How to add a logo to a QR code
By Prabhneet Singh Narula, founder of RelyQr · Updated
Short answer
To add a logo to a QR code, use a generator that sets error correction to the highest level (H), which lets the code survive about 30% of it being covered. Keep the logo under roughly a quarter of the code's area, centred and off the three corner squares, and test-scan the result before you print.
Why a logo doesn't break a QR code
Every QR code carries extra error-correction data, so phones can still read it when part of it is missing. The QR standard defines four levels; the higher the level, the more of the code can be covered, and the denser the pattern becomes.
| Level | Can recover about | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| L (low) | 7% | Clean screens and documents |
| M (medium) | 15% | Most codes without a logo |
| Q (quartile) | 25% | Codes in rough conditions |
| H (high) | 30% | Codes with a logo |
How to add a logo on RelyQr
- 1
Make your code
Open the generator and enter your link or details.
- 2
Add the logo
Upload a PNG, JPG or SVG. RelyQr switches error correction to high automatically.
- 3
Check the scan test
Every design is test-scanned, and codes with a logo are checked at three sizes before you download.
Logo size and placement
- Keep the logo under about a quarter of the code's area.
- Centre it, and keep it off the three large corner squares, which phones use to find the code.
- Give it a small light padding so its edges don't blend into the dots.
- Use a simple version of your logo; fine detail disappears at small sizes.
- Print codes with a logo a little bigger than plain ones.
Colours that still scan
Brand colours are fine as long as the dots stay dark and the background light, with strong contrast between them. Avoid light dots on a dark background, pale yellows and greys, and gradients that fade to a light colour.
Questions people also ask
Does a logo make a QR code harder to scan?
A little, which is why the code needs high error correction and a reasonable size. Kept under a quarter of the code and off the corner squares, a logo scans fine on modern phones.
What file should my logo be?
A PNG with a transparent background or an SVG works best. RelyQr also accepts JPG.
Can I add a logo to a free QR code?
Yes. On RelyQr, free static codes include every design option, including your logo, with no watermark.
How big should the logo be?
Up to about a quarter of the code's area. Smaller is safer, especially on codes printed small.
Make a QR code that lasts forever
Free static codes with your logo and no watermark. Dynamic codes you can change after printing keep working on every plan.