum. For physical size, use the 10:1 rule — the code should be at least a tenth of the distance people scan from — and add a margin for glossy or laminated finishes. Our print-size guide has the full tables. Whatever the size, vector (SVG/PDF) saves you from ever worrying about resolution.
Can I convert a PNG QR code to SVG?
Not cleanly — tracing a pixel image into vector leaves rough edges that can hurt scanning. The right move is to regenerate the code in the format you need. Since OpenQR creates from your data each time, just export the SVG or PDF directly — it’s free.
Export any format, free
OpenQR exports PNG, JPEG, WebP, SVG and PDF at any size with no watermark. Make your code and pick the right format below.
Generate a code and download it in any format — PNG, SVG or PDF, watermark-free.