Barcode Generator
Generate Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 39, ITF-14, MSI and Pharmacode barcodes and download them as PNG. Runs entirely in your browser.
A barcode generator renders a value into a scannable one-dimensional symbology such as Code 128, EAN-13 or UPC-A. Code 128 encodes the full ASCII set and is the right choice for anything internal; retail codes need a GS1-issued prefix to be valid in shops.
Runs entirely in your browser · no signup · nothing is uploaded · updated 2026-08-29
Symbology
Any ASCII. The general-purpose default.
How to use it
- 1.Type the value you want encoded.
- 2.Pick the symbology your scanner or retailer expects.
- 3.Download the PNG and print it at a size the scanner can read.
Barcode symbologies compared
Retail codes need a number issued under a GS1 company prefix. Anything internal can use Code 128 with no registration.
| Format | Encodes | Length | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code 128 | Full ASCII | Variable | Anything internal - assets, locations, references |
| Code 39 | A-Z, 0-9, few symbols | Variable | Legacy industrial scanners |
| EAN-13 | Digits | 13 (12 + check) | Retail products outside North America |
| EAN-8 | Digits | 8 | Small retail packaging |
| UPC-A | Digits | 12 | Retail products in North America |
| UPC-E | Digits | 8 | Compressed UPC for small packs |
| ITF-14 | Digits | 14 | Shipping cartons and outer cases |
| Codabar | Digits, ABCD | Variable | Libraries, blood banks, couriers |
Frequently asked questions
Which barcode format should I use?
Code 128 for anything internal - it encodes the full ASCII set and is the most widely scanned. EAN-13 and UPC-A are only for retail products with a registered GS1 number.
Can I make my own EAN-13 number?
You can generate the image, but a valid retail barcode requires a company prefix from GS1. Inventing digits produces a scannable code that collides with someone else's product.
How small can I print a barcode?
Keep the narrowest bar at or above 0.33mm and leave a quiet zone of at least ten times that on each side. Squeezing the quiet zone is the most common reason a printed barcode will not scan.
Why is my value rejected?
Each symbology has strict rules - EAN-13 needs exactly 12 or 13 digits, Code 39 accepts only uppercase and a few symbols, Pharmacode only numbers from 3 to 131070.
What is the difference between a barcode and a QR code?
A barcode is one-dimensional and holds around 20 characters. A QR code is two-dimensional and holds thousands, including URLs. Use a barcode for inventory numbers, a QR code for links.
Do I need to buy a barcode for my product?
For retail, yes - a GS1 company prefix. Retailers reject numbers that do not resolve to a registered owner. For internal warehouse or asset tracking, generate whatever you like.
What is the check digit?
The final digit of EAN and UPC codes, computed from the others. It lets a scanner detect a misread. Enter 12 digits for EAN-13 and the check digit is calculated for you.
What resolution should I export for print?
At least 300 DPI, and never scale the image after export - resampling blurs the bar edges and scanners start failing.
The guide behind this tool
Tools that pair with this one
Converters & calculatorsCode 128 Barcode Generator
Generate a Code 128 barcode from any text or number and download it as a PNG. Full ASCII, automatic subset switching, no signup and nothing uploaded.
Converters & calculatorsEAN-13 Barcode Generator
Generate a valid EAN-13 retail barcode, with the check digit calculated for you, and download it as a print-ready PNG. Free, no signup, nothing uploaded.
Converters & calculatorsUPC Barcode Generator
Generate a 12-digit UPC-A retail barcode with the check digit calculated automatically, and download it as a print-ready PNG. Free and entirely in your browser.
Converters & calculatorsCode 39 Barcode Generator
Generate a Code 39 barcode from uppercase letters, digits and a handful of symbols, and download it as a PNG. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
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