How to Add a Logo to a QR Code (Without Breaking the Scan)

Short answer: To add a logo to a QR code, drop your logo into the center, keep it under about 30% of the code's area, and make sure error correction is set to High (H) so scanners can rebuild the modules behind it. Keep strong contrast and a clear quiet zone, then test-scan before printing. On Qre.gg, adding a centered logo automatically bumps error correction to H so your branded code still scans every time.

Why a logo doesn't have to break your QR code

It feels risky to slap a logo over a QR code — but QR codes were built for exactly this. Every code carries error correction: redundant data that lets a scanner reconstruct modules that are dirty, damaged, or covered. There are four levels:

A center logo covers some modules. As long as the covered area stays within what level H can recover, the scanner rebuilds the hidden data and the code reads perfectly. That's the whole trick.

The 30% rule (and four more that matter)

1. Keep the logo under ~30% of the code area. Bigger than that and even level H can't recover the data. When in doubt, smaller is safer.
2. Use error correction H. Qre.gg sets this automatically the moment you add a logo — but if you're using another tool, set it manually.
3. Center it. The middle has the most redundancy and no finder patterns (the three corner squares), so it's the safest place. Never cover a corner square.
4. Keep strong contrast. Dark modules on a light background. A logo with its own busy background can confuse scanners — prefer a transparent PNG or SVG.
5. Protect the quiet zone. Leave a blank margin (~four modules) around the whole code; a logo never belongs in that border.

How to add a logo on Qre.gg (step by step)

1. Open the generator and create your code (URL, vCard, menu, anything) on Qre.gg.
2. Open the design panel and upload your logo — SVG or a transparent PNG works best.
3. Check the size. Keep it comfortably inside the center; the live preview shows whether it's clean. Error correction switches to H for you.
4. Tune the look (optional): set brand colors, a gradient, custom dot/eye shapes, and a "Scan me" caption frame.
5. Download as SVG for print (crisp at any size) or PNG for screens.
6. Test-scan the export with two or three different phones before sending it to print.

💡 Make the code dynamic so you can change where it points later without touching the print. Branding and editability are independent — read How to Make an Editable QR Code.

Choosing the right logo

A QR code shrinks your logo to a small square, so detail is the enemy:

• Simple beats detailed. A bold mark or single icon reads better than a full lock-up with a tagline.
• High contrast against the code. Avoid pale logos on white or dark logos on a dark gradient.
• Transparent background. Lets the code's quiet space breathe around the mark.
• No thin lines or tiny text. They vanish at print sizes and can clash with modules.

Common logo mistakes that kill the scan

• Logo too big. The #1 failure. Past ~30% coverage, nothing recovers it.
• Error correction left on L or M. Without level H, even a small logo can break the code.
• Low contrast. A light-gray code or a busy logo background slows or stops scanners.
• Covering a finder pattern. The three corner squares are how scanners find the code — never put a logo on them.
• Skipping the test. Always scan the final, printed piece under real lighting before a full run.

Branding plans on Qre.gg

Colors and error correction are free on every plan. The center logo, gradients, and custom shapes are part of custom branding, included on Pro and Teams — design and preview a branded code first, then upgrade when you're ready to download it.

Brand your QR code now

A logo turns a generic black-and-white square into a code people trust enough to scan. Keep it small, keep error correction high, keep the contrast strong — and test before you print.

Design a branded QR code →, or open the free QR code generator to try it. Want the rest of the branding toolkit explained? See our roundup of the best dynamic QR code generators in 2026.