QR Code with Logo
Adding a logo to a QR code is safe — as long as you follow the 30% rule and use high error correction. Here's exactly how to do it without breaking scannability.
Why logos in QR codes work
QR codes include built-in error correction using the Reed-Solomon algorithm. At Level H (High), up to 30% of the code can be obscured, damaged, or covered — and the scanner can still decode the data from the redundant information. This is by design, specifically to allow logos, stamps, and slight damage without breaking the code.
How to add a logo to a QR code
- 1Generate your base QR codeCreate the QR code first, before adding a logo. Use high error correction (Level H) from the start — this allows up to 30% of the code to be obscured and still scan.
- 2Size your logo correctlyYour logo should cover no more than 30% of the QR code area. For a 500×500px code, that means a logo of roughly 150×150px maximum. Larger logos break the error correction limit.
- 3Center the logo preciselyPlace the logo in the exact center of the QR code. Off-center logos are more likely to overlap data modules near the finder patterns in the corners.
- 4Test before printingScan the QR code with at least 3 different devices: an iPhone, an Android phone, and a QR scanner app. If any fail, reduce the logo size or increase the error correction level.
Logo QR code — do's and don'ts
- ✓Use Level H error correction
- ✓Keep logo under 30% of code area
- ✓Center the logo precisely
- ✓Use PNG with transparent background
- ✓Test on 3+ devices before printing
- ✓Use high contrast between logo and code
- ✗Use Level L or M error correction with logos
- ✗Cover more than 30% of the code
- ✗Place logo off-center
- ✗Use a complex or busy logo
- ✗Skip testing before a large print run
- ✗Invert logo colors on dark QR codes
Best surfaces for QR codes with logos
Common questions
Can you put a logo in the middle of a QR code?
Yes — QR codes use error correction that allows up to 30% of the code to be obscured and still scan. Place the logo in the center and keep it under 30% of the code area. Use Level H (High) error correction for the best results.
What size should a logo be on a QR code?
The logo should cover no more than 30% of the QR code's total area. For a 500×500px QR code, the maximum logo size is approximately 150×150px. For print, convert this to the physical dimensions of your QR code.
Why does a QR code with a logo still scan?
QR codes use Reed-Solomon error correction, which adds redundant data. Level H allows up to 30% of the code to be damaged or covered. The scanner uses the redundant data to reconstruct any missing information — including the area hidden by the logo.
What file format should the logo be for a QR code?
Use PNG with a transparent background for the best result. SVG is ideal if your tool supports it. Avoid JPG (lossy compression adds artifacts at the edges). The logo should have clean, high-contrast edges.
Does adding a logo reduce QR code scannability?
A logo sized under 30% of the code area with Level H error correction has minimal impact on scannability. Logos over 30%, off-center placement, or low-contrast logos increase scan failure rates. Always test before printing at scale.
Also in QR code design: