Barcode Generator
Create linear and 2D barcodes right in your browser — Code 128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, Code 39, ITF-14, Data Matrix, and PDF417. Set the height, scale, and human-readable text, then download a crisp PNG or SVG. Free, with no sign-up.
Every common barcode, generated in the browser
A barcode is just a machine-readable way to carry a number or short string, and which one you need depends entirely on where it is going. This generator covers the formats that matter day to day: Code 128 for compact alphanumeric labels, the EAN and UPC family for products that pass through a retail till, Code 39 for its broad scanner support, ITF-14 for shipping cartons, and the 2D codes Data Matrix and PDF417 for when a single linear barcode cannot hold enough. Everything is drawn locally in your browser — the data you type never leaves your device — so you can iterate freely and download the moment it looks right.
It is built for the practical jobs small businesses and makers actually face: labelling stock and assets with your own internal codes, printing product barcodes from a number you already own, putting case codes on outer boxes, or encoding a longer reference into a Data Matrix that fits in a tiny space. No account, no watermark, no per-code limit.
How to generate a barcode
- Pick the symbology from the dropdown — Code 128 for general labels, EAN-13 or UPC-A for retail products, or a 2D code like Data Matrix or PDF417 for larger payloads.
- Enter the data. For fixed-length retail formats type the digits; the tool adds the check digit if you leave it off and warns you if the length is wrong.
- Adjust the scale and bar height, and tick human-readable text if you want the value printed beneath the bars.
- Download the PNG for screen use or the SVG for print and labels, then scan it once to confirm it reads before producing it in bulk.
Linear versus 2D: which to use
Linear barcodes — the familiar stripes of Code 128, EAN, UPC, Code 39, and ITF-14 — are perfect for a number or short code and read instantly with any laser or camera scanner. They do, however, get physically wider the more you encode. When you need to pack in more, a 2D code earns its place: Data Matrix squeezes a surprising amount into a small square and is popular for marking small parts, while PDF417 stacks rows to hold large payloads such as the data on an ID card or a boarding pass. If your scanner or workflow only handles 1D codes, stay linear; otherwise a 2D code saves space.
Printing barcodes that actually scan
A barcode only earns its keep if it reads first time, and a few habits make that reliable. Keep strong contrast — dark bars on a plain light background — and never print a barcode over a busy pattern or a tinted panel. Leave the clear "quiet zone" of white space on each side that the standard requires, or scanners struggle to find the edges. Print at a sensible size for the scanner and distance involved, and use the SVG download whenever the label will be enlarged so the bars stay sharp. Above all, scan your own code once before you commit to a print run.
Frequently asked questions
Which barcode type should I choose?
For a retail product sold in shops, use EAN-13 (most of the world) or UPC-A (North America) with the number from your GS1-assigned range. For your own internal labels — assets, shelves, files — Code 128 is the best general-purpose choice because it encodes letters and digits compactly. Code 39 is simpler and very widely supported, ITF-14 goes on shipping cartons, and Data Matrix or PDF417 are 2D codes for when you need to pack in more data.
Why does it say my number has the wrong number of digits?
Retail symbologies are fixed-length. EAN-13 needs 12 or 13 digits, EAN-8 needs 7 or 8, UPC-A needs 11 or 12, and ITF-14 needs 13 or 14. If you supply the shorter count, the generator calculates and appends the final check digit for you. Letters or symbols in these numeric formats will also be rejected — they only accept digits.
Can I create a real barcode for selling products?
This tool draws a technically valid barcode from whatever number you enter, but the number itself must be one you are entitled to use. Retailers expect product barcodes built from a company prefix issued by GS1; making up an EAN or UPC number can clash with another product. Use this generator with a number you already own, or for internal codes that never leave your own systems.
What do the height, scale, and "human-readable text" options do?
Scale sets how many pixels wide each bar is, so it controls the overall resolution and size of the image. Height sets how tall the bars are for linear barcodes. The human-readable text option prints the encoded value in digits beneath the bars, which is standard on retail and shipping labels so a person can read or key it if a scan fails.
Should I download the PNG or the SVG?
Use the PNG for quick on-screen use or pasting into a document. Use the SVG whenever the barcode will be printed or resized — on a label sheet, packaging, or a sign — because it is vector and stays perfectly sharp at any size, which also helps scanners read it reliably.