About this tool
Barcodes are everywhere in retail, warehousing and shipping. With this generator you create the common one-dimensional barcodes right in your browser: Code 128 for any text, EAN-13 and EAN-8 for retail product numbers, UPC-A for North America and Code 39 for industry and inventory.
For EAN and UPC the check digit is calculated or verified automatically; for Code 128 the generator picks the shortest character set itself. Size and colors are adjustable, and you download a sharp vector graphic (SVG) or a PNG. For two-dimensional codes with more content use the QR Code Generator; IBANs can be checked with the IBAN Validator.
How it works
- Choose the format, e.g. Code 128 for text or EAN-13 for a product number.
- Enter the content – for EAN/UPC the digits without check digit are enough.
- Adjust bar width, height, colors and the text line as needed.
- Download the barcode as PNG or SVG and test it with a scanner or phone before printing.
Frequently asked questions
Which format do I need?
For products sold in retail, EAN-13 (UPC-A in North America) with an official GTIN from GS1. For internal use such as storage locations, parcel numbers or inventory, Code 128 is the best choice because it encodes any text compactly. Use Code 39 only if an existing system requires it.
Can I just make up an EAN number?
Technically yes, but selling in retail requires a GTIN registered with GS1. Made-up numbers may collide with real products. For in-store use, the prefixes 20 to 29 are reserved.
How is the check digit calculated?
The digits are weighted alternately with 3 and 1 from the right and summed up. The check digit tops the sum up to the next multiple of 10. For 400638133393 this gives the check digit 1.
What should I consider when printing?
Dark bars on a light background, enough quiet zone left and right (already included in the image) and not too small. Prefer SVG and keep the aspect ratio when scaling. Always test the printed code with a scanner.