How to generate a barcode
To generate a barcode, choose the barcode type, type the number or text you want to encode, and download the result as SVG or PNG. Use UPC-A or EAN-13 for retail products, ITF-14 for shipping cartons, and Code 128 for shipping, inventory and serial numbers.
- Choose the barcode type. Pick the symbology your scanner, retailer or carrier expects, such as Code 128, UPC-A, EAN-13 or ITF-14.
- Enter your data. Type the number or text to encode. The preview updates instantly and warns you if the value is not valid for that type.
- Adjust size and text. Set the bar height, bar width and whether the human-readable text is shown under the bars.
- Download or print. Download a vector SVG or a high-resolution PNG, or open it in the free designer to print it on labels.
Supported barcode types
| Type | What it encodes | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Code 128 | Full ASCII, any length | Shipping, inventory, FNSKU, general purpose |
| Code 39 | A-Z, 0-9, space - . $ / + % | Asset tags, legacy scanners, automotive, defense |
| UPC-A | 11 or 12 digits | Retail products in the US and Canada |
| EAN-13 | 12 or 13 digits | Retail products worldwide, books (ISBN) |
| EAN-8 | 7 or 8 digits | Small retail packages |
| ITF-14 | 13 or 14 digits | Shipping cartons and cases (GTIN-14) |
| Codabar | 0-9, - $ : / . +, start/stop A-D | Libraries, blood banks, older logistics |
| MSI Plessey | Digits only | Retail shelf labels, warehouse bins |
| Pharmacode | Number 3 to 131070 | Pharmaceutical packaging control |
Not sure which one you need? Our guide to barcode types and how to choose a symbology compares them side by side, and Code 128 vs Code 39 covers the most common linear choice.
Make it scan the first time
- Keep the quiet zone. Leave blank space on both sides of the bars, at least 10 times the narrowest bar. See what a quiet zone is.
- Print large enough. UPC and EAN should stay between 80% and 200% of their nominal size. On thermal printers, 300 DPI gives noticeably cleaner small barcodes than 203 DPI.
- Use high contrast. Black bars on a white background. Avoid red bars: many scanners use red light and cannot see them.
- Test with the real scanner. A phone app is not the same as a warehouse imager. More fixes in why your barcode will not scan.
Print barcodes on labels, in bulk
A single barcode image is fine for artwork. For labels, open the barcode in the free Label Toolkit designer: pick an exact label size, add your product name or price, then import a spreadsheet to make one barcode per row. Print to any sheet printer as a true-to-size vector PDF, or export ZPL for Zebra thermal printers. Step-by-step: print barcode labels from Excel and Amazon FNSKU labels.
Frequently asked questions
Is this barcode generator really free?
Yes. You can generate, download and print as many barcodes as you want, with no account, watermark or per-barcode fee. Downloads are SVG (vector) or high-resolution PNG.
Which barcode type should I use?
Use UPC-A (US and Canada) or EAN-13 (everywhere else) for products sold in retail stores, ITF-14 for shipping cartons, and Code 128 for almost everything else: shipping, inventory, serial numbers and Amazon FNSKU labels. Code 39 is mainly for older scanners and asset tags.
Do I need GS1 numbers for UPC or EAN barcodes?
For products sold through retailers or marketplaces, yes. The barcode generator draws any valid number, but the number itself must come from a GS1 company prefix licensed to your brand. For internal use (inventory, bins, assets) use Code 128 with your own numbering.
Should I download SVG or PNG?
SVG is a vector file, so it stays perfectly sharp at any size and is the best choice for print and packaging artwork. PNG is a high-resolution image for tools that do not accept SVG, such as some marketplaces and office apps.
How do I print a whole sheet or roll of barcode labels?
Click "Print on labels". The barcode opens in the free Label Toolkit designer, where you can set the exact label size, add text, merge a spreadsheet to create one barcode per row, and print to a sheet printer as PDF or to a Zebra printer as ZPL.
Why will my barcode not scan?
The most common causes are a missing quiet zone (blank margin) around the bars, printing too small or at low resolution, low contrast colors, and the wrong check digit. Keep at least 10 times the narrowest bar width as white space on each side and print black on white.