Can you put a logo in a QR code? Error correction explained
By manxlr · · 5 min read
Yes — you can put a logo in the middle of a QR code and it will still scan. It feels like it shouldn't work, since you're covering part of the data. The reason it does is a clever piece of math built into every QR code.
Error correction in one paragraph
QR codes use Reed–Solomon error correction, the same family of codes used on CDs and in deep-space communication. Extra redundant data is woven into the pattern so a scanner can reconstruct missing or damaged parts. There are four levels:
| Level | Recoverable | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| L (Low) | ~7% | Clean digital screens, maximum data |
| M (Medium) | ~15% | The default for most codes |
| Q (Quartile) | ~25% | Industrial labels, rough handling |
| H (High) | ~30% | Codes with logos |
A logo is simply “damage” you add on purpose. At level H, the code can lose up to about 30% of its data and still decode, so a modest logo in the center is no problem.
How big can the logo be?
- Sweet spot: 20–25% of the code's width.
- Upper limit: around 30%. Beyond that, scans get unreliable, especially on older phones.
- Never cover the three large corner squares (finder patterns) or the timing lines between them.
Design rules for logo QR codes
- Give the logo a solid background or margin so it doesn't blend into the modules.
- Use a simple, high-contrast mark rather than a detailed wordmark.
- Print a little larger — level H adds modules, so each one is smaller at the same size.
- Keep the code itself high-contrast; the logo can carry the brand color.
Make one in under a minute
In QR Brand, turn on Add Logo to Center, upload your logo and set the size. Error correction switches to H automatically and the background dots behind the logo are cleared for a clean look. You can also do it in the standalone generator and download an SVG.
Test before printing: scan with an older phone in dim light. If that works, everything else will.