Barcode Generator
Generate barcodes
Code 39 format. Supports A–Z, 0–9, space, and - . $ / + %
About Barcode Generator
Barcode Generator is a free online tool that creates barcodes in multiple industry-standard formats. Enter your data, select the barcode symbology (Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 39, ITF, and more), and the tool generates a downloadable barcode image in PNG or SVG format.
Barcodes are machine-readable representations of data — typically numbers or short text strings — encoded as patterns of parallel lines (1D barcodes) or dots and squares (2D barcodes like QR codes). They enable rapid, error-free data entry for inventory management, retail point-of-sale, logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing. A barcode scanner reads a barcode in milliseconds with near-zero error rate, compared to seconds and potential errors for manual keyboard entry.
Different barcode formats serve different purposes. Code 128 is the most versatile, supporting all 128 ASCII characters and widely used in logistics and packaging. EAN-13 is the standard retail barcode for products sold in Europe and most of the world — 13 digits identifying the country, company, and product. UPC-A is the North American equivalent — 12 digits used on virtually all retail products in the US and Canada. Code 39 is older and simpler, supporting capital letters, numbers, and a limited symbol set — used in automotive and defence industries. QR codes are 2D barcodes with much higher data capacity and error correction.
For retail use, EAN-13 and UPC barcodes must be registered with GS1 (the global barcode standards organisation) to be valid for retail sale through major retailers. The barcode number must be unique to your product and licensed from GS1. This generator can create properly formatted barcodes for any valid EAN/UPC number — obtaining the number itself requires GS1 registration.
How to Use Barcode Generator
- 1Enter the data to encode (numbers or text depending on the format)
- 2Select the barcode format (Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 39, etc.)
- 3Adjust width, height, and font size options as needed
- 4Click "Generate Barcode" to create the barcode
- 5Download as PNG or SVG for use in labels, documents, or print files
Frequently Asked Questions
Code 128 encodes all 128 ASCII characters and is used for internal logistics and shipping labels. EAN-13 encodes exactly 13 digits and is the global standard for retail product identification (the barcode on grocery and retail products). They serve different industries and purposes.
For internal testing and development, yes. For commercial retail use, EAN/UPC numbers must be officially assigned by GS1 to guarantee global uniqueness. Using unofficial numbers on products sold through major retailers will cause conflicts.
SVG (vector) is best for print use — it scales to any size without quality loss. PNG (raster) is better for digital use in documents, websites, and systems that do not support SVG. For printing barcode labels, SVG at 300+ DPI is recommended.
Traditional barcodes (1D) encode data as parallel lines readable by linear scanners, storing typically 8–25 characters. QR codes (2D) encode data as a grid of dots, storing up to 4,296 characters including URLs and contact information. Use the QR Code Generator for QR codes.
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