How to use the Barcode Generator
- 1
Choose the barcode type: Code 128 for general text, EAN-13/UPC-A for retail products, Code 39 or ITF-14 for logistics.
- 2
Type the value. For EAN-13 you can enter 12 digits and the 13th check digit is added automatically.
- 3
Adjust bar width, height, colours and whether the number is printed below the bars.
- 4
Download as PNG or SVG and test it with a scanner before printing labels in bulk.
Features & benefits
Six common symbologies
Code 128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, Code 39 and ITF-14 cover retail, inventory and shipping.
Automatic check digits
EAN and UPC check digits are calculated and validated for you.
Instant validation
You are told immediately if a value contains characters the chosen type can't encode.
Vector & bitmap
SVG for perfect printing at any size, PNG for documents and websites.
Which barcode type do you need?
EAN-13 (and UPC-A in North America) is the barcode on retail products. To sell in shops you need numbers issued by your national GS1 organisation — making up a number may clash with another company's product. For internal use such as stock labels or library systems, Code 128 is the most flexible choice: it encodes letters, digits and symbols compactly.
Code 39 is older and less dense but still common in industry and government. ITF-14 is used on outer cartons of products. Whatever the type, print barcodes in dark ink on a light background, keep blank margins on both sides and avoid stretching the image, which changes the bar widths scanners rely on.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use these barcodes on products I sell?
The images are valid barcodes, but retail EAN/UPC numbers must be registered with GS1 so they are unique worldwide. For internal labels you can use any number.
What is a check digit?
The last digit of an EAN or UPC is calculated from the others, letting scanners detect misreads. Enter 12 digits for EAN-13 and we add the 13th.
Can Code 128 contain letters?
Yes. Code 128 supports all printable ASCII characters, including upper- and lowercase letters, digits and punctuation.
Why does my barcode not scan after printing?
Common causes are low print resolution, stretching the image, too little blank margin or low contrast. Download the SVG and print at 100% scale.