Barcode Generators by Type
UPC-A
US/Canada retail product barcodes
EAN-13
International retail product barcodes
Code 128
Shipping labels and logistics
Code 39
Military and automotive industry
ISBN
Book and publication identification
GS1-128
Supply chain and healthcare packaging
EAN-8
Small retail products
Codabar
Libraries, blood banks, FedEx airbills
About This Barcode Generator
Barcodes encode data as a pattern of parallel lines that optical scanners read in milliseconds. Since their commercial introduction in 1974, they have become essential to retail, logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing.
This tool generates barcodes entirely in your browser. No data leaves your device — the encoding runs client-side using the JsBarcode library. You choose the format, enter your data, customize the appearance, and download the result as SVG or PNG.
Supported Barcode Formats
The generator supports 17 format variants across 9 barcode families. Each format serves a specific industry need:
| Format | Character Set | Description |
|---|---|---|
| CODE128 (A/B/C) | All 128 ASCII characters | The most versatile format. Used in shipping labels, logistics, and any application that requires alphanumeric encoding. The GS1-128 variant follows GS1 Application Identifier standards for supply chain data. |
| EAN-13 | Numeric (13 digits) | The international standard for retail product identification, administered by GS1. Each EAN-13 barcode includes a country prefix, manufacturer code, product code, and check digit. |
| EAN-8 | Numeric (8 digits) | Compact version of EAN-13 for small packages where a full-size barcode would not fit. |
| UPC-A | Numeric (12 digits) | The standard retail barcode in the United States and Canada. Every product sold in North American stores carries a UPC-A code. |
| CODE39 | A-Z, 0-9, and symbols | Self-checking alphanumeric format used in military (MIL-STD-1189), automotive, and government applications. Does not require a check digit. |
| ITF / ITF-14 | Numeric only (pairs) | Interleaved Two of Five encodes digits in pairs. ITF-14 wraps 14 digits for outer carton identification in warehouses and shipping. |
| MSI (Plessey) | Numeric only | Modified Plessey with configurable checksums (Mod 10, Mod 11, Mod 1010, Mod 1110). Common in warehouse shelf labeling. |
| Codabar | 0-9, $, +, -, ., /, : | Used in blood banks (ISBT 128), libraries, and FedEx airbills. Includes start/stop characters (A, B, C, D). |
| Pharmacode | Numeric (3-131070) | Binary barcode used exclusively in pharmaceutical packaging. Encodes a single integer for medication identification during production. |
Choosing the Right Format
The right format depends on your industry and data requirements:
- Retail products: Use EAN-13 (international) or UPC-A (North America). Both require a GS1 company prefix for commercial use.
- Shipping and logistics: Use Code 128 or GS1-128 for alphanumeric data. Use ITF-14 for outer carton identification.
- Inventory and asset tracking: Code 39 handles alphanumeric data without a check digit, making it simple to implement. Code 128 offers higher density for the same data.
- Healthcare: Pharmacode for pharmaceutical packaging. GS1-128 for medication tracking with expiry dates and lot numbers.
- Libraries and document tracking: Codabar remains the standard in many library systems.
How to Use
- Select a format from the dropdown. The default is Code 128, which accepts any text input.
- Enter your data. The tool validates your input against the format’s rules and displays a message if the data is invalid (for example, EAN-13 requires exactly 12 or 13 digits).
- Customize the appearance. Adjust bar width (1–4), height (50–200px), colors, font family, font size, and text margin. The preview updates in real time.
- Download your barcode as SVG (vector, ideal for print) or PNG (raster, ideal for screens and documents).
Printing and Scanning Tips
- Maintain quiet zones. Leave blank space on each side of the barcode equal to at least 10 times the narrowest bar width. Most scanning failures come from insufficient quiet zones.
- Print at 300 DPI or higher. Download the SVG format for print — it scales to any size without losing sharpness.
- Use high contrast. Dark bars on a light background scan most reliably. Avoid red or orange bars, as most laser scanners use red light and cannot detect them.
- Test before production. Scan your barcode with at least two different devices before printing a full batch.
- Respect minimum sizes. EAN-13 barcodes should be at least 37.29mm wide at the standard magnification. Reducing below 80% of the nominal size risks scan failures.
Key Features
- 17 format variants across 9 barcode families — from retail (EAN, UPC) to logistics (Code 128, ITF-14) to pharmaceutical (Pharmacode).
- Real-time preview — the barcode updates as you type.
- Smart validation — checks digit counts, character sets, and checksums before rendering.
- Full customization — bar width, height, colors, font family, font size, and text margins.
- SVG and PNG export — vector for print, raster for screens.
- Client-side processing — your data never leaves the browser. No server, no tracking, no registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between EAN-13 and UPC-A?
EAN-13 uses 13 digits and is the international retail standard. UPC-A uses 12 digits and is the North American standard. Every UPC-A code can be expressed as an EAN-13 by adding a leading zero. Most modern scanners read both formats interchangeably.
Can I use these barcodes on commercial products?
The tool generates valid barcodes, but selling products with EAN or UPC codes in retail stores requires a GS1 company prefix. You can obtain one from your national GS1 organization. For internal use (inventory, asset tracking), no registration is needed.
What resolution should I use for printed barcodes?
Download the SVG format for print. SVG is a vector format that scales to any size without pixelation. If you need a raster image, generate it at the largest practical size — scaling down preserves quality, scaling up does not.
Why does my barcode fail to scan?
The most common causes: insufficient quiet zones around the barcode, low print contrast, or printing smaller than the format’s minimum size. Verify your input data matches the format’s requirements (correct digit count, valid check digit) and test with a scanner before printing in bulk.
What is the difference between barcodes and QR codes?
Barcodes are one-dimensional — they encode data in the widths of parallel lines. QR codes are two-dimensional — they encode data in a grid of squares, holding far more information (URLs, text blocks, contact cards). Use barcodes for short numeric or alphanumeric identifiers. Use our QR Code Generator for URLs, Wi-Fi credentials, or any data that exceeds a barcode’s capacity.
Related Tools
You might also find these tools useful:
- QR Code Generator — create QR codes for URLs, text, Wi-Fi, and more.
- EAN-13 Barcode Generator — dedicated generator with EAN-13 validation and checksum calculation.
- UPC-A Barcode Generator — dedicated generator for North American retail barcodes.
- Code 128 Barcode Generator — optimized for shipping labels and logistics.