Customize
How it works
The Barcode Generator builds a scannable 1D barcode entirely in your browser. Choose a barcode type, type the data, and the preview redraws instantly. The encoding (symbol patterns, check digits, guard bars) follows each format's standard and is done locally, so nothing you type is ever uploaded.
- Pick a type: Code 128 for general text and numbers, EAN-13 / EAN-8 / UPC-A for retail products, Code 39 for industrial and ID use, or ITF for numeric shipping codes.
- Customize the bar and background colors, bar height, bar width (scale), quiet-zone margin, and whether the human-readable text shows underneath.
- Download a PNG for screens, or an SVG for sharp, scalable print and labels.
Check digits are handled for you. For EAN and UPC, type just the data digits and the correct check digit is added automatically; paste a full code and it is verified instead.
What the controls do
- Barcode type
- The symbology. Code 128 (letters + numbers + symbols), EAN-13 / EAN-8 / UPC-A (retail, numeric), Code 39 (uppercase + numbers + a few symbols), ITF (numeric, even length).
- Data to encode
- The value the barcode carries. The hint below the field tells you the format each type expects and flags invalid input.
- Bar color / Background
- Keep strong contrast (dark bars on a light background) or scanners will struggle. Avoid light-on-dark.
- Bar height
- How tall the bars are, in pixels. Taller is more forgiving to scan at an angle.
- Bar width (scale)
- The width of the narrowest bar, in pixels. Larger values make a bigger, easier-to-scan barcode.
- Margin
- The clear "quiet zone" on the left and right, in modules. Do not remove it; scanners need it to find the code.
- Show text
- Whether the human-readable data prints below the bars. Standard for retail and shipping labels.
Frequently asked questions
Is this barcode generator free, and is my data private?
Completely free, with no signup and no limits. Every barcode is built in your browser, so whatever you type is never uploaded to a server. The barcode you download encodes your data directly, there is no redirect and no tracking, and it never expires.
Which barcode type should I use?
It depends on where the code will be scanned. Code 128 is the best general-purpose choice: it is compact and encodes letters, numbers, and symbols, ideal for shipping labels, asset tags, and internal tracking. EAN-13 and UPC-A are the retail product codes you see on packaging (EAN-13 worldwide, UPC-A in North America). EAN-8 is the short version for small packages. Code 39 is an older alphanumeric format common in industry and ID badges. ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5) is a numeric format used on shipping cartons.
Do I need to include the check digit?
No. For EAN-13, EAN-8, and UPC-A you can type just the data digits (12, 7, or 11 respectively) and the tool calculates and appends the correct check digit for you. If you paste the full-length code instead, the tool verifies the check digit and warns you if it is wrong. Code 128 manages its own checksum invisibly, and Code 39 and ITF do not require one.
What is the difference between EAN and UPC?
They are closely related retail standards. UPC-A is 12 digits and is used mainly in the United States and Canada. EAN-13 is 13 digits and is the international standard (a UPC-A code is really an EAN-13 with a leading zero). If you are selling on Amazon or in retail, use the exact number assigned to your product by GS1, do not invent one, an unregistered number may collide with a real product.
Should I download PNG or SVG?
Use PNG for screens, documents, and quick sharing. Use SVG for print and labels: it is a vector, so it stays perfectly crisp at any size, which matters because blurry or scaled-down bars are the most common reason a barcode fails to scan. Both are generated right here in your browser.
Why is my barcode not scanning?
The usual causes are printing it too small, too little contrast (keep dark bars on a light background), removing the quiet-zone margin on the sides, or stretching it so the bar widths distort. If a scan fails, increase the scale and bar height, keep a generous margin, print at high resolution (the SVG is best for this), and make sure you have not recolored it to low contrast.
Can I put letters in a barcode?
Yes, with the right type. Code 128 handles the full set of letters, numbers, and common symbols, and Code 39 handles uppercase letters, digits, and a few symbols. The retail formats (EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A) and ITF are numeric only, so if you need text, choose Code 128.
What do the numbers printed under the barcode mean?
That is the human-readable text, the same data the bars encode, printed so a person can read or key it in if a scanner is unavailable. You can hide it with the "Show text" toggle, though leaving it on is standard practice for retail and shipping codes.