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Barcode Generator

Generate barcodes in CODE128, EAN-13, UPC, CODE39, ITF-14 and more — download PNG or SVG

Select Format

Enter a value to generate barcode

Customize Appearance
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Bulk Generator

Generate multiple barcodes at once — one value per line

How to Use

1

Choose Format

Select the barcode format that fits your use case (e.g. EAN-13 for retail products).

2

Enter Value

Type in the value to encode. Each format has specific requirements shown below the input.

3

Customize & Download

Adjust colors, size and style, then download as SVG (vector) or PNG (image).

Format Guide

  • CODE128 — Any text/numbers. Most versatile.
  • EAN-13 — 13 digits. Retail products worldwide.
  • EAN-8 — 8 digits. Small retail items.
  • UPC-A — 12 digits. US/Canada retail.
  • UPC-E — 6 digits. Compact UPC.
  • CODE39 — Alphanumeric. Industry/logistics.
  • ITF-14 — 14 digits. Shipping cartons.
  • Codabar — Libraries & blood banks.
  • MSI — Inventory & warehousing.
  • Pharmacode — Pharmaceutical packaging.

Features

  • 10+ barcode formats
  • SVG & PNG download
  • Custom colors & sizes
  • Bulk generation
  • Real-time preview
  • 100% browser-based
  • No watermarks

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Free Barcode Generator Online

Create professional barcodes in 20+ formats including CODE128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, CODE39, ITF-14, Codabar and Pharmacode. Download as scalable SVG (perfect for print) or high-resolution 3× PNG. Generate bulk barcodes from a list with one click.

Features

20+ Formats

CODE128, EAN-13, EAN-8, EAN-5, EAN-2, UPC-A, UPC-E, CODE39, ITF-14, ITF, MSI variants, Codabar and Pharmacode.

SVG & PNG Download

Download as scalable vector SVG for print or 3× high-resolution PNG for digital use.

Full Customisation

Adjust bar colour, background, bar width, height, font size, margin and label visibility.

Real-Time Validation

Format-specific validation catches errors before generating, with helpful guidance.

Bulk Generator

Generate multiple barcodes from a list and download all as PNG files at once.

Format Guide

Clear explanations of each format's intended use case and character requirements.

Who Uses This Tool?

RetailersGenerate EAN-13 or UPC-A barcodes for product labelling and POS systems.
LogisticsCreate CODE128 or ITF-14 barcodes for shipping labels and carton tracking.
PublishersGenerate ISBN barcodes (EAN-13) for book covers and library systems.
WarehousingProduce CODE39 or MSI barcodes for internal inventory management systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most versatile barcode format?
CODE128 is the most versatile — it supports all ASCII characters with no length limit and is accepted by virtually all barcode scanners. Use it when a specific format is not required.
What barcode should I use for retail products?
EAN-13 (Europe and worldwide) or UPC-A (North America) are the standard formats for retail. You must register with GS1 to obtain a legitimate EAN/UPC company prefix.
What is the difference between SVG and PNG?
SVG is a vector format that scales to any size without losing quality — ideal for print. PNG is a raster format at a fixed resolution — our 3× export ensures sharp results for most digital uses.
Why does my EAN-13 need only 12 digits?
EAN-13 has 12 data digits plus a 13th check digit that is calculated automatically from the first 12. Our generator computes and appends the check digit for you.

Pro Tip

For retail barcodes, always test scan with multiple barcode readers before printing at scale. Print barcodes at a minimum size of 25mm wide with quiet zones on both sides. Avoid printing on coloured backgrounds — always use white or very light colours.

Did You Know?

1974
First Product Scanned with Barcode
The first retail product scanned with a barcode was a 10-pack of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit chewing gum at a Marsh supermarket in Troy, Ohio on June 26, 1974. The pack is now in the Smithsonian Institution. The price: 67 cents.
2 billion
Barcodes Scanned Daily
Approximately 2 billion barcodes are scanned worldwide every day. They appear on virtually every product sold in retail, enabling the just-in-time supply chains that power modern commerce.
CODE128
Most Versatile Barcode
CODE128 can encode all 128 ASCII characters including lowercase letters, making it the most flexible 1D barcode format. FedEx, UPS, Amazon and most major shipping companies use CODE128 on their labels.

Barcode Format Selection Guide

FormatData TypeMax LengthTypical UseScanner Type
CODE128Any ASCIIUnlimitedShipping, general retailAny
EAN-13Numbers only12 + checkRetail products (worldwide)Laser/camera
EAN-8Numbers only7 + checkSmall retail productsLaser/camera
UPC-ANumbers only11 + checkRetail (North America)Laser/camera
CODE39Uppercase + symbolsVariableAutomotive, defense, IDLaser/camera
ITF-14Numbers only14Shipping cartons (outer)Laser/camera
CodabarNumbers + symbolsVariableLibraries, blood banksLaser/camera
QR CodeAny data4,296 alphanumericMobile, URLs, contact infoCamera only

More Questions

What is the check digit in EAN-13 and UPC barcodes?
The check digit is the 13th digit of EAN-13 (or 12th of UPC) — calculated from the preceding digits using a weighted modulo-10 algorithm. Scanners compute the expected check digit and reject the scan if it doesn't match, catching transmission errors. Our generator computes and appends the check digit automatically when you enter 12 digits.
How do I get an official EAN/UPC barcode for a product?
To sell products in retail stores, you need a genuine company prefix from GS1 (global standards organisation). Prices vary by country and number of products. GS1 US charges $250 for 10 product codes. Once registered, you use your prefix to generate unique GTINs (Global Trade Item Numbers) for each product. Never use "fake" barcodes — retailers can reject products if codes aren't registered.
What is the difference between 1D and 2D barcodes?
1D barcodes (CODE128, EAN, UPC) encode data in horizontal bars — readable by simple laser scanners. They hold limited data (20–80 characters typically). 2D barcodes (QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF417) encode data in both dimensions using patterns — require image-based scanners or cameras. QR codes can hold 4,000+ characters. Use 1D for retail and logistics where high-speed laser scanners are used; 2D for everything else.

Common Mistakes

Printing barcodes below minimum size
EAN-13 minimum print size is 37.29mm × 26.26mm at 80% magnification. Smaller barcodes fail to scan reliably, especially in poor lighting or with older scanners.
Never print retail barcodes below 80% of the standard size. Test scan before committing to print.
Using self-generated codes for retail without GS1 registration
Retailers run barcode lookups against GS1 databases. Unregistered codes cause rejection at receiving, POS errors and supply chain failures.
Register with GS1 in your country for any product entering retail channels. Generate your own codes only for internal tracking.
Printing barcodes on coloured backgrounds
Laser scanners read reflected light contrast. Red backgrounds absorb the red laser, making CODE red-background combinations unreadable. Blue and yellow also cause issues.
Always print barcodes black on white. Avoid any background colour under or around the barcode.