Create a branded QR code with your logo in the middle. Pick dot and eye shapes, colors or a gradient, and the tool switches to the highest error correction automatically, checks the logo size and contrast, and runs a real scan test before you download a PNG or SVG.
Last updated:
Logo
PNG with transparency or SVG works best
Dot shape
Eye frame
Eye center
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How to use the QR Code Generator with Logo
Enter your link or text. A short URL gives a smaller, less dense code that leaves more room for a logo.
Choose a logo: upload your logo image, type a short text badge, or pick an icon. Set its size and background shape.
Style the code with a dot shape, eye frame and eye center, then pick colors or a gradient. Keep dark dots on a light background.
Watch the health panel. It shows how much of the code the logo covers compared with what error correction can repair, and flags low contrast.
Click Scan test to decode the finished design at two sizes, then download a PNG for screens or an SVG for print.
How a logo fits inside a QR code
A QR code is a grid of black and white squares called modules. Besides your data, every code carries Reed-Solomon error-correction codewords, which let a scanner rebuild parts of the code that are dirty, torn or covered. A logo in the middle is simply a deliberate, neat patch of "damage". The scanner reads the rest of the code and reconstructs what the logo hides, so the logo only works if it stays smaller than the repair budget of the chosen level.
The three big squares in the corners (the finder patterns or "eyes") are never covered: they tell the scanner where the code is and how it is rotated. That is why you can freely restyle their shape and color, but should keep them clearly visible and high-contrast.
Error correction level
Approx. data it can restore
Logo advice
L (Low)
about 7%
No logo; smallest code for plain printing
M (Medium)
about 15%
Tiny logos only; the usual default without a logo
Q (Quartile)
about 25%
Small logo, around 15% of the width
H (High)
about 30%
Recommended for logos, around 20-25% of the width
Percentages are the share of codewords the standard (ISO/IEC 18004) can recover. Because a logo covers modules rather than whole codewords, the safe logo area is a bit smaller than the headline figure, which is why the health meter turns orange well before 100% of the budget.
Design tips for a branded QR code that always scans
Shorten the content. Fewer characters mean a lower QR version with bigger modules, which tolerates a logo and fancy dot shapes better.
Keep dark on light. Use a dark dot color on a white or pale background with a contrast of 4:1 or more. Gradients should stay dark from start to end.
Give the logo a backing. A white rounded or circle background behind the logo separates it from the dots and keeps edges clean.
Respect the quiet zone. Leave a margin of 4 modules around the code, especially when it is printed on a busy background.
Test before printing. Use the Scan test here, then try at least two different phones at the real print size and distance.
Frequently asked questions
Will a QR code still scan with a logo in the middle?
Yes, as long as the logo stays within what error correction can rebuild. QR codes store redundant data: level H can recover roughly 30% of damaged codewords. Covering the center with a logo counts as damage, so keep the logo to about 20-25% of the width with level H, then run the scan test and check with a couple of phones.
Which error correction level should I use with a logo?
Use H (High, about 30% recovery). This tool picks H automatically whenever a logo is shown. Higher error correction makes the code denser (more modules), so if your link is very long the dots become small; shorten the URL to keep the code easy to scan.
What size should the logo be?
Around 15-25% of the QR code width works for most designs. The health meter shows the share of data modules hidden by the logo and compares it to the repair budget of the chosen level. Green means a comfortable margin, orange means test carefully and red means it is likely to fail.
Should I download PNG or SVG?
SVG is vector, so it stays sharp at any size and is best for print, signs and packaging. PNG is best for websites, documents and social media; choose 2048 or 4096 px for print if your software does not accept SVG. Uploaded logos are embedded inside the SVG file.
Do custom colors and gradients affect scanning?
They can. Scanners need strong contrast between the dots and the background: aim for at least 4:1 with dark dots on a light background. Light dots on a dark background (inverted codes) are not supported by some older scanner apps. The tool warns you when contrast is too low.
Does this QR code expire or track scans?
No. It is a static QR code: the link or text is stored directly in the pattern, so it works forever and nobody can count or redirect scans. If you need to change the destination later, point the QR code at a page you control.
How big should a printed QR code be?
A common rule is a minimum of about 2 x 2 cm (0.8 x 0.8 in) for close scanning, and roughly one tenth of the scanning distance for posters (for example 30 cm wide for scanning from 3 m). Always keep the quiet zone, the empty margin around the code, at least 4 modules wide.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.