What is a barcode generator, and why would I need one?

A barcode generator turns a number or a piece of text into the exact pattern of bars, spaces or modules that a scanner can read. You need one whenever a physical item has to be identified by machine: products at a till, stock in a warehouse, cases on a pallet, or equipment on a maintenance round. Typing a code by hand is slow and easy to get wrong, while a scan takes a fraction of a second and is far more reliable.

Is this barcode generator really free?

Yes. Generating, previewing and downloading PNG or SVG is free and unlimited, without an account and without a watermark.

Which barcode should I use for my products?

For consumer products sold in shops or marketplaces use EAN-13 (or UPC-A for North America). For internal stock, locations and SKUs use Code 128. For shipping cases use ITF-14, and for batch or expiry data use GS1-128.

What's the main difference between UPC-A and EAN-13 barcodes?

Length and geography. UPC-A holds 12 digits and is the retail standard in the United States and Canada, while EAN-13 holds 13 and is used across the rest of the world. EAN-13 is effectively a superset: a UPC-A number is the same code with a leading zero, so modern retail scanners and marketplace listings accept both. Sell mainly in North America and UPC-A is the safe choice; anywhere else, use EAN-13.

How does the check digit work in UPC-A and EAN-13 barcodes?

The final digit is a modulo-10 checksum derived from every digit before it. Working right to left across the payload, the digits are multiplied alternately by 3 and 1, those products are added together, and the check digit is whatever value lifts the total to the next multiple of ten. You can leave it off here: enter 11 digits for UPC-A or 12 for EAN-13 and the correct digit is appended for you. Paste a full-length number instead and it is verified rather than added, so a mistyped digit is caught before you print thousands of labels.

Do I need to buy barcode numbers?

For internal use you can make up your own numbers. To sell through retailers or marketplaces you need official GTINs from GS1, because those numbers must be globally unique.

What are the common uses and advantages of Code 128 barcodes?

Code 128 encodes the full ASCII set — uppercase, lowercase, digits and punctuation — which makes it the natural fit for SKUs, batch and serial numbers, bin locations and any internal reference that is not purely numeric. It packs that data densely for a 1D symbology and is read by virtually every scanner, so it dominates warehousing, logistics and healthcare. It is also the foundation of GS1-128, which layers application identifiers on top for structured data such as lot numbers and expiry dates.

In what industries are Code 39 barcodes typically used?

Code 39 is the older workhorse of defence, automotive, electronics and healthcare, and it still turns up on library books, ID badges and asset tags. Plenty of long-lived systems and specifications such as MIL-STD and HIBC continue to mandate it, and since it needs no check digit it is simple to print and decode. The trade-offs are a restricted character set — uppercase letters, digits and the symbols - . space $ / + % — and symbols roughly 30% wider than Code 128 for the same data, so prefer Code 128 for new projects unless a standard obliges you to use Code 39.

What data types can a QR code store, and what are its common applications?

Technically any text, but scanners act on well-known prefixes: a URL opens a browser, a vCard or MECARD offers to save a contact, WIFI: joins a network, mailto: or SMSTO: drafts a message, tel: dials, and geo: opens a map. That makes QR codes popular for packaging and poster links, menus, event tickets, payment references, guest Wi-Fi, and serial or service data on equipment. QR also carries error correction, so a symbol still reads with up to roughly 30% of its area damaged, smudged or covered by a logo.

What's the difference between static and dynamic QR codes, and which does this tool generate?

A static QR code carries the data itself, permanently encoded in the pattern. A dynamic one encodes a short redirect URL owned by a third-party service, which can be repointed later and can log every scan. This tool creates static QR codes: they never expire, need no subscription, keep working if a provider shuts down, and record nothing about whoever scans them. The trade-off is that a printed static code cannot be edited — so if you expect the destination to change, encode a URL on your own domain and change the redirect there.

What are the maximum character limits for the different barcode types supported?

The retail symbologies are fixed length: EAN-8 is 8 digits, UPC-A 12, EAN-13 13 and ITF-14 14, each including the check digit you may omit and have calculated. Code 128, Code 39 and Code 93 are variable length with no ceiling in the standard — the real limit is physical width and scanner tolerance, so keep them under roughly 20 to 25 characters for a label meant to scan first time. The 2D symbologies hold far more: about 7,089 digits, 4,296 alphanumeric characters or 2,953 bytes in a QR code, around 3,116 digits in Data Matrix, and roughly 1,850 characters in PDF417. This generator imposes no cap of its own, but long input yields a dense symbol that needs a larger print size and a decent scanner.

