Design
How to make a QR code with a logo
7 min read · Updated 24 June 2026
Make a QR code below, then open “Customise” to upload your logo. Free, no watermark, no sign-up.
Can you put a logo on a QR code?
Yes — and it’s by design. QR codes use Reed-Solomon error correction (part of the QR standard, ISO/IEC 18004), which adds redundant data so a scanner can mathematically rebuild information that’s missing or obscured. A centred logo simply covers some of that redundant data. As long as you stay within the recoverable amount, the code reads perfectly.
How to add a logo to your QR code
- 1
Create your QR code
Enter your link or content in the tool above.
- 2
Open “Customise design”
Then drag and drop your logo into the upload area (PNG, SVG, JPG or WebP).
- 3
Keep the logo modest
Around 20–30% of the code’s width is the sweet spot. OpenQR automatically raises error correction to the highest level when you add a logo.
- 4
Add brand colours (optional)
Set your foreground colour or a gradient — keep strong contrast with the background.
- 5
Test, then download
Scan it with a couple of phones, then export a vector SVG/PDF for print or a high-res PNG. No watermark, any size.
Error correction: the setting that makes it work
Every QR code is built at one of four error-correction levels. Higher levels can recover more of the code if it’s damaged or covered — which is exactly what a logo does.
| Level | Recovers up to | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| L (Low) | ~7% | Clean digital screens, maximum data |
| M (Medium) | ~15% | General print — the usual default |
| Q (Quartile) | ~25% | Packaging, stickers, busier designs |
| H (High) | ~30% | Logos, outdoor or dirty surfaces |
We handle this for you
When you upload a logo, OpenQR bumps the code to level H automatically, so you get the maximum 30% recovery headroom without thinking about it.
Higher isn’t free
More error correction means more modules, so a level-H code is denser. Print it a little larger to keep the modules crisp.
How big can the logo be?
Keep the logo to roughly 20–30% of the code area. Below that, scanning is bulletproof; push past ~35% and you start eating into data the scanner needs, and reads get unreliable. When in doubt, smaller is safer.
Don’t cover the corners
The three large squares in the corners are finder patterns — they tell a scanner where the code is and how it’s rotated. A centred logo never touches them, which is why centre placement is the safe choice. Avoid logos or graphics that bleed into the corners.
Preparing your logo
- Use a transparent PNG or an SVG so the code’s background shows through cleanly.
- Square or circular logos sit better than wide rectangular ones.
- Give it a little padding — a touch of clear space around the logo helps the scanner.
- Keep contrast strong: a dark code on a light background. Never invert (light on dark) without testing.
- File size: a reasonably small image (under ~2 MB) is plenty.
Export format matters for logos
If the code is going to print — packaging, posters, business cards — export a vector SVG or PDF. Vectors stay razor-sharp at any size, so your logo and the modules never pixelate. For screens, a high-resolution PNG is fine. OpenQR gives you all of these free, with no watermark. See our guide to QR code formats for which to pick.
Always test before you print
A logo’d code can look perfect and still fail if it’s too big or low-contrast. Before any print run, scan the final design with three to five different phones, in normal and dim light, at the distance people will actually scan from. Aim for an instant, first-try read.
Will a branded QR code expire?
Not with OpenQR. We make static codes — your link is encoded directly, so it works forever, free, with no account and no tracking redirect that could lapse. Some tools only let you add a logo to a dynamic code tied to a paid subscription; if that lapses, every printed code dies. A static branded code has no such risk.