How to add a logo to a QR code (free, no sign-up)
You can add a logo to the center of any QR code for free at oneclickqrcode.com. Just upload your image, and the tool places it in the middle automatically — no design skills needed, no account required.
Why add a logo to your QR code?
A plain black-and-white QR code does its job, but it doesn't say anything about your brand. Adding a logo to the center changes that. It tells people who the QR code belongs to before they even scan it.
Here's why that matters:
- Brand recognition — a QR code with your logo on a flyer or poster is instantly recognizable as yours. People associate the code with your business, not just a random square
- Trust — people are more likely to scan a QR code when they can see a familiar logo. An anonymous QR code on a random sticker feels sketchy. One with your café's logo on it feels safe
- Professionalism — a branded QR code looks intentional. It says you put thought into the details, which reflects well on your business
- Visual appeal — let's be honest, QR codes aren't the prettiest things. A logo in the center breaks up the pattern and makes it look more polished
You see branded QR codes everywhere now — on product packaging, business cards, restaurant menus, event tickets, marketing materials. It's become the standard for any business that takes its visual identity seriously.
How QR codes survive having a logo in the middle
You might wonder: doesn't covering part of the QR code with an image break it? Good question. The short answer is no, thanks to something called error correction.
QR codes are designed with built-in redundancy. The data is encoded multiple times across the pattern, so even if part of the code is damaged, obscured, or — in this case — covered by a logo, scanners can still read it.
There are four levels of error correction:
| Level | Recovery | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| L (Low) | 7% | Can lose 7% of the code and still work |
| M (Medium) | 15% | Default for most QR codes |
| Q (Quartile) | 25% | Good balance for logos |
| H (High) | 30% | Best for QR codes with logos |
When you add a logo at oneclickqrcode.com, the tool automatically switches to High (H) error correction. This means up to 30% of the QR code can be obscured and it will still scan perfectly. The logo typically covers about 15-20% of the code, well within that safety margin.
You don't need to configure this yourself — it happens automatically when you upload an image.
Step-by-step: adding a logo to your QR code
Here's exactly how to do it:
1. Go to oneclickqrcode.com
Open oneclickqrcode.com in any browser. Works on desktop, tablet, or phone.
2. Enter your content
Type or paste whatever you want the QR code to link to. This could be:
- A URL (e.g. your website, a Google Maps link, a menu page)
- Plain text (a message, a coupon code)
- Wi-Fi credentials (switch to the Wi-Fi type using the dropdown)
- An email address (with optional subject and body)
- A contact card (name, phone, email, company)
The QR code preview appears on the right as soon as you start typing.
3. Upload your logo
Once you have content entered, the customization panel expands below the input. Look for the Center logo section. You have two ways to add your image:
- Click the upload area and select a file from your computer
- Drag and drop your image file directly onto the upload zone
The tool accepts these formats: PNG, JPEG, SVG, and WebP.
Your logo appears in the center of the QR code immediately. The preview updates in real time.
4. Adjust your design (optional)
While you're at it, you might want to customize the rest of the QR code to match your brand:
- Foreground color — change the dots from black to your brand color
- Background color — change from white to any color (or keep it white for maximum scannability)
- Dot style — choose between square, dots, or rounded patterns
- Corner style — square, dots, or rounded corners
A quick warning: if your foreground and background colors are too similar, the tool will show a contrast warning with the exact ratio. Aim for at least 3:1 contrast to make sure scanners can read the code reliably.
5. Download
Choose your format and size:
- PNG — best for most uses. Available in 256px, 512px, 1024px, or 2048px
- SVG — vector format that scales to any size. Perfect for print designers
- JPG — works fine, but doesn't support transparent backgrounds
Hit the Download button. Your branded QR code is saved to your device. Done.
Tips for the best results
Choose the right logo file
- Use a simple logo — intricate logos with lots of fine detail may not be visible at the small size they'll appear in the QR code center. A simple icon or logomark works better than a full wordmark
- Use a square or circular logo — the center area of a QR code is roughly square. A wide horizontal logo will appear very small. If your logo is horizontal, consider using just the icon portion
- Use a transparent background — a PNG or SVG with a transparent background will blend seamlessly into the QR code. If your logo has a white background on a white QR code, that's fine too — but transparency gives you more flexibility
- Keep file size reasonable — the image is processed in your browser, so a massive 10MB file will work but might feel sluggish. A few hundred KB is ideal
Color combinations that work
Here are some tried-and-true combinations for branded QR codes:
- Dark foreground + white background + colored logo — the classic. Your brand color appears only in the logo, keeping the code maximally scannable
- Brand color foreground + white background — makes the entire code your brand color. Bold and recognizable
- Dark foreground + brand color background — subtle, works well when printed on brand-colored materials
- White foreground + dark background — inverted QR codes work too, and they look great on dark surfaces
The key rule: maintain contrast. The dots need to be clearly distinct from the background for scanners to read the code. The tool shows you the exact contrast ratio and warns you if it's too low.
