What QR codes can actually do
Most people think of QR codes as just links — scan it, website opens. But the QR format supports a bunch of different data types that phones know how to handle natively, which makes them genuinely useful beyond just sharing URLs.
Error correction — the setting most people ignore
Every QR code has a built-in error correction level that determines how much of the code can be damaged or obscured while still being readable. There are four levels:
- L (Low) — recovers up to 7% damage. Smallest code, least redundancy. Good for clean digital display where the code won't get scratched.
- M (Medium) — recovers up to 15%. The default for most purposes — a good balance.
- Q (Quartile) — recovers up to 25%. Good for printed materials that might get worn or partially covered.
- H (High) — recovers up to 30%. Use this if you're printing on a surface that might get damaged, or if you want to overlay a logo on the QR code itself.
Higher error correction makes the QR code denser and slightly larger, but also more reliable in the real world.
Tip: If you're printing a QR code on a physical product, business card, or signage — use at least Q level. Printed codes get scratched, folded, and partially covered all the time.
PNG vs SVG — which to download
PNG is fine for digital use — screens, websites, presentations, social media. It's a fixed resolution so if you scale it up a lot it can look pixelated, but at the sizes you'll actually use it for, that's rarely an issue.
SVG is better for print. It's a vector format — infinitely scalable with no quality loss. If you're sending a QR code to a printer or putting it on a sign, download the SVG.
WiFi QR codes — the most underrated use
A WiFi QR code is probably the most immediately useful thing you can make. Generate one for your home network, print it out, and stick it near your router or at your front door. Guests just scan it — no spelling out the password, no confusion about uppercase vs lowercase.
The format encodes your network name, password, and security type (WPA/WPA2 for most modern routers). When someone scans it with their phone, iOS and Android both prompt them to join the network automatically.
Decoding a QR code from an image
The same tool also reads QR codes. Drop any image containing a QR code and it decodes the content instantly — useful when you have a screenshot of a QR code and want to know what's inside without pointing your phone at the screen, or when you're on a desktop and can't easily use your camera.
It automatically detects the content type and gives you the right action — open a URL, copy the text, or save a contact.
Privacy — why it matters for QR generators
Most QR generator websites work server-side — you submit your URL or data, their server generates the image, and sends it back. That means your data (including WiFi passwords and contact information) passes through a third party's infrastructure.
Filesmith's QR generator runs entirely in your browser. The QR image is generated locally using JavaScript — your URLs, passwords, and contact details never leave your device.