Barcode Generator: Create Free Barcodes Online (Code 128, EAN, UPC)
This free barcode generator creates scannable barcodes in your browser. Pick a format such as Code 128, Code 39, EAN-13, UPC-A or ITF-14, enter your number or text, and download the barcode as a PNG or SVG. Check digits are calculated for you, and you can add a caption or make a whole list at once.
Choose a format in the tool above, enter your data and download your barcode.
Use the toolSize, height and colours
The proportions are locked and a blank margin (quiet zone) is always added, so the barcode stays readable at any size. PNG files are never smaller than 300 px wide.
Six barcode types
Code 128, Code 39, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A and ITF-14.
Check digits added
EAN and UPC codes are completed and checked for you.
Bulk sheets and ZIP
Print a sheet of labels or download all as PNG files.
Private by design
Barcodes are drawn in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
Choose a barcode type, enter your data and download the PNG or SVG. Use Code 128 for any text or numbers, and EAN-13 or UPC-A for retail product numbers. Check digits are added for you.
Key Takeaways
- Code 128 accepts any text and numbers, so use it for internal codes, shipping and inventory. EAN-13 and UPC-A are for numeric retail product codes.
- The generator adds the check digit to EAN and UPC codes for you, so a typing slip cannot create an invalid barcode.
- Download PNG for documents and screens, or SVG for sharp printing at any size.
- This tool makes the barcode image. For products sold through retailers, the number itself must come from GS1.
- Always scan a test print before you print a full run.
Free Online Barcode Generator: Make a Barcode in Three Steps
You do not need software or an account. Choose the format, type your data and download the image. The barcode is drawn on your device, so what you enter is never uploaded.
How to Create a Barcode
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1STEP 1 Select a barcode type. If you are unsure, use Code 128 for general text and numbers or EAN-13 for a retail product number.
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2STEP 2 Enter your data. The tool checks the length and characters for the type you chose, and fills in the check digit for EAN and UPC codes.
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3STEP 3 Turn the caption on if you want the number printed under the bars, and choose a size.
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4STEP 4 Check the preview, then download PNG or SVG.
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5STEP 5 Print a test copy and scan it with a phone or a scanner before you use it.
Barcode Types: Which Barcode Format Should You Use?
A barcode type, also called a symbology, is the set of rules that turns data into bars. Different types hold different characters and suit different jobs. Using the wrong one is the most common reason a barcode will not scan or will not be accepted.
| Barcode type | What it holds | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Code 128 | Letters, numbers and symbols (full ASCII) | Shipping labels, inventory, asset tags, internal IDs |
| Code 39 | Capital letters, numbers and a few symbols | Older systems, ID badges, simple internal labels |
| EAN-13 | 13 digits | Retail products outside North America and books (ISBN) |
| UPC-A | 12 digits | Retail products in the United States and Canada |
| EAN-8 | 8 digits | Small packages with little space |
| ITF-14 | 14 digits | Cartons and outer packaging for retail goods |
If your scanner or your customer does not tell you which type to use, choose Code 128. It holds the widest range of characters and is the safest general choice.
Code 128 Barcode Generator
Code 128 is a high-density barcode that can encode all 128 ASCII characters. It uses three character sets (A, B and C) and switches between them as needed. Set C stores two digits in each symbol, so a long run of numbers makes a shorter barcode. The generator picks the shortest combination for you. See Wikipedia's Code 128 article for the full specification history.
Every Code 128 barcode has a built-in check character, calculated by weighting each symbol and finding the remainder after dividing by 103. The generator adds it for you. Code 128 is common in shipping and packaging, and GS1-128 is a standard built on it for labelling cartons and pallets in supply chains.
Code 39 Barcode Generator
Code 39 holds capital letters, digits and a small set of symbols. It is easy to print and read, so it is still used on badges, library cards and older stock systems. It makes a longer barcode than Code 128 for the same data, so choose Code 128 when space is tight.
Lowercase letters are not part of standard Code 39. If you type them, the generator converts them to capitals and tells you. Switch on the optional mod 43 check character if your system asks for one.
EAN-13 and UPC-A Barcode Generator for Products
EAN-13 and UPC-A are the barcodes you see on retail products. An EAN-13 has 13 digits: a three-digit GS1 prefix, a manufacturer code, a product code and a check digit. UPC-A has 12 digits. An EAN-13 that begins with 0 is a UPC-A with a leading zero added. The International Article Number page explains the structure in more detail.
How the Check Digit Is Calculated
The last digit is a check digit, which lets a scanner catch a misread or a typing mistake. To work it out for an EAN-13, multiply the digits by 1 and 3 in turn, with the last data digit multiplied by 3, add the results, and find the amount needed to reach the next multiple of 10.
| Step | Example for 400638133393 |
|---|---|
| Data digits | 4 0 0 6 3 8 1 3 3 3 9 3 |
| Weights from the left | 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 |
| Weighted sum | 4 + 0 + 0 + 18 + 3 + 24 + 1 + 9 + 3 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 89 |
| Next multiple of 10 | 90 |
| Check digit | 1, giving 4006381333931 |
You can type 12 digits and let the generator add the 13th, or type all 13 and it will tell you if the last one is wrong, with a button to fix it.
Do You Need a GS1 Number to Sell Products?
