Barcode Generator

Which barcode format should I use?

• CODE128 — the best general-purpose choice. Encodes any ASCII character (letters, numbers, symbols) with high density and a built-in check digit. Used for shipping labels, logistics, asset tags and internal inventory.
• EAN-13 — the 13-digit retail barcode used on products sold outside North America. The 12 data digits usually come from GS1; the 13th is a check digit calculated automatically.
• UPC-A — the 12-digit retail code used in the US and Canada. Structurally a subset of EAN-13 (an EAN-13 starting with 0).
• CODE39 — an older alphanumeric format (uppercase letters, digits and a few symbols) still common in defence, automotive and healthcare because almost every scanner reads it.
• ITF-14 — a 14-digit interleaved format printed on cartons and outer cases to identify trade items at the shipping level; tolerant of lower-quality corrugated printing.
• MSI (Modified Plessey) — a numeric-only format used mainly for shelf labels and library inventory.

Getting a barcode that actually scans

Most scan failures come down to size and contrast, not the encoder. Keep dark bars on a light background — black on white is safest — and never invert the colours. Leave a quiet zone (blank margin) of at least 10 times the narrowest bar width on both sides; the margin setting here controls that. For retail EAN/UPC codes the nominal size is about 37 × 26 mm, and you should not shrink below 80% of that.

Download the PNG at a large bar width (3–4) and scale it down in your layout software rather than upscaling a small image, which blurs the bar edges. If you need vector output for professional print, the Barcode Studio tool exports SVG.

Barcodes vs QR codes

1D barcodes like the ones generated here store a short identifier — typically a product or asset number — and are read by laser and CCD scanners at point-of-sale and in warehouses. If you need to encode a URL, contact card, Wi-Fi credentials or more than a few dozen characters, a 2D code is more appropriate; use the QR Code Generator instead.

How to use the Barcode Generator

1. 1Choose a format. Select CODE128 for general use, EAN-13 or UPC-A for retail products, CODE39 for legacy systems, ITF-14 for shipping cartons, or MSI for shelf labels.
2. 2Enter the value. Type the number or text to encode. EAN-13 needs 12 or 13 digits and UPC-A needs 11 or 12; the check digit is validated or calculated for you.
3. 3Style the barcode. Set the bar width, height, margin, font size and colours. Toggle the human-readable text underneath on or off.
4. 4Download. Click Download to save a PNG. Use a larger bar width if the barcode will be printed at a large physical size.

Frequently asked questions

Is this barcode generator free for commercial use?

Yes. The barcodes you generate are yours to use on products, labels, invoices and packaging without attribution or fees. Note that for retail EAN/UPC codes you still need a GS1-issued company prefix so the number itself is globally unique.

Why does my EAN-13 or UPC value show an error?

EAN-13 requires exactly 12 digits (the check digit is added) or 13 digits with a correct check digit; UPC-A requires 11 or 12 digits. Letters and symbols are not allowed in these retail formats — use CODE128 if you need them.

Can I generate many barcodes at once?

This tool creates one barcode at a time with full styling control. For batch generation from a list of values, sequential numbering and SVG export, use the Barcode Studio tool on AnyKit.

What resolution is the downloaded image?

The PNG is rendered at the pixel dimensions you see on screen, determined by the bar width, height and margin settings. Increase the bar width to 3 or 4 for a higher-resolution image that stays sharp when printed at 300 DPI.

Does the barcode data get uploaded anywhere?

No. Encoding and rendering happen entirely in your browser with the JsBarcode library. Nothing is sent to a server, so it is safe for internal part numbers and unreleased product codes.