Best QR code colors that still scan
Dark on light, plenty of contrast, and your brand still shows.
The best QR code colors are a dark colour for the squares on a light background, with strong contrast between them. Navy, forest green, burgundy and charcoal on white or cream all scan well. Avoid light squares on dark backgrounds, pale yellows and reds on pink. The generator checks contrast as you choose colours.
Brand colours, still readable
Deep green squares on warm cream keep the brand feel and give the camera all the contrast it needs.
Find the smallest size that scans
Pick colours in three steps
Start with your darkest brand colour
Use it for the squares. Dark navy, green or burgundy read almost like black.
Keep the background light
White, cream or a pale tint of your brand works; busy photos do not.
Colour the eyes last
The three corner squares can carry an accent colour, as long as they stay dark.
Pairs to avoid
Light on dark
Many older scanners expect dark squares, so inverted codes fail on some phones.
Close shades
Mid grey on light grey or red on pink look stylish and scan poorly.
Gradients that fade
A gradient is fine while its lightest point stays much darker than the background.
The contrast rule
- Target
- A contrast ratio of at least 4 to 1 between squares and background.
- Colours print darker or lighter than on screen, so check a printed proof.
Questions and answers
Before you print
- Is it free?
- Fixed codes are free: make as many as you like, download a PNG with no sign-up, and get every other format and print files with a free account. Editable codes come with a plan, a pass, Keep-alive or the 14-day trial.
- Can I change the link after printing?
- Yes, with an editable code. It holds a short link you control, so you can point the printed code somewhere new any time, and the next scan opens the new page. A fixed code keeps the link it was made with.
- Can I use my own domain?
- Yes. A custom domain is included on passes, from Starter, and during the trial. Starter covers one subdomain, for example go.yourbrand.com, and apex domains start on Pro.
- What happens if I stop paying?
- Editable codes work to the end of your paid period, and after a failed payment every code keeps working for 14 days. Turn codes back on within 12 months. Fixed codes keep working as long as their links do.
Can a QR code be any colour?
Almost. The squares need to be clearly darker than the background. Most dark colours work on a light background.
Do coloured QR codes scan worse than black ones?
Not when the contrast is high. Navy on white scans as well as black on white.
Can I put a QR code on a dark background?
Yes, by giving the code its own light panel with a margin, so the squares stay dark on light.
What about transparent backgrounds?
A transparent PNG takes the colour of whatever it sits on. Check that surface is light and plain.
Are gradient QR codes a good idea?
They can look great. Keep the lightest part of the gradient dark enough, and let the check confirm it.
How do I check my colours?
The generator measures contrast as you pick colours and warns you when a phone would struggle.
Try your brand colours
Pick your colours in the generator above and watch the check as you go.