Test before printing
Always scan your QR code with your phone before printing 500 flyers. Specifically:
- Test with the default camera app — both iPhone and Android can scan QR codes directly from the camera
- Test at the size you'll print — a QR code that scans fine on your screen might be too small when printed on a business card. Print one test copy first
- Test in different lighting — if the QR code will be displayed outdoors or in dim lighting, make sure it still scans in those conditions
- Test with the logo — the error correction should handle it, but it takes two seconds to verify
Common mistakes to avoid
Logo is too large
If you manually resize or crop a logo to fill as much of the center as possible, you might push past the 30% coverage threshold. The tool at oneclickqrcode.com automatically sizes the logo to about 40% of the QR code width with appropriate margins, which is the sweet spot. Trust the default sizing.
Not enough contrast
A dark green QR code on a dark blue background might look stylish, but scanners will struggle. The tool will warn you when contrast drops below 3:1 — take that warning seriously.
Using a low-resolution logo
If your logo is 50x50 pixels, it will look blurry in the center of a 2048px QR code. Use the highest resolution version of your logo that you have. SVG files are ideal because they scale perfectly to any size.
Forgetting to test
This one is simple but critical. Every phone, every camera app, every scanning environment is slightly different. A two-second test on your phone can save you from printing hundreds of unscannable QR codes.
Where to use branded QR codes
Once you've created your QR code with a logo, here's where it makes the biggest impact:
Business cards
A QR code with your company logo on a business card lets the recipient scan to save your contact info, visit your website, or connect on LinkedIn. Check out our full guide on how to make a QR code for your business card — it covers vCard setup, design placement, and printing tips.
Marketing materials
Flyers, brochures, posters — any printed marketing material benefits from a branded QR code. It connects the physical piece to a digital destination (your website, a special offer, a video) while reinforcing your visual identity.
Product packaging
Add a QR code to your packaging that links to setup instructions, recipe ideas, warranty registration, or a feedback form. The logo tells customers it's an official link, not something sketchy.
Restaurant menus
A QR code with your restaurant's logo on the table links to your digital menu. It looks professional and customers trust it immediately because they recognize the branding.
Event materials
Conference badges, event programs, booth displays — QR codes with your event logo help attendees quickly access schedules, maps, Wi-Fi passwords, or speaker info.
What formats should you download?
The format you choose depends on where the QR code will be used:
| Use case | Recommended format | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Social media / websites | PNG | 512px or 1024px |
| Business cards | PNG or SVG | 1024px+ or SVG |
| Flyers / posters | SVG or PNG | SVG or 2048px |
| Large format (banners) | SVG | SVG (scales infinitely) |
| Email signatures | PNG | 256px or 512px |
SVG is always the safest bet for print because it's a vector format — it scales to any size without losing quality. PNG at 2048px is plenty for most print applications. For detailed sizing recommendations by use case, see our QR code size guide.
If you want the QR code to sit on a colored surface without a white box around it, toggle the "No background" option before downloading. This gives you a transparent background (available for PNG and SVG, not JPG).
FAQ
Does the logo reduce the QR code's scannability?
Not if done correctly. The tool automatically increases error correction to the highest level (H, 30% recovery) when a logo is present. The logo covers roughly 15-20% of the code — well within the recovery threshold. In practice, every modern phone camera can read it without issues.
What logo formats are supported?
PNG, JPEG, SVG, and WebP. For best results, use a PNG or SVG with a transparent background.
Can I remove the logo after adding it?
Yes. After uploading a logo, a "Remove" button appears next to the preview. Click it to go back to a logo-free QR code.
Is my logo uploaded to a server?
No. Everything at oneclickqrcode.com runs entirely in your browser. Your logo file is processed locally on your device — it's never uploaded, stored, or seen by anyone else.
Can I add text instead of a logo?
Not directly. The tool accepts image files, not text input for the center. If you want text in the center, create a simple image of your text (in Figma, Canva, or even PowerPoint) and upload that.
Does it cost anything?
No. Adding a logo is completely free. No watermarks, no limits, no account required.
Create your branded QR code with a custom logo at oneclickqrcode.com — it's free and takes about 30 seconds.
Founder of oneclickqrcode.com