What barcode format should I use?

CODE128 works for most text/number combinations. EAN13/UPC is required for retail products. CODE39 is common in industrial settings.

Can I use these barcodes commercially?

Yes. The generated barcodes are yours to use. For retail EAN/UPC barcodes that scan at point-of-sale, you need a GS1-registered prefix.

What is the difference between EAN-13 and UPC-A?

Both are retail product barcodes sharing the same GS1 system; UPC-A (12 digits) is the North American standard while EAN-13 (13 digits) is used internationally. EAN-13 is effectively a superset, so most modern scanners read both.

Why do I need a check digit?

The final digit of EAN/UPC codes is calculated from the others so scanners can detect a misread. The generator computes it automatically — if you supply the wrong check digit, retail systems will reject or misread the barcode.

How small can I print a barcode?

Keep a quiet zone of at least 10× the narrowest bar on each side, and do not go below about 80% of the nominal EAN-13 size (37.29×25.93 mm) for supermarket scanners. Export SVG for crisp scaling and test with a real scanner before a big run.

Should I use a 1D barcode or a QR code?

Use a 1D barcode (Code 128, EAN, UPC) for retail, inventory and logistics systems built around laser scanners. Use a QR code when you need URLs, lots of data, or phone-camera scanning. For new general use, Code 128 or QR are recommended.

Which format encodes letters as well as numbers?

Code 128 supports the full ASCII set (letters, digits and symbols) and is the most versatile choice for IDs and shipping labels. EAN and UPC are numeric only, while Code 39 handles uppercase letters, digits and a few symbols.

Barcode Generator — Create Barcodes Online Free

How to use Barcode Generator

Generate standard 1D barcodes for retail, inventory, shipping, and identification purposes — entirely in your browser. Supports Code 128, Code 39, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, ITF, and more. Download as SVG for crisp printing at any size or as PNG for digital use.

Select the barcode format (Code 128 for general text, EAN-13 for retail products, etc.).
Enter the data to encode — numeric only for EAN/UPC formats.
Adjust the barcode height, bar width, and whether to display the human-readable number.
Preview the barcode and verify the dimensions meet your label requirements.
Download as SVG or PNG and embed in your label design or inventory system.

Your data never leaves your device — 100% private processing.

Barcode format selection guide

Code 128 is the most versatile 1D barcode, supporting all 128 ASCII characters and used for shipping labels, ID cards, and industrial applications. EAN-13 and EAN-8 are retail product barcodes (ISBN books use EAN-13 with a 978/979 prefix). UPC-A and UPC-E are North American retail standards. Code 39 is used in automotive, military, and government contexts for its ease of reading. ITF-14 (Interleaved 2 of 5) is used on shipping cartons. For new applications, Code 128 or QR codes are recommended over older formats.

Format	Characters	Best use
Code 128	All ASCII	Shipping, ID, general
EAN-13	12 digits + check	Retail products, books (ISBN)
UPC-A	11 digits + check	North American retail
Code 39	A-Z, 0-9, symbols	Automotive, military, healthcare
ITF-14	13 digits + check	Shipping cartons, logistics

Print size and scanning requirements

Barcode scanners need a minimum quiet zone of 10 × the narrowest bar width on each side. Standard EAN-13 barcodes are 37.29 mm × 25.93 mm — print no smaller than 80% of this size for supermarket scanners. Code 128 barcodes must have a minimum bar height of 15% of the symbol length or 6.35 mm, whichever is greater. Always download as SVG for print production to ensure no rasterization artifacts, and test with a handheld scanner before committing to a large print run.

Worked examples

EAN-13 retail code

Inputs: 12 digits: 590123412345

Result: EAN-13 with auto check digit → 5901234123457

Code 128 shipping label

Inputs: SHIP-00427

Result: Code 128 barcode encoding the full alphanumeric string

Glossary

Check digit: A digit appended to a barcode that is mathematically derived from the other digits, used to detect scanning errors.
Quiet zone: The blank white space on both sides of a barcode required for scanners to determine the barcode boundary.
Module width (X dimension): The width of the narrowest bar or space in a barcode, determining the physical size of the symbol.
GS1: The global organization that administers EAN and UPC barcode standards used in retail commerce worldwide.

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