QR code contrast checker: make sure your colored code still scans
Pick the code and background colors and the size of your logo. See the contrast ratio, a live preview, and a clear verdict before anything goes to print.
Good to print · contrast 10.36:1
Strong contrast, dark on light. Phones should read it easily.
Screens are brighter than paper. Print one copy and scan it in the light where it will hang.
Design an on-brand QR code with these colors, and it checks scannability as you go.
Design your QR codeGood to know
Why colored QR codes fail to scan
Phones find a QR code by the difference between its dark modules and its light background. Brand colors that look great on screen can be too close in brightness, especially in dim light or on glossy print. Aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1; below 3:1 many phones struggle.
Inverted codes, with light modules on a dark background, work on most modern phones but not on some older scanners. And a logo in the middle covers part of the code, which it can only survive thanks to error correction. Keep it to about 30 percent of the width, and never more than 40.
How it works
Using the qr code contrast checker
Step 1 of 3
Pick your colors
Choose the color of the code and of the background, or type the hex values from your brand guide.
Step 2 of 3
Set the logo size
If you plan to put a logo in the middle, slide to its size. Leave it at zero for no logo.
Step 3 of 3
Read the verdict
Green means print it, amber means test a printed copy first, and red means change the colors or the logo.
Questions
QR Code Contrast Checker FAQ
- What contrast does a QR code need?
- Aim for 4.5:1 or more between the code and the background. Between 3:1 and 4.5:1 most phones still read it; below 3:1 many do not.
- Can a QR code be colored?
- Yes, as long as the code is clearly darker than the background. Dark blue, green, or burgundy on white or cream all work well.
- Can I use a light QR code on a dark background?
- Most modern phones read inverted codes, but some older scanners do not. If your audience may use older phones, keep the code dark on a light background.
- How big can the logo in a QR code be?
- Keep it to about 30 percent of the code's width. Above 40 percent the code loses too much data to reliably scan.
Related guides
More free QR tools
- QR Code Scanner
Scan a QR code from an image or your camera and check the link before you open it.
- QR Code Size Calculator
Get the minimum and recommended print size for any scanning distance.
- All free QR code generators
Create your first trackable QR code in a minute
Free plan, no credit card. Edit the destination any time and watch the scans come in.