A logo in the center of a QR code makes it instantly recognizable as yours — but a QR code is really a grid of error-correcting data, and covering part of it with an image only works within specific limits. Here's exactly how error correction, size, and placement interact, and where the line actually is.
Why you can cover part of a QR code at all
QR codes include built-in redundancy called error correction, originally designed so a scratched or dirty code still scans. The highest level (H) can recover roughly 30% of the code's data — which is what makes covering the center with a logo possible without breaking the scan, as long as you stay within that budget.
The three variables that actually matter
- Size. Keep the logo under roughly 20-25% of the code's total area. Past that, you're spending more of the error-correction budget than a logo alone should cost.
- Error correction level. Always use the highest setting (H) when adding a logo — lower levels leave far less room before the code stops scanning reliably.
- Contrast and complexity. A simple, high-contrast logo (a solid mark or letterform) interferes less than a detailed, low-contrast image at the same size.
Where to place it
- Center is standard and safest. QR scanners rely on the three corner "finder patterns" to orient the code — never place a logo over a corner.
- Keep it symmetric. An off-center logo can throw off some scanners more than a centered one at the same size.
Build yours in the editor → capyqr.com
How to do it in practice
- Use a generator that previews scannability live, like Capy QR's editor — it applies high error correction automatically when you add a logo.
- Upload a simple, high-contrast version of your logo rather than a busy or low-contrast one.
- Always test with two different phones before printing at scale — camera quality and scanner software vary enough that "it worked on my phone" isn't proof it'll work everywhere.
A logo-ready code
Here's a Capy QR styled and ready for a logo upload, with color matching built in:
Frequently asked questions
- How do I add a logo to a QR code without breaking it?
- Keep the logo under about 20-25% of the code's total area, use high error correction (level H), and keep strong contrast between the logo and the surrounding modules. Always test the specific result with two different phones before printing at scale.
- What is error correction, and why does it matter for a logo?
- QR codes include built-in redundancy so they still scan even if part of the code is damaged, dirty, or covered — that's error correction. Level H recovers up to about 30% of the code, which is what makes covering the center with a logo possible at all.
- How big can a QR code logo be before scans start failing?
- As a rule of thumb, don't exceed roughly 20-25% of the code's area with high error correction enabled. Past that, especially combined with low contrast or a busy logo shape, scan reliability drops meaningfully — always test before committing to a print run.
- Does the logo's shape matter, not just its size?
- Yes — a simple, high-contrast logo (a solid shape or letterform) interferes less than a detailed, low-contrast image. Complex logos with fine detail or low contrast against the code effectively "use up" more of your error-correction budget for the same visual size.
- Should I place the logo in the center or somewhere else?
- The center is standard and safest — QR codes are read in a way that tolerates center damage better than damage near the three corner finder patterns, which the scanner uses to orient the code. Never place a logo over a corner.
Bottom line: keep the logo under ~20-25% of the code, use high error correction, and test before printing — that's the whole formula. Ready to try it? Open the editor or browse more QR guides.