Barcode Generator
Barcodes are still everywhere behind the scenes — warehouse bins, book spines, shipping cartons, lab samples. This generator renders a clean, scanner-ready barcode in the format you need: Code 128 and Code 39 for internal asset tags, EAN-13 and UPC-A for retail, ITF-14 for outer cartons, Codabar for libraries and blood banks. Output exports to PNG for digital use and SVG or PDF for sharp print.
How to create a barcode
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1
Pick the symbology
Code 128 for general asset tracking, EAN-13 for European retail, UPC-A for North American retail, etc.
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2
Enter the data
The allowed character set depends on the format. EAN-13 wants exactly 12 or 13 digits; Code 128 accepts the full ASCII set.
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3
The tool calculates the check digit
For EAN/UPC/ITF, the last digit is a modulo-10 checksum derived from the others. The generator fills it in automatically.
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4
Download in the right format
SVG or PDF for print (keeps quiet zones crisp); PNG for screens.
Common 1D symbologies
| Symbology | Data length | Character set | Where it is used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code 128 | Variable | Full ASCII | Logistics, shipping, asset tags |
| Code 39 | Variable | A-Z, 0-9, plus 7 symbols | Military, automotive, healthcare |
| EAN-13 | 13 digits | Digits only | European retail |
| UPC-A | 12 digits | Digits only | North American retail |
| EAN-8 | 8 digits | Digits only | Small retail products |
| ITF-14 | 14 digits | Digits only | Shipping cartons (outer packaging) |
| Codabar | Variable | Digits + 6 symbols | Libraries, blood banks |
Print quality checklist
A barcode that won’t scan is worse than no barcode. Before sending artwork to press:
- Quiet zone. Leave at least 10x the narrowest bar width as clear space on both ends.
- X-dimension. The width of the narrowest bar. Retail EAN/UPC minimum is 0.264 mm at 100% nominal size.
- Contrast. Black on white is safest. Avoid red bars (many scanners use red light and see red as white).
- Resolution. Export at the final print size, not a low-res PNG that will be upscaled.
- Orientation. Most scanners read left-to-right. Vertical (“picket fence”) orientation scans better when the package passes over a scanner tunnel.
EAN/UPC check digit
The last digit of an EAN-13 is:
check = (10 - ((3 * sum_of_odd_positions + sum_of_even_positions) mod 10)) mod 10
If you enter 12 digits, the tool computes the 13th.
GS1 prefixes (for retail)
To sell a product through retail globally, you need a company prefix from GS1, not a made-up EAN. Self-assigned EAN numbers can clash with other registered products and get blocked at till.
Frequently Asked Questions
Code 128 for internal stuff you control. EAN-13 or UPC-A if the barcode will pass through retail checkout. ITF-14 for the outer shipping carton containing retail units.
For retail sale through major chains, yes. For internal inventory, asset tagging, library systems, no — Code 128 or Code 39 on a locally-chosen numbering scheme is fine.
Nine times out of ten: missing quiet zone, insufficient contrast, or the printer compressed the bars. Print at 100% scale, include a 2-3 mm white margin, and use a real printer (not a thermal printer on dirty or thin paper) for test prints.
Yes — for bulk creation, paste one line of data per barcode or upload a CSV. The output is a single PDF with one barcode per row, ready to print on a sheet of label stock.