QR Codes with a Logo

Why a logo doesn't break the code

QR codes are built with error correction: part of the pattern is redundant, so a scanner can still read the code when some of it is missing, smudged or covered. A logo in the center deliberately uses some of that spare capacity.

QRSpike generates codes at error-correction level Q, which can recover roughly a quarter of the symbol. The logo is kept to a quarter of the code's width — about 6% of its area — and the modules behind it are cleared and given a clean backdrop, so the scanner sees a tidy gap rather than a confusing overlap. That leaves plenty of margin for real-world damage like creases, glare and cheap printing.

How to make a QR code with a logo

With a free generator (built-in icons)

1. Open the generator for the type you need — website, Wi-Fi, vCard and so on.
2. Fill in the details, then under Make it yours choose a center icon and its color.
3. Check the preview and download it as PNG, JPEG or WebP.

With your own logo (account)

1. Start a free trial and create a QR code.
2. Open the icon picker's My Icons tab and upload your logo.
3. Pick it as the center icon, set your colors, and save.

Uploads can be PNG, JPG, GIF or SVG, up to 1 MB, and raster images should be between 64×64 and 1024×1024 pixels. The full walkthrough is in Customize QR Code Styling in our Support Center.

Logo design tips that keep codes scannable

• Use a simple mark, not the full lockup. A symbol or monogram reads at small sizes; a wide logo with a tagline turns into a smear.
• Prefer SVG. A vector logo stays crisp at any export size; a small PNG goes soft when the code is printed large.
• Keep strong contrast. Dark code on a light background scans best. Light-on-dark works on most modern phones but test it — our guide to QR code color contrast covers the details.
• Keep the quiet zone. Leave clear space around the outside of the code; don't let the logo or other artwork crowd the edges.
• Mind the data length. The more the code holds, the denser it gets and the less room there is for a logo. Short URLs and lean vCards leave the most margin.
• Test the printed piece. Scan it with an iPhone and an Android phone, at the distance people will actually stand, before you print the full run.

Common questions

Can a QR code have a logo in the middle?

Yes. Error correction lets a QR code tolerate part of its pattern being covered, so a reasonably sized logo in the center scans normally.

How big can the logo be?

QRSpike sizes it for you at a quarter of the code's width, which leaves enough error correction spare for wear and tear. Going much bigger is where codes start failing.

Can I add my logo to a QR code for free?

You can add one of our built-in icons free, with no account. Uploading your own logo needs an account; it's included in the 30-day free trial, so you can try it before paying anything.

Will a logo stop older phones from scanning?

Not when it is sized correctly. Any phone that can read a QR code applies the same error correction. Low contrast and tiny print cause far more failures than logos do.