Barcode Generator
Generate CODE128, EAN, UPC and other barcodes. Free, no signup, and made entirely in your browser.
About Barcode Generator
Barcode Generator produces scannable barcodes in the standard retail and logistics formats — CODE128, CODE39, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC, ITF-14, MSI and pharmacode — and downloads them as PNG. Free, no account, and generated entirely in your browser.
Choosing the format matters more than anything else here, because they are not interchangeable. CODE128 is the general-purpose workhorse: it encodes letters as well as numbers and suits internal asset tags, shelf labels and warehouse locations. EAN-13 and UPC are the retail formats printed on consumer products, and they are strictly numeric with a fixed length. ITF-14 goes on outer cases and cartons rather than individual items.
One thing worth being clear about: generating a retail barcode is not the same as owning one. EAN and UPC numbers are allocated by GS1, and a shop's systems check the number against that registry. Making up a plausible thirteen-digit value produces a barcode that scans and then fails at the till, or collides with a genuine product. For internal use — your own stock system, library, equipment register — you can number things however you like, and CODE128 is usually the right choice.
How to create a barcode
- Enter the value you want to encode.
- Choose the format that matches your use case.
- Check the value satisfies that format's rules, since EAN and UPC require exact digit counts.
- Generate the barcode and confirm it renders without an error.
- Download the PNG and test it with a real scanner before printing a batch.
Tips & common problems
CODE128 for anything internal
It handles letters and numbers, has no length restriction, and is compact. For your own asset tags or shelf labels it is almost always the right pick.
Retail codes must be registered
EAN-13 and UPC numbers come from GS1. An invented number may scan but will not resolve to your product, and could clash with someone else's.
Print large with clear margins
Barcodes need white space either side to scan reliably. Shrinking them to fit a cramped label is the most common cause of failed scans.
Test on the actual printer
Low-resolution or low-toner printing thickens the bars and breaks scanning. Always test a printed sample rather than trusting the screen.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a barcode for free?
Enter a value, choose a format and download the PNG. No signup and nothing uploaded.
Which barcode formats are supported?
CODE128, CODE39, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC, ITF-14, MSI and pharmacode, covering retail, logistics and internal tracking uses.
Can I use these barcodes to sell products in shops?
Only if the number is registered to you through GS1. The barcode image will be technically valid, but retail systems check the number against the registry, so an unregistered code will fail at the till.
Which format should I choose?
CODE128 for general and internal use, EAN-13 or UPC for registered retail products, and ITF-14 for shipping cartons.
Why does my value produce an error?
Most likely because it breaks the format's rules. EAN-13 needs exactly 13 digits and UPC 12, and neither accepts letters. CODE128 is far more permissive.
Are the barcodes generated on your server?
No. They are rendered entirely in your browser, so your product codes and asset numbers are never transmitted anywhere.