What are the benefits of downloading barcodes in SVG format?

SVG is vector, so the barcode stays perfectly sharp at any size, from a 10 mm label to a pallet placard, with no pixelation or soft bar edges. That matters for more than looks: scanning depends on the ratio between bar and space widths remaining exact, and rescaling a PNG can distort it enough to cause misreads. SVG files are also small, print at the full resolution of the press, and open cleanly in Illustrator, Inkscape or InDesign. Use PNG for web shops, emails and quick documents, and SVG for anything heading to print.

How can I scan a barcode or QR code using my smartphone?

On iOS 11 and later, and on most Android phones since Android 8, simply open the built-in Camera app and point it at the code; a banner or button appears for QR codes and links. Android additionally offers Google Lens, and both platforms have free apps that handle 1D retail symbologies such as EAN and UPC, which stock cameras sometimes ignore. You can also use the scanner on this site, which reads codes from your camera or from an uploaded photo without anything leaving your device. Hold the phone 10 to 20 cm away, keep the code flat and evenly lit, and avoid glare on glossy packaging.

Is my data uploaded to a server?

No. The barcode is encoded and rendered by JavaScript inside your browser. The site works even after you go offline.

Can I use these barcodes commercially?

Yes. The generated images are yours to use on packaging, labels, invoices and in your shop, at no cost.

100% free · no sign-up · no watermark

Free barcode generator

Create EAN, UPC, Code 128, ITF-14, GS1-128, ISBN, QR, Data Matrix and PDF417 codes. Unlimited, without an account, and your data never leaves your browser.

Barcode type

Barcode data

Options

Size3×

Bar height12 mm

Show text below barcode

Generated inside your browser — your data never reaches our servers.

Generate by barcode type

Each type has its own page with the correct input rules and answers to common questions.

EAN-13Enter 12 digits — we calculate the check digit for you.EAN-8Enter 7 digits, the check digit is added automatically.UPC-AEnter 11 digits for a valid 12-digit UPC-A.UPC-EEnter 7 or 8 digits — the compact form of UPC-A.ITF-14For cases, trays and trade units (14 digits).GS1-128With Application Identifiers, e.g. (01)(17)(10).ISBNEnter your ISBN with dashes, for example 978-90-274-3964.ISSNFormat XXXX-XXXX, for example 0317-8471.Code 128Letters, digits and symbols in one compact symbol.Code 39The classic symbology for legacy scanners and industry.Code 93More compact than Code 39, with double error checking.QR CodeFor links, text and more — no account, no expiry.Data MatrixThe smallest 2D code — for components and medical products.PDF417Lots of text in one symbol — for documents and tickets.

Why this generator

Truly unlimited

No cap of ten barcodes, no watermark, no account. Generate as many symbols as your job needs.

Your data stays local

Encoding happens in your browser with JavaScript. SKUs, batch numbers and customer data are never uploaded.

Bulk from CSV

Import a spreadsheet, generate hundreds of barcodes at once and download everything as one ZIP file.

Print-ready output

Vector SVG for labels and packaging, PNG for webshops and documents — at the size you choose.

How it works

1
Pick a type
EAN-13 for retail products, Code 128 for internal SKUs, ITF-14 for shipping cases.
2
Enter your data
Leave the check digit out and we calculate it for you following the GS1 standard.
3
Download
Grab a PNG or a vector SVG, or head to the bulk tool for hundreds at once.

Frequently asked questions

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Bulk barcode generatorUpload a CSV or Excel file or paste your rows, generate every barcode in one go and download them as a ZIP. All processing happens in your browser.Bulk Barcode validatorPaste a barcode number to verify its check digit, detect the format and look up the GS1 prefix region.Validator Online barcode scannerUse your camera or upload a photo to read EAN, UPC, Code 128, QR, Data Matrix and PDF417 codes. Nothing is uploaded.Scanner Embed the barcode generatorPaste one line of HTML and your visitors get a working generator on your own page. Free to use commercially, no API key and no back link required.Embed