QR codes with custom logos look professional and build brand recognition. But adding logos incorrectly can break scannability. Learn the technical limits, design best practices, and professional techniques for creating branded QR codes that actually work.

How Logo Overlays Work

QR codes have built-in error correction that can recover from damage or obstruction. When you add a logo, you're essentially "damaging" the center of the QR code. The error correction algorithm reconstructs the hidden data, allowing the code to scan despite the missing information.

This damage tolerance has limits. Cover too much of the code, and the error correction can't compensate - the QR code becomes unscannable. The key is understanding exactly how much you can safely cover.

Error Correction Levels Explained

Damage Tolerance by Error Correction Level:

L (7%) Low: Can recover from 7% damage. DO NOT use for logos - insufficient protection.
M (15%) Medium: Can recover from 15% damage. Only suitable for very small logos (max 10% coverage).
Q (25%) Quartile: Can recover from 25% damage. Good for moderate logos (max 20% coverage).
H (30%) High: Can recover from 30% damage. RECOMMENDED for logos - supports up to 25% coverage safely.

⚠️ Critical Rule

Always use Level H (30%) error correction for QR codes with logos. This is non-negotiable. Lower levels result in unreliable scanning, especially when codes are printed, viewed at angles, or slightly damaged.

Safe Logo Size Guidelines

The 20-26% Rule

With Level H error correction (30% tolerance), you can safely cover 20-26% of the QR code's total area. Why not the full 30%? Because you need a safety margin for:

Physical damage: Scratches, wear, printing imperfections
Viewing angles: Scanning from non-perpendicular angles
Lighting conditions: Glare, shadows, low light
Scanner variations: Different phone cameras have varying quality

Calculating Logo Size

Formula for Safe Logo Size:

Logo Width = QR Code Width × 0.45

This gives you approximately 20% area coverage

Logo Width = QR Code Width × 0.51

This gives you approximately 26% area coverage (maximum safe)

Examples:

• 300×300px QR code: Logo should be 135-153px (conservative to maximum)
• 500×500px QR code: Logo should be 225-255px (conservative to maximum)
• 1000×1000px QR code: Logo should be 450-510px (conservative to maximum)
• 2-inch physical QR code: Logo should be 0.9-1.0 inches

💡 Pro Tip: Data Density Matters

QR codes with less data (short URLs) can tolerate larger logos than codes with more data (long vCards). If your QR code looks very dense with small modules, use a smaller logo (20% coverage). If it looks simple with larger modules, you can go up to 26%.

Step-by-Step: Adding a Logo

Step 1: Prepare Your Logo

Logo Requirements:

✓ Format: PNG with transparent background (recommended) or JPG with solid background
✓ Shape: Square or circular logos work best - avoid wide rectangles
✓ Resolution: At least 300×300px for print quality, 512×512px ideal
✓ File size: Under 5MB for web generators
✓ Colors: High contrast colors that stand out against white background

Step 2: Generate QR Code with High Error Correction

On GoCreateQR:

Enter your URL, vCard, WiFi info, or other content
Open "Advanced Settings"
Set Error Correction to H (High - 30%)
Choose your preferred colors (black on white recommended for first-time users)

Step 3: Upload Your Logo

In the "Logo" section:

Click "Upload Logo" and select your prepared logo file
The system automatically sizes the logo to 20-26% based on QR code complexity
GoCreateQR adds a white background badge to ensure scannability
Preview the result - the logo should be clearly visible but not overwhelming

Step 4: Test Thoroughly

Testing Checklist:

Download and display QR code on your screen at actual print size
Scan with your phone's native camera app (not third-party apps)
Test with multiple phones - iPhone and Android, newer and older models
Scan from different angles (perpendicular, 45°, 30°)
Test in various lighting (bright, indoor, dim)
If printing, create a test print on actual material
Have colleagues test - different people use different phone models
If ANY test fails, reduce logo size or remove it

Design Best Practices

Logo Placement: Always Center

Always place logos in the center of the QR code. The corners contain critical positioning patterns that must never be covered. The center is the safest area for damage because error correction works most effectively there.

