Free Barcode Generator

Which barcode type do you need?

The right symbology depends on where the barcode will be scanned. Retail checkouts read EAN and UPC; your own warehouse, shipping labels and asset tags can use Code 128.

Type	Best for	What it holds
EAN-13	Products sold in shops worldwide, books (ISBN)	13 digits, last one is a check digit
UPC-A	Products sold in the US and Canada	12 digits, last one is a check digit
EAN-8	Small packaging with little space	8 digits, last one is a check digit
Code 128	SKUs, inventory, shipping labels, tickets	Letters, digits and symbols
Code 39	Industry, badges, older scanners	Upper-case letters, digits, a few symbols
UPC-E	Small retail packs where a full UPC-A will not fit	6 digits, shortened from a UPC-A
ITF-14	Cartons, cases and pallets (GTIN-14)	14 digits, last one is a check digit
Codabar	Libraries, blood banks, labs, older logistics	Digits and - $ : / . + with A–D start and stop
GS1-128	Pallet, carton and shipping labels (SSCC), lot and expiry	Bracketed GS1 elements such as (01) GTIN, (17) date, (10) lot
Code 93	Compact alternative to Code 39, postal and inventory	Upper-case letters, digits, a few symbols
QR code	Links, text, Wi-Fi, menus	Up to 1,000 characters
Data Matrix	Small parts, electronics, tools, medicines	Text or numbers in a tiny square
GS1 DataMatrix	Healthcare, traceability, retail items	Bracketed GS1 elements, like GS1-128
PDF417	Tickets, ID cards, shipping labels	Up to about 1,000 characters

How to make a barcode

1
Choose the type
EAN-13 or UPC-A for retail products, Code 128 for anything internal like SKUs or labels.
2
Enter your number
Type or paste the product number. For EAN and UPC, the check digit is computed automatically.
3
Adjust the look
Set the bar height and width, and choose whether the number is printed under the bars.
4
Download and print
Download SVG for print and design tools, or PNG for documents, spreadsheets and web pages.

Selling in stores? You need a GS1 number first

This generator draws a correct barcode for any number you give it. It does not issue product numbers. To sell through retailers or marketplaces that check product codes, register your company with GS1 and use the GTIN numbers they assign you.

For everything that stays inside your business — stock, SKUs, asset tags, event tickets, shipping boxes — you can use any numbering you like, usually with Code 128.

Tips for barcodes that scan the first time

Keep the white margin (quiet zone) on both sides: the download includes it, do not crop it.
Print dark bars on a light background. Black on white is the safest choice.
Do not squeeze the barcode: resize the width and height together.
Use the SVG for print shops and label printers, it stays sharp at any size.
Scan a test print with a phone or scanner before printing hundreds of labels.
Printing a sheet of labels? Print the PDF at 100% ("Actual size"), never "Fit to page": scaling changes the bar widths and the labels stop lining up.

Frequently asked questions

Is this barcode generator really free?

Yes. There is no signup, no watermark and no limit. You can use the barcodes for commercial products and labels.

What is a check digit?

The last digit of EAN and UPC codes is calculated from the others so scanners can detect misreads. Enter the number without it and the generator adds it; if you include it, the generator verifies it.

Which barcode type should I use for products?

EAN-13 is the international standard for retail products. UPC-A is common in the US and Canada. Both need a GS1-registered number if you sell through retailers.

Can I create a barcode for my own inventory?

Yes. Use Code 128 with your own SKU or reference. It accepts letters, digits and symbols and stays compact for long numbers.

SVG or PNG?

SVG is a vector file: it stays sharp at any size and is best for printing and design tools. PNG is an image that works everywhere, including documents and spreadsheets.

Is my data sent anywhere?

No. The barcode is generated in your browser and the file is created on your device.

My check digit is wrong. What should I do?

Type the full number: when the last digit is wrong, the generator shows the correct one and a button to use it. Check the other digits first. A wrong check digit usually means a typo elsewhere, so compare with your GS1 certificate or the product packaging.

How do I print the barcode at the right size?

Set the bar width in millimetres (0.33 mm is the 100% size of an EAN-13, and 80% to 200% is allowed) and the height. The tool shows the real printed size. The SVG is written in millimetres and the PNG carries the resolution you choose (150, 300 or 600 dpi), so both print at the same size in Word, Canva or a label printer.

Can I make many barcodes at once?

Yes. Open the batch tab, enter one value per line (up to 200) and you get a preview of every barcode, the errors line by line, and a ZIP of SVG or PNG files.

Can I print barcodes on Avery label sheets?

Yes. Open "Print a label sheet", pick your paper (A4 or US Letter) and the sheet code (L7160, L7651, 5160 and more) or a custom label size, and download the PDF. Bars keep the width you chose, text included. Print at 100% / "Actual size"; if the barcode is larger than the label it is shrunk to fit and you are told the new bar width.

What is GS1-128 and how do I write it?

GS1-128 is Code 128 carrying GS1 data: a GTIN, an expiry date, a lot number, an SSCC for pallets. Write each element in brackets, for example (01)09506000134352(17)261231(10)LOT42. The generator checks the check digits and dates, adds the separator codes where a scanner needs them and prints the readable text with brackets.

Which 2D code should I use: QR, Data Matrix or PDF417?

QR is for phones and links. Data Matrix stays readable at a few millimetres, so it is used on small electronics, tools and medicines (with GS1 data). PDF417 is a wide stacked code for tickets, ID cards and shipping labels that hold more text. Industrial scanners and phone cameras read all three; do a test print first.

How do I number labels in a sequence (SKU-0001 to SKU-0100)?

Open the Batch tab and use Number sequence: set the text before, the start number, how many, the step and how many digits to zero-pad. The list fills itself (up to 200) and the same values go to the ZIP and to the label sheet.