How to Add a Logo to a QR Code
QR codes carry redundant data, so a small logo in the centre does not stop them from working — as long as you respect the error-correction budget and test the result. You can do all of this free at liveqr.codes — no signup needed for a static code, and a one-time $1.99 upgrade unlocks unlimited dynamic codes with scan analytics.
Steps
- Prepare a square logo file — Use a PNG with a transparent or solid background, cropped tight and roughly square. Wide logos waste the safe area.
- Generate the code with high error correction — Level H restores up to 30% of damaged data, which is what makes a centre logo possible.
- Keep the logo under about 20% of the code area — Larger overlays eat past the redundancy budget and start producing failed scans on cheap cameras.
- Add a small quiet ring around the logo — A thin white padding ring separates the logo from the data modules and helps scanners lock on.
- Test at the final print size — Print or display the code at the real size and scan from the distance people will actually stand at.
Pro tips
- Monochrome logos survive better than photos
- Never place a logo over the three corner finder patterns
- If scans fail, shrink the logo by 20% and retest
Frequently asked questions
Does a logo break a QR code?
Not if it stays small and centred. Error correction level H lets the scanner rebuild the covered modules.
How big can the logo be?
Around 20% of the total code area is a safe ceiling; beyond 30% failures become common.
What logo format works best?
A high-resolution PNG with a transparent background, or an SVG when you export the code as SVG.
liveqr.codes is a free QR code generator. Static codes are free and unlimited with no signup; a one-time $1.99 lifetime upgrade adds unlimited dynamic codes with editable destinations and scan analytics. Download every code as a high-resolution PNG or vector SVG.