This generator draws a barcode for whatever valid number you give it. It cannot give you a number that belongs to you. Retailers and marketplaces that scan products at the till generally expect numbers licensed through GS1, the organisation that assigns the prefixes. If you plan to sell through them, check their current rules first.
For internal use, such as stock counts in your own shop or storeroom, any consistent number format works. Use Code 128 and keep a record of what each code means.
ITF-14 and ISBN Barcodes
ITF-14 is a 14-digit barcode used on cartons and outer packaging, and it is often printed with a thick bar around it. The generator can add that frame for you. The first digit shows the packaging level, and the other 13 are usually the product number.
Book barcodes are EAN-13 codes that start with 978 or 979, taken from the ISBN. To make an ISBN barcode, enter the 13-digit ISBN without hyphens and choose EAN-13. The generator checks the final digit.
Bulk Barcode Generator: Make a List of Barcodes
Open the Bulk list tab and paste one value per line. The tool makes a barcode for each and shows them in a printable sheet, so you can make labels for a whole shelf or a batch of assets in one go. A column copied from a spreadsheet works as it is. Lines with problems are listed with their line number, and the rest still go through.
- Use the same type for the whole list.
- Keep each value unique, because a scanner cannot tell two identical codes apart. Repeats are flagged for you.
- Turn on the caption so each label shows its number.
- Download all as a ZIP of PNG files, or print the sheet directly.
Barcode Label Generator: Size, Quiet Zone and Print Tips
A barcode that looks fine on screen can fail on paper. Most scanning problems come from a few simple causes.
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Leave a blank margin (quiet zone) on both sides | Scanners need empty space to find where the barcode starts and stops. |
| Use dark bars on a light background | Low contrast, such as grey on white or light bars on dark, scans poorly. |
| Do not stretch or squash the image | Changing the proportions changes bar widths and can make the code unreadable. |
| Print at a high resolution | Blurred bars from a low-resolution print are a common cause of failed scans. |
| Use SVG for large or resized labels | SVG stays sharp at any size, while a small PNG goes soft when enlarged. |
| Test before printing a full run | Scan a sample with the same scanner or phone app your customers will use. |
The generator keeps the proportions fixed and adds a quiet zone around the bars. It also warns you when the colours you pick are too close together to scan. Change the size with the size option, not by dragging the image in another program.
PNG or SVG: Which Download Should You Choose?
| Format | Choose it when |
|---|---|
| PNG | You are adding the barcode to a document, a slide, a web page or an email. |
| SVG | You are sending it to a printer, resizing it, or using it in design software. |
Barcode Generator for Excel, Shopify and Amazon
Spreadsheets can hold barcode data, but they do not draw barcodes on their own without a font or an add-in. A simple route is to keep your list in Excel or Google Sheets, copy the column and paste it into the Bulk list tab.
Shops and marketplaces such as Shopify and Amazon have their own rules about which numbers and labels they accept. Check their current help pages before you print. If you need a QR code instead of a linear barcode, use the QR code generator.
Barcode vs QR Code: What Is the Difference?
A barcode is a row of vertical bars that holds a short number or text. A QR code is a square grid that holds much more, such as a web address, and can be read from any angle. Use a barcode for product and stock numbers that a till or scanner reads, and a QR code when you want people to scan a link with a phone.
Privacy: Your Barcode Data Stays in Your Browser
The barcode is drawn on your device. The numbers and text you enter are not uploaded or stored, and they are gone when you close the tab. Download your files before you leave the page.
FAQs
How do I create a barcode for free?
Choose a barcode type in the generator, enter your number or text, and download the image as a PNG or SVG. Use Code 128 for general text and numbers, and EAN-13 or UPC-A for retail product numbers. The check digit is added for you, and no account is needed.
Which barcode type should I use?
Use Code 128 if you are not sure, because it holds letters, numbers and symbols and suits shipping, inventory and internal IDs. Use EAN-13 or UPC-A for retail products, ITF-14 for cartons and Code 39 for older systems that require it.
What is the difference between UPC and EAN?
UPC-A has 12 digits and is used mainly in the United States and Canada. EAN-13 has 13 digits and is used elsewhere. An EAN-13 that starts with 0 is a UPC-A with a leading zero added, so many systems treat the two as the same number.
How is a barcode check digit calculated?
For EAN-13, multiply the first 12 digits by 1 and 3 in turn, with the last of them multiplied by 3. Add the results, then find the amount needed to reach the next multiple of 10. That amount is the check digit. This generator calculates it automatically.
Can I use a free barcode generator to sell products in stores?
You can make the image for free, but retailers and marketplaces generally expect product numbers licensed through GS1, which a generator cannot provide. Check the rules of the store or marketplace you sell through. For your own stock tracking, any consistent numbering works.
How do I make many barcodes at once?
Open the Bulk list tab and paste one value per line. The tool draws a barcode for each, in a printable sheet or a ZIP of PNG files. Keep every value unique and use one barcode type for the whole list, so a scanner can tell the items apart.
Why will my barcode not scan?
The usual causes are a missing quiet zone, low contrast, a stretched image, a blurry print or the wrong barcode type for the data. Print at a higher resolution, keep the bars dark on a light background, and test the print with the scanner or app you will use.
Are my barcode numbers saved or uploaded?
No. The barcode is drawn in your browser, and the numbers you enter are not sent to a server or stored. They disappear when you close the tab, so download the PNG or SVG before you leave the page.
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