How to Add a Logo to a QR Code (Without Breaking It)

A QR code with your logo in the middle looks far more trustworthy and on-brand than a plain black-and-white square — and people are more likely to scan it. The trick is doing it without making the code unreadable. Here's how.

Why you can put a logo in the middle at all

QR codes have built-in error correction— they can still be read even when part of the code is covered or damaged. At the highest level (H), roughly 30% of the code can be obscured and it will still scan. That's the headroom your logo uses.

The rules for a logo that still scans

• Use high error correction (level H) when adding a logo.
• Keep the logo small — cover no more than about 20–30% of the center.
• Don't cover the corners — the three large squares are position markers; they must stay clear.
• Keep strong contrast — a dark code on a light background scans best. Avoid light-on-light.
• Leave the quiet zone — keep clear margin around the whole code.

Pick colors that scan

You can brand a code with your colors, but the foreground must stay clearly darker than the background. If you're matching brand colors, our color converter helps you get exact HEX/RGB values. Avoid inverting the code (light modules on a dark background) unless you test it thoroughly.

Make one

Start with our free QR code generator for a quick code. To add a center logo, custom colors, and styled modules — and to make it a dynamic code you can edit and track — create a free OhoTool account.

Always test before printing

A logo that's slightly too big can quietly break scanning on some phones. Before you print anything, scan the final code with two or three different devices from a normal distance. If it hesitates, shrink the logo or raise the error correction.

Bonus: a WiFi code to match

Branding a code for a café or office? Print a matching WiFi QR code so guests can connect by scanning — no password typing required.