A logo in the middle of a QR code makes it instantly recognisable, and people are more likely to scan a code that clearly belongs to a brand they know. But cover too much of the code and it stops working. Here's how to get it right.
Why a QR code still works with a logo on top
QR codes have error correction built in. Some of the data is stored more than once, so a scanner can rebuild the parts it can't read. It's the same idea that lets a scratched CD still play.
There are four levels:
| Level | Can recover roughly |
|---|---|
| L (Low) | 7% of the code |
| M (Medium) | 15% |
| Q (Quartile) | 25% |
| H (High) | 30% |
A logo works by deliberately "damaging" the middle of the code, then relying on error correction to fill the gap. So for a logo, you want level H. QR Flip switches to it automatically when you add one.
How big can the logo be?
Keep the logo to about 20–30% of the code's width. That covers roughly 4–9% of the code's area, comfortably inside what level H can recover. It leaves headroom for real-world damage like scuffs, glare and creases.
Bigger logos sometimes still scan on new phones but fail on older ones, so it isn't worth the risk. QR Flip warns you if a logo gets large enough to cause problems.
Rules for a logo that scans
- Keep it in the centre. Never cover the three big squares in the corners. These finder patterns are how a phone spots and lines up the code.
- Give it a margin. A little clear space around the logo makes the edge of the code cleaner and easier to read.
- Use a simple version. A bold icon or monogram works far better than a full logo with small text.
- Keep the contrast. The code itself still needs dark modules on a light background. A colourful logo is fine, but don't recolour the whole code to match it if that weakens the contrast.
- Go up a size. Error correction adds modules and makes the code denser. If you add a logo, print the code a little larger than you otherwise would (see the print size guide).
Use a dynamic code
Error correction and a logo both add density. A dynamic code only contains a short link, so it starts with far fewer modules than a static code holding a long web address. That leaves more room for your logo and keeps the code easy to scan. See dynamic vs static QR codes.
Add a frame with a call to action
A logo says who the code belongs to. A frame with a short call to action, like "Scan for the menu" or "Scan to book", tells people why they should scan it. Together they make a code that is far more likely to be used.
Test it
Before you print, scan the final design on at least two phones, including an older one, at the size and distance it will really be used.
You can add your logo, choose shapes and colours and add a frame in QR Flip's design editor. Create a QR code to try it.