Free Barcode Generator
Create Code 128, Code 39, EAN-13, UPC-A and QR codes in your browser. Download as PNG or SVG. Free, no sign-up.
Letters, digits and symbols (ASCII). The check character is added automatically.
How to create a barcode
- Choose a barcode type. Code 128 is the best all-round choice for internal labels and inventory.
- Type the data you want to encode. The preview updates as you type and tells you if the input isn't valid for that type.
- Download as PNG for documents and websites, or SVG for printing at any size without losing sharpness.
Which barcode type should I use?
| Type | What it can hold | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Code 128 | Letters, digits and symbols | Shipping labels, inventory, asset tags. Compact, so it's the best default for internal use. |
| Code 39 | Uppercase A–Z, digits, space and - . $ / + % | Manufacturing, ID badges, older systems. Wider than Code 128 but very simple. |
| EAN-13 | 13 digits | Retail products worldwide. The standard product barcode outside North America. |
| UPC-A | 12 digits | Retail products sold in the US and Canada. |
| QR Code | Any text, including long URLs | Links, contact details, Wi-Fi details, anything scanned with a phone camera. |
Do I need to register EAN or UPC numbers?
For products sold in shops, yes. The generator draws a correct barcode for any number you enter, but retailers only accept EAN and UPC numbers that are registered to your company. You get these from GS1, the organisation that manages product barcodes, through the GS1 office in your country.
For internal use, such as your own warehouse, a library or a stock list, you don't need GS1. Use Code 128 with your own codes instead. EAN-13 numbers that start with 2 are also reserved for internal use, so retailers use them for in-store items like weighed products.
How check digits work
The last digit of an EAN-13 or UPC-A number is a check digit, calculated from the other digits so scanners can catch misreads. Enter 12 digits for EAN-13 (or 11 for UPC-A) and the generator adds the check digit for you. If you enter the full number, it checks the digit and tells you if it's wrong. For example, 590123412345 becomes 5901234123457.
Code 128 also has a check character, but it's built into the bars and isn't printed as text. The generator adds it automatically.
Barcode size and printing tips
- Keep the margins empty. Scanners need a blank "quiet zone" on both sides of the bars. For Code 128 and Code 39 it should be at least 10 times the width of the narrowest bar. EAN-13 needs 11 bar-widths on the left and 7 on the right. The barcodes you download here include margins that meet these minimums, so don't crop them away.
- Scale evenly. Resize the barcode proportionally. Stretching only the width or squeezing the bars together can make it unreadable.
- Stay within retail sizes. At 100% size, an EAN-13 barcode is about 37 mm wide including its margins. GS1 allows scaling between 80% and 200% of that for products scanned at the checkout.
- Use black bars on a white background. Many scanners use red light, so red bars can be invisible to them. Avoid light colours, patterns and glossy backgrounds behind the bars.
- Test before printing a batch. Print one label at the final size and scan it with the scanner or phone app you'll actually use.
PNG or SVG?
PNG is a regular image that works everywhere: documents, spreadsheets, websites and email. It looks best at the size it was created or smaller. Enlarging it a lot makes the edges blurry.
SVG is a vector image, so it stays perfectly sharp at any size. Use it for printed labels, packaging and design programs. If you're not sure, download both.
Need barcodes in Excel or Word?
A barcode font turns text into bars directly in your spreadsheet or document, so barcodes update when your data changes. Get free Code 39, Code 128 and EAN-13 fonts on the barcode fonts page. For spreadsheets, the guide to barcodes in Excel has ready-made formulas and a free template, and the Code 128 font encoder converts text for Word and other apps.
Is this barcode generator free?
Yes. Barcodes are generated directly in your browser, so your data is never uploaded to a server, and there are no limits or watermarks. You can use the barcodes for personal and commercial purposes.