How to Add a Logo to a QR Code Without Breaking It
Brand your QR code and keep it scannable — the rules, the maths and a checklist.
By MyQRGenerator team Updated 6 min read
A logo in the middle of a QR code makes it recognisable and more likely to be scanned. It works because QR codes carry redundant data — but that redundancy has limits. Here's how to brand a code without making it fail.
Why a QR code still works with a logo on it
QR codes use Reed–Solomon error correction. Part of every code is extra data that lets a scanner rebuild missing or damaged modules. There are four levels:
| Level | Approx. recoverable | Use |
|---|---|---|
| L | 7% | Clean digital screens |
| M | 15% | General print |
| Q | 25% | Small logos, rough surfaces |
| H | 30% | Logos and decorated codes |
A logo hides some modules, and the scanner reconstructs them from the redundancy. But the same budget also has to cover blur, glare, creases and low-quality cameras. Covering 25% of a level-H code leaves little margin for anything else — that's why bigger logos fail in real life even when they scan on your desk.
The rules
- Use level H (or Q for very small logos). MyQRGenerator switches to H automatically when you add a logo.
- Keep the logo under about 25% of the code's width, which covers roughly 6% of its area.
- Centre it. Never cover the three corner finder patterns or the area right next to them.
- Give it padding. A clear border around the logo helps scanners separate it from the modules.
- Use a simple mark, not a full wordmark. Detailed logos become noise at small sizes.
- Prefer transparent PNG or SVG so the logo sits cleanly on the background.
How to do it with MyQRGenerator
- Enter your content in the generator.
- Open the Logo tab and upload a PNG, JPG, WebP or SVG (up to 2 MB).
- Adjust size and padding. Keep “Clear background behind logo” on for the cleanest result.
- Watch the scan badge — if it turns red, shrink the logo or add contrast.
- Download SVG or PDF for print.
Your logo is processed locally: it's decoded and re-encoded as a clean PNG in your browser, so metadata is stripped and nothing is uploaded. SVG files containing scripts or external references are rejected for safety.
Colours with logos
Put the brand colour in the logo and, optionally, the corner “eyes”, and keep the data modules dark. A navy or dark brand colour works for modules; yellow, light blue or pastel modules usually don't have enough contrast with white.
Testing checklist
- Scan the downloaded file on screen with two different phones.
- Print it at the smallest size you'll use and scan from a realistic distance.
- Try in dim light — restaurant tables and event venues are rarely bright.
If it fails, see why QR codes fail to scan.