Barcode Generator
Barcode Generator — create Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 39 and more. Download as PNG or SVG. Free, in your browser, no signup, no watermark.
About Barcode Generator
The Barcode Generator turns any text or number into a scannable 1D barcode in eight industry-standard formats — Code 128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, Code 39, ITF-14, MSI, and Codabar. Pick a format, type your input, download the result as PNG or SVG. Runs entirely in your browser, no upload, no signup, no watermark.
1D barcodes are not QR codes. Barcodes are operational — retail SKUs, shipping labels, warehouse inventory, library catalogs, asset tags. QR codes are consumer-facing — URLs, menus, payments, Wi-Fi sharing. If you need to encode a link or paragraph, the QR Code Generator is the right tool. If you need to label a product or box, this is the one.
Pick the right format for the job. CODE 128 is the most flexible and accepts any text — it’s the default and the right choice for internal SKUs, shipping, and asset tracking. EAN-13 is the global retail standard (12 digits, the 13th is calculated automatically). UPC-A is the North American retail standard (11 digits, 12th calculated). CODE 39 was the workhorse of industry for decades and still shows up in automotive, defense, and healthcare. ITF-14 is for outer cartons and shipping units. The hint below the input field always shows the rule for the format you’ve selected.
Customize the look with Advanced options — bar color, background color, height, and an on/off toggle for the value caption beneath the bars. For real-world scanning, keep the bars dark and the background light: most laser and camera scanners need strong contrast to lock on.
Why client-side matters. Most online barcode generators upload your input to their server, generate the image there, and send it back. That means your SKU data, customer order numbers, or internal identifiers pass through someone else’s infrastructure. This tool runs the encoding in your browser — your data never leaves your machine, there’s no API key to leak, and there’s no per-generation cost. Free, fast, and private by default.
Frequently asked questions
Barcodes (1D) store short codes — typically 10–30 characters — and are used for retail SKUs, shipping labels, inventory, and library cataloging. QR codes (2D) store up to ~4,000 characters and are used for URLs, contact cards, Wi-Fi credentials, and payments. Different audiences. If you need to encode a URL or text, use the QR Code Generator. If you're labeling products, boxes, or assets, use this.
When in doubt, **CODE 128** — it accepts any text or numbers and is the most widely supported for shipping, internal SKUs, and asset tags. **EAN-13** for retail outside North America. **UPC-A** for retail in North America. **CODE 39** for industrial/automotive. **ITF-14** for cartons and outer packaging. The dropdown shows the input rules for each format.
The barcode itself, yes — it scans correctly. But for retail (selling on Amazon, in stores, etc.) you need an officially issued GS1 number, not a self-generated one. This tool generates valid scannable barcodes from any input — perfect for internal use, shipping, asset tracking, library books, or anything that doesn't require GS1 registration.
Yes. Generating a barcode image is free — only retail product issuance (the GS1 number itself) costs money. This tool produces unlimited free barcodes from any input you provide.