How it works
The Barcode Generator creates standard 1D barcodes in common formats — Code 128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 39, ITF-14, and QR Code — and exports them as PNG, SVG, or PDF at print-ready resolution. Generate product barcodes, inventory labels, shipping labels, and asset tags directly in your browser.
Barcodes are required for retail products (EAN-13 is the global retail standard), inventory management systems (Code 128 is the universal warehouse standard), shipping labels (GS1-128/Code 128), library systems (Codabar), and ID cards. This tool generates standards-compliant barcodes without per-scan licensing fees.
How to use it: select the barcode format. Enter the data to encode (the format determines valid character sets — EAN-13 accepts only 12 digits, Code 128 accepts any ASCII). Set the width, height, and quiet zone. Preview the barcode. Verify the check digit (auto-calculated for EAN/UPC formats). Download.
Format guide: - EAN-13: 13-digit international article number for retail products - UPC-A: 12-digit North American retail barcode - Code 128: variable-length alphanumeric, standard for shipping and logistics - Code 39: alphanumeric, used in healthcare and government - ITF-14: GTIN-14 for outer cartons and case labels - QR Code: 2D matrix, links to URLs and rich data (use the QR Code Generator for QR-specific options)
Check digit: EAN and UPC formats include a check digit as the final character (automatically calculated). The check digit validates the barcode during scanning — an incorrect check digit causes scanners to reject the code.
Privacy: barcode generation uses a pure-JavaScript renderer. No data is transmitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
- EAN-13 (13 digits) is the international retail standard used everywhere outside North America. UPC-A (12 digits) is the North American retail standard. An EAN-13 code beginning with 0 is equivalent to a UPC-A code (the extra leading zero makes it EAN-13 compatible). Global retailers accept both.
- Assign a GS1 Company Prefix through GS1 (the international standards body). Your prefix plus your internal product number forms the 12-digit GTIN. The 13th digit is the check digit, which is calculated automatically by this tool. You need a GS1 license to legally use EAN/UPC barcodes for retail.
- The minimum recommended size for a Code 128 barcode is 1 inch wide (25.4mm). EAN-13 barcodes have a standard size of 37.29mm × 25.93mm, with a tolerance range of 80–200% of standard (29.83mm–74.58mm wide). Below 80% of standard size, scanning reliability degrades significantly.
- Yes. The tool automatically adds the encoded value as human-readable text below the barcode — this is standard for most 1D barcode formats and required for retail compliance. Toggle it off in Advanced mode if your application doesn't need it.