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Barcode Generator

Create scannable barcodes for products, labels, and inventory. Choose format, customize size, and download instantly.

Enter a value and click "Generate Barcode".

About Barcode Generator Online — Free Barcode Maker

This free barcode generator online creates print-ready barcodes in the most widely used formats — CODE128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, CODE39, and ITF-14 — entirely in your browser. Enter a value, select a format, and download a PNG image in seconds. No account, no watermark, no server upload. Whether you need a barcode for a product label, shipping carton, internal asset tag, or event pass, this free barcode maker delivers a usable result immediately.

Small business owners use it to create product barcodes before their GS1 registration arrives. Warehouse managers generate internal tracking labels on demand. Teachers and trainers produce scannable handouts and materials. Developers test barcode scanning apps and point-of-sale integrations. Event organisers print ticket barcodes for custom registration workflows. Because the barcode generator online runs entirely client-side, sensitive inventory numbers and product codes never leave your device.

How to Use the Barcode Generator

  1. Select a format — Choose the barcode symbology that matches your use case from the Format dropdown. If you are unsure, CODE128 works for almost any alphanumeric value.
  2. Enter your value — Type the number or text you want to encode. Fixed-length formats like EAN-13 and UPC-A will show an error if the digit count is wrong.
  3. Adjust display settings — Set the bar width, height, margin, and whether to show the human-readable value beneath the bars.
  4. Click Generate Barcode — The barcode renders instantly in your browser using the JsBarcode library.
  5. Download — Click Download PNG to save the barcode image to your device, ready to paste into Word, Illustrator, Google Docs, or a label template.

Supported Barcode Formats

  • CODE128: The most versatile format. Encodes all 128 ASCII characters — letters, numbers, and symbols. Ideal for shipping labels, internal tracking codes, library systems, and any general-purpose barcode. No fixed length.
  • EAN-13: The global standard for retail product identification. Requires exactly 13 digits. Used on virtually every product sold in supermarkets and shops worldwide. The first 2–3 digits identify the country of origin.
  • EAN-8: A compact 8-digit version of EAN-13 for small product packaging where a full EAN-13 would not fit. Common on cigarettes, confectionery, and cosmetics.
  • UPC-A: The North American equivalent of EAN-13. Requires exactly 12 digits. Used on products sold in US and Canadian retail stores and scanned at point-of-sale terminals.
  • CODE39: An older format supporting uppercase letters, digits 0–9, and a limited set of symbols. Still widely used in automotive, defence, and government applications. No check digit required.
  • ITF-14: A 14-digit format used on shipping cartons and outer packaging. Built on the Interleaved 2-of-5 symbology and encodes GTIN-14 values for logistics and supply chain tracking.

Tips for Getting the Best Results

  • Match the format to the scanner: Not all barcode scanners can read all formats. CODE128 has the widest scanner compatibility. If you are generating barcodes for an existing system, check what format the scanner or software expects before generating.
  • Use sufficient bar height: Taller barcodes are easier to scan, especially on curved surfaces or when labels may be slightly damaged. A height of at least 15mm (around 60px at 96 DPI) is recommended for labels that will be hand-scanned.
  • Leave adequate quiet zones: The white space on either side of the barcode (the quiet zone) is essential for scanners to detect the start and end of the code. Use the Margin setting to ensure enough padding around the bars.
  • Verify the barcode before printing in bulk: Always scan your generated barcode with a real scanner or a phone scanning app before printing hundreds of labels. A check digit error in EAN or UPC formats will cause every label to fail.
  • For retail products, obtain a GS1 prefix: The barcode image itself is free to generate, but the EAN-13 or UPC-A number must be officially registered with GS1 to be accepted by major retailers. Use this free barcode maker for prototyping and internal use, then register your prefix for commercial retail use.

Why Use a Barcode Generator Online

Desktop barcode software can cost hundreds of dollars and requires installation and licensing. This barcode generator online is completely free, works in any modern browser, and produces standard-compliant barcodes without any setup. Because everything runs in JavaScript on your device, your product codes and tracking numbers are never transmitted over the internet — making it safe for confidential inventory data.

Freelancers, startups, and small businesses benefit most from a free barcode maker that does not require a subscription. Designers can quickly prototype label artwork. IT teams can generate asset tags for equipment. Educators can create scannable resources for interactive lessons. The instant download means you can go from idea to printed label in under two minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions about Barcode Generator

Use CODE128 for general-purpose alphanumeric barcodes — it supports any text or number and works with virtually all barcode scanners. Use EAN-13 or UPC-A for retail products that will be scanned at point-of-sale. Use ITF-14 for shipping cartons and outer packaging. Use CODE39 if you need compatibility with older systems or non-standard scanners that may not support CODE128.
EAN-13 requires exactly 13 digits — no letters or symbols. EAN-8 requires exactly 8 digits, and UPC-A requires exactly 12. If you enter the wrong number of digits the generator will show a validation error. Also ensure the final check digit is correct; many EAN-13 generators will recalculate it automatically if you enter only 12 digits, but this tool requires all 13.
Yes — the barcode image you download is yours to use freely. For internal use, asset tracking, or prototyping there are no restrictions. For retail products sold in stores, the barcode number itself (not the image) must be officially registered with GS1 to obtain a valid EAN or UPC prefix. Without GS1 registration, major retailers will not accept the product into their systems.
No. All barcode generation happens entirely in your browser using the JsBarcode JavaScript library. Your product codes, serial numbers, and tracking values never leave your device. There are no server requests, no accounts, and no data logging. This makes the tool safe to use with confidential inventory numbers and sensitive product information.
The barcode is exported as an SVG file, which is a vector format that scales to any size without pixelation. SVG files can be placed directly into Word, InDesign, Illustrator, and most label design software. If you need a raster PNG, you can open the SVG in an image editor and export at your required DPI. Vector output ensures sharp, scannable barcodes at any print size.
EAN-13 is the international standard used in most countries worldwide and encodes 13 digits. UPC-A is the North American standard and encodes 12 digits. Technically, a UPC-A barcode is an EAN-13 barcode with a leading zero — most modern scanners can read both formats interchangeably. If you sell in both the US and internationally, use EAN-13 for maximum compatibility.
Yes. The generator provides controls for bar width, bar height, and margin. Bar width affects the density and minimum scanner distance — wider bars are easier to scan. Bar height affects readability on damaged or curved labels. The margin (quiet zone) controls the white padding around the barcode, which is required for reliable scanning. Toggle the "Show value" option to display or hide the human-readable number beneath the bars.
Standard CODE39 supports only uppercase letters A–Z, digits 0–9, and the symbols dash, dollar sign, percent, space, period, slash, and plus. Lowercase letters are not part of the standard CODE39 character set. If you need to encode lowercase text, use CODE128 instead, which supports all 128 ASCII characters including lowercase letters, punctuation, and control characters.