Barcode generator
Create a barcode in any common format.
Bulk mode
- 9 barcode formats
- Check digits calculated for you
- Bulk mode with a ZIP download
How to make a barcode
- Pick a format and type or paste the value.
- Adjust the bar width, height and colors.
- Download the barcode as PNG or SVG.
Which barcode format to pick
The 9 formats here split roughly into retail codes, shipping codes and older industry codes. Pick based on where the barcode will be scanned, not just what looks familiar.
| Format | Length | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| CODE128 | Any length, letters and numbers | Shipping labels, logistics, internal asset tags |
| EAN-13 | 13 digits | Retail products outside North America |
| EAN-8 | 8 digits | Small packages like candy or cigarettes |
| UPC-A | 12 digits | Retail products in the US and Canada |
| CODE39 | Any length, letters and numbers | Automotive and government ID badges |
| ITF-14 | 14 digits | Shipping cartons and cases (GS1-14) |
| MSI | Digits only | Warehouse shelf and inventory labels |
| Codabar | Digits and a few symbols | Library cards and blood bank bags |
Pharmacode is left out of the table because it does not encode readable data at all. Pharmaceutical packaging lines use it as a quick check that the right leaflet or box matches the right product, so the number is a reference, not a product code.
How the check digit is worked out
EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A and ITF-14 all use the same idea: each digit is multiplied by 3 or 1 depending on its position, the results are added up, and the check digit is whatever brings that total to a multiple of 10. This tool works it out for you, so you only type the digits that identify the product.
CODE39 and CODE128 do not need a check digit to scan correctly, since their symbols are designed to be self-checking against damage and misreads.
Printing barcodes that scan well
- Leave the quiet zone (the blank margin) on. Scanners read the edges of a code from that empty space, and cropping it too tight causes misreads.
- Keep contrast high. Black bars on white background scan far more reliably than light colors or a busy background image behind the code.
- Do not shrink a barcode below the point where its narrowest bar is easy to see with your eyes. If you cannot tell two bars apart, most scanners cannot either.
- Test a printed sample with a phone camera or a real scanner before printing hundreds of labels.
Barcode generator FAQ
Do I need to calculate the check digit myself?
No. EAN-13, EAN-8 and UPC-A check digits are calculated automatically from the digits you enter.
Which format should I use for retail products?
EAN-13 is the standard in most of the world, and UPC-A is common in the United States and Canada. Both need a code assigned by GS1 to be sold in stores.
Why does it say my value is invalid?
Each format only accepts certain characters and lengths. CODE128 accepts almost any text, while EAN, UPC, ITF-14 and MSI only accept digits of a set length.
Can I generate several barcodes at once?
Yes, use bulk mode: type one value per line and download every barcode as PNG files in a single ZIP.
Can I print these and use them to sell products in stores?
Only if the number is a real EAN or UPC assigned to you through GS1. A made-up number will scan fine on a phone but store point-of-sale systems will reject or misidentify it.
What is pharmacode used for?
Pharmacode is not meant to be read as text. Packaging lines use it as a simple check that the correct leaflet, box or blister was paired with the right product, so it holds a small reference number rather than a product code.
Is codabar still used anywhere?
Yes. Codabar dates from 1972 and is still common on library cards, blood bank bags and some older ID badges, mostly because the readers already in place there support it.
How big should I print a barcode?
Keep the narrowest bar at least 0.25mm wide when printed, and leave a blank quiet zone on each side at least 10 times that width. Test a printed sample with a phone camera or real scanner before printing a full batch.