Barcode Generator

Free Online Barcode Generator — Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A, QR Code & More

The Barcode Generator creates industry-standard barcodes directly in your browser. Support for seven barcode formats covers all major use cases: Code 128 for general-purpose encoding, EAN-13 and EAN-8 for international retail, UPC-A for North American products, Code 39 for industrial labels, ITF-14 for shipping containers, and QR Code for 2D mobile scanning. Customize bar width, height, colors, and text visibility. Download as PNG or SVG. Bulk mode generates multiple barcodes at once. No sign-up, no installation, all processing happens locally.

Understanding Barcode Formats

Barcodes encode data in a machine-readable visual pattern. Linear (1D) barcodes use varying widths of parallel bars and spaces to represent characters. Each format has specific rules about which characters are allowed, how they are encoded, and what error-detection mechanisms are used. Choosing the right format depends on your application, the type of data, and which scanners will read the barcode.

Code 128 — The Universal Barcode

Code 128 is the most versatile 1D barcode format. It can encode all 128 ASCII characters including lowercase letters, uppercase letters, digits, and special symbols. It uses three character sets (A, B, C) that the encoder switches between automatically for optimal density. Character set C encodes digit pairs in a single bar pattern, making it very compact for numeric data. Code 128 includes a modulo-103 check digit for error detection. It is used in shipping labels (GS1-128), inventory management, and any application requiring full ASCII support.

EAN-13 and EAN-8 — Global Retail Standards

EAN-13 (European Article Number) is the worldwide standard for product identification. Every product barcode on supermarket shelves is an EAN-13. It encodes exactly 13 digits: a country prefix (2-3 digits), manufacturer code, product code, and a check digit. The barcode is divided into left and right halves by center guard bars, with each half encoding six digits. EAN-8 is a compact version for small packages, encoding only 8 digits. Both formats are managed by GS1, the global standards organization.

UPC-A — North American Retail

UPC-A (Universal Product Code) is the dominant retail barcode in the United States and Canada. It encodes 12 digits and is technically a subset of EAN-13 (a UPC-A barcode is an EAN-13 with a leading zero). The first digit is the number system (0 for regular products, 2 for weighted items, 3 for pharmaceuticals). UPC-A has been the standard for US retail scanning since 1974 when Wrigley's chewing gum became the first product scanned at a checkout.

Code 39 — Industrial Standard

Code 39 is widely used in automotive, defense, and healthcare industries. It encodes uppercase letters (A-Z), digits (0-9), and seven special characters (- . $ / + % space). Each character is represented by 9 elements (5 bars and 4 spaces), with 3 of the 9 being wide — hence the name. Code 39 is self-checking (no check digit required, though one can be added), making it reliable for industrial environments where print quality may vary.

ITF-14 — Shipping and Logistics

ITF-14 (Interleaved Two of Five) encodes 14 digits and is designed for shipping cartons and pallets. The "interleaved" encoding pairs digits together, with one digit encoded in bars and the next in spaces, achieving high density. The leading digit indicates packaging level (1-8 for different case configurations, 9 for variable quantities). ITF-14 barcodes are printed inside thick bearer bars that protect against edge damage during shipping and handling.

QR Code — Two-Dimensional Encoding

QR Code (Quick Response) is a 2D barcode that stores data in a matrix of black and white squares. It can encode up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters or 7,089 numeric digits — far more than any 1D barcode. QR codes include built-in error correction (Reed-Solomon) at four levels (L/M/Q/H), allowing them to be read even when partially damaged. They are ubiquitous in mobile marketing, payment systems, event tickets, and contact sharing (vCards). Any smartphone camera can read a QR code.

Bulk Generation

The bulk mode lets you paste multiple values (one per line) and generate all barcodes in a single batch. This is useful for creating inventory labels, product tags, or asset stickers. Each barcode is rendered independently with the same format and styling settings. Individual barcodes can be downloaded separately. For large batches, this eliminates the repetitive process of entering values one at a time.