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Barcode Generator

Choose a format — UPC-A, EAN-13, EAN-8, Code 128, Code 39, ITF-14 or Codabar — type the value and download a PNG or SVG. Check digits are calculated or verified for you. Use Code 128 for internal and shipping labels; barcodes for retail shelves need a number allocated to you by GS1.

Runs entirely in your browser

Updated

How to use the Barcode Generator

  1. 1Pick the barcode format you need.
  2. 2Type the value — the tool tells you immediately if it is not valid for that format.
  3. 3Adjust bar width, height and whether the text is shown underneath.
  4. 4Download as PNG or SVG.

How it works

Each format encodes characters as a pattern of bars and spaces of varying widths, and each has its own rules about what it can hold. CODE128 takes any ASCII text and is the workhorse for shipping and internal labels. EAN-13 and UPC-A are the fixed-length retail formats you see on products, and both require a check digit.

The check digit is calculated for you. It comes from a weighted sum of the other digits, and it lets a scanner detect a misread rather than silently returning the wrong product. Type twelve digits for an EAN-13 and the thirteenth is added automatically; type all thirteen and the tool verifies it.

For real retail use, the number itself has to be allocated to you by GS1 — a barcode you invent will scan, but it will not identify your product in any retailer's system. For internal stock control, warehouse labels and asset tags, any value you like is fine.

Tips and common mistakes

  • For products sold in shops, get the number from GS1 in your country before generating the barcode.
  • Download SVG for printing so the bars stay sharp at any size.
  • Print black bars on a white background; red bars cannot be read by most scanners.
  • Scan a test print with a real scanner or a barcode app before printing labels in bulk.

Frequently asked questions

Which barcode format should I use?
CODE128 for internal labels, shipping and anything alphanumeric. EAN-13 for retail products outside North America, UPC-A inside it. ITF-14 for outer cartons.
What is a check digit?
A final digit computed from the others so scanners can catch misreads. This tool calculates it automatically and validates one if you supply it.
Can I use these barcodes on products I sell in shops?
Only with a number allocated to you by GS1. The barcode will scan regardless, but retail systems identify products by the number, and unregistered numbers are not recognised.
Why is my value rejected?
Each format has strict rules — EAN-13 needs exactly 12 or 13 digits, UPC-A needs 11 or 12, and CODE39 accepts only a limited character set. The message under the field explains what is expected.
Which barcode has 12 digits, and which has 13?
A 12-digit retail barcode is UPC-A, also called UCC-12. A 13-digit one is EAN-13, which Japan calls JAN. EAN-8 is the 8-digit version for small packs. In each case you can type the digits without the last one and the check digit is added for you.
How do I turn a UPC into an EAN?
Put a 0 in front of it. A 12-digit UPC-A with a leading zero is a valid 13-digit EAN-13, and the check digit stays the same, because the extra zero adds nothing to the weighted sum.
Is Code 128 the same as EAN-128 or GS1-128?
Not quite. GS1-128, formerly called EAN-128 or UCC-128, is Code 128 with a special FNC1 start character and GS1 application identifiers for things like batch numbers and expiry dates. This tool makes standard Code 128, which suits internal and shipping labels, but it does not add FNC1, so it cannot produce certified GS1-128 labels.
What size should a printed retail barcode be?
The standard EAN-13 symbol, including its margins, is 37.29 mm wide and 25.93 mm high. GS1's rules allow printing between 80% and 200% of that size.
Can I make a barcode for a book's ISBN?
Yes. A 13-digit ISBN starting 978 or 979 is printed as an EAN-13 barcode. Choose EAN-13 and enter the ISBN without hyphens.
Why won't my phone's camera scan the barcode?
Most built-in camera apps read QR codes but not product barcodes. Use a barcode scanner app, and make sure the print has good contrast and clear margins either side.
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