Logo Clear Space and Minimum Size: The Decisions That Matter
Rules that define how much empty space must surround a logo and the smallest size at which it can be reproduced legibly.
Priya Raghunathan
What is at stake
Crowded or tiny logos lose their impact and legibility, and clear rules prevent the most common logo misuse.
The playbook
- Define clear space with a unit taken from the logo
- Set minimum sizes for print and digital
- Provide simplified versions for small uses
- Show examples of correct placement
- Check co-branded layouts against the rules
Where it goes wrong
Avoid:
- Logos crowded by text or edges
- Shrinking detailed logos below legibility
- Rules without visual examples
- Different rules in different documents
The numbers behind it
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Clear space | often defined relative to part of the logo, such as the height of a letter |
| Minimum size | specified for print and screen separately |
| Small-size versions | simplified marks for favicons and small placements |
| Guidelines | should show correct and incorrect examples |
Getting outside help
When to hand it over: Bring in help when logos are frequently misused, or when creating brand guidelines.
Where this comes from
- Material Design — Product icons
- Apple Human Interface Guidelines — App icons
The figures and practices above come from the sources listed.
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