Background Padding: Essential for Scannability

Never place a logo directly on the QR pattern. Always add a solid background (usually white) that extends at least 2 modules (squares) beyond the logo on all sides. This prevents the logo from blending into the QR pattern and confusing scanners.

✓ Correct: White Background Padding

Logo has 2-4 module white border creating clear separation from QR pattern.

GoCreateQR adds this automatically with rounded corners

✗ Wrong: No Background Padding

Logo placed directly on pattern - black modules bleed into logo edges.

Causes scan failures and looks unprofessional

Logo Shapes and Aspect Ratios

⭕

Circle or Square Logos (1:1 ratio)

Ideal - fits naturally in QR code center, maximizes logo size while minimizing coverage.

▭

Slightly Rectangular Logos (4:3 or 3:2 ratio)

Acceptable - reduce size by 10-15% to account for extra coverage area.

▬

Wide Rectangular Logos (16:9 or wider)

Problematic - covers too much horizontal area. Reduce to minimum readable size or crop to square.

Advanced Techniques

Monochrome Logo Versions

Consider creating a simplified, monochrome version of your logo specifically for QR codes. Remove fine details, gradients, and drop shadows. A clean, high-contrast logo version ensures maximum readability and scannability.

Matching Logo Colors to QR Code Colors

If using a colored QR code, ensure your logo colors have high contrast against the white background. A navy blue QR code with a navy blue logo can blend together - use a lighter logo version or add a contrasting border.

Framing Instead of Centering

Alternative approach: Keep the QR code logo-free for maximum reliability, but add your logo and branding in a frame around the QR code. This provides 100% scannability while still achieving brand recognition. Common in professional marketing materials.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗ Using Low Error Correction

"I'll just add a small logo, L or M is fine." NO - always use Level H. The safety margin is essential for real-world conditions.

✗ Logo Too Large

"Bigger logo = better branding." NO - if logo exceeds 26% coverage, scannability drops dramatically. Bigger isn't better if it doesn't work.

✗ Skipping Testing

"It looks fine, let's print 10,000." ALWAYS test on multiple devices before mass production. One bad scan costs more than testing.

✗ Complex, Detailed Logos

Intricate logos with fine lines don't scale down well. Use simplified versions or icon-only logos for QR codes.

✗ No Background Padding

Transparent logos placed directly on QR pattern cause scanning issues. Always use white/solid background with padding.

When NOT to Add a Logo

Sometimes a plain QR code is the better choice:

High-density QR codes: Long URLs, complex vCards - already at capacity without logos
Small physical sizes: Business card QR codes under 0.8 inches - logo becomes too small to recognize
Critical applications: Payment QR codes, medical info - prioritize 100% reliability over branding
Outdoor/harsh environments: Codes exposed to weather, sun damage, physical wear - need full error correction capacity
Maximum scan distance: Billboard or poster codes scanned from far away - simpler is better

Troubleshooting Logo QR Codes

Problem: QR Code Won't Scan with Logo

Solutions: 1) Reduce logo to 20% instead of 26%, 2) Verify error correction is Level H, 3) Increase QR code size, 4) Simplify data (shorter URL), 5) Add more white padding around logo.

Problem: Logo Looks Blurry or Pixelated

Solutions: 1) Use higher resolution logo (512×512px minimum), 2) Export as PNG not JPG, 3) Increase overall QR code size, 4) Use vector logo (SVG) if generator supports it.

Problem: Logo Blends into QR Code Pattern

Solutions: 1) Add white background padding (GoCreateQR does this automatically), 2) Increase logo border thickness, 3) Use higher contrast logo colors, 4) Add subtle shadow or outline to logo.

Conclusion

Adding a logo to your QR code is an excellent way to increase brand recognition and trust. The key is following technical limits: Level H error correction, 20-26% coverage maximum, center placement, white background padding, and thorough testing.

When done correctly, logo QR codes look professional and scan reliably across all devices. When done incorrectly, they waste marketing budget on unscannable codes. Follow these guidelines, test thoroughly, and you'll create branded QR codes that both look great and work flawlessly.

Create QR Codes with Your Logo

GoCreateQR automatically optimizes logo size and adds safety padding for reliable scanning.

Add Your Logo Now →

How to Add Logos to QR Codes Safely