Barcode Generator

What the barcode generator does

A barcode stores a short code as a row of black bars and white gaps that a laser or camera scanner can read. This generator draws three common types: Code 128 for labels that mix letters and numbers, and EAN-13 and UPC-A for retail products.

Use it to label stock, shelves or files, to test a till or handheld scanner, or to redraw the barcode for a product number you already hold. The preview updates as you type.

How to use the barcode generator

1. Choose the barcode type.
2. Type the content. For EAN-13 enter 12 digits and for UPC-A enter 11, and the check digit is calculated for you. If you type the full number, the check digit is verified instead.
3. Adjust bar width (1 to 4 px per module) and height (30 to 200 px), and choose whether to show the text under the bars.
4. Download an SVG (best for print) or a PNG.

Understanding the formats

Code 128 accepts plain ASCII: unaccented letters, digits, spaces and common symbols, up to 80 characters. When it meets a run of digits it packs them two to a symbol, so a long number makes a shorter barcode than the same number of letters.

EAN-13 is the 13-digit product number used in most countries, and UPC-A is the 12-digit version common in North America. The last digit is a check digit: the other digits are weighted alternately by 1 and 3 and added up, and the check digit brings the total to a multiple of ten. A scanner repeats the sum to catch a misread digit. Spaces and hyphens you type in these numbers are ignored.

Questions

Which type should I use?

Code 128 for internal labels, shipping and inventory: it holds letters, digits and symbols. EAN-13 and UPC-A are for retail products and only hold digits.

Can I make up an EAN or UPC number?

You can generate one for testing, but numbers on products sold in shops must be licensed from GS1 so that they are unique worldwide.

What if my check digit is wrong?

If you enter the full number and the last digit does not match, the tool tells you what it should be instead of drawing a barcode that would fail at the till.

Why is the PNG larger than the preview?

The PNG is drawn at twice the bar width and height you set, so it stays sharp in documents. The SVG keeps your exact sizes and scales without losing quality.

Why won’t my barcode scan?

Print it at a bar width of at least 2 px per module (or use the SVG), and keep the white margins around it. The tool draws black bars on white; if you recolour it elsewhere, keep strong contrast.

Is anything uploaded?

No. The barcodes are encoded and drawn in your browser.