Barcode generator
Create a barcode for products, inventory or labels. Choose the format and colors, then download it as PNG or SVG.
How to Generate a Barcode Online: Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A and More
Barcodes keep shops, warehouses and offices organized. Whether you are labeling shelves, tracking equipment or preparing products for sale, you need a barcode that scans correctly. This free barcode generator creates Code 128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, Code 39 and ITF-14 barcodes you can download as PNG or SVG.
Why you need a barcode generator
- You need labels for inventory, assets or packages but don’t want to buy software.
- Different uses call for different barcode types, which is confusing.
- Printed barcodes that don’t scan waste time and money.
- You may need barcodes in your brand colors for packaging or labels.
Common problems when looking for a barcode generator
- Many online generators put a watermark on the image or lock downloads behind a payment.
- It is hard to know which format to choose for your situation.
- Retail formats such as EAN and UPC need exact digit counts and a correct check digit.
- Low-resolution images blur when printed.
- Some tools upload your data to a server.
How this free barcode generator solves the problem
- Creates six common formats, and calculates the check digit for EAN, UPC and ITF-14 automatically.
- Clear messages tell you what is wrong when a value isn’t valid for the chosen format.
- Adjust bar width, height, colors and whether the number appears under the bars.
- Download PNG for documents or SVG for sharp printing at any size.
- No watermark, no sign-up, and everything stays in your browser.
Do’s and don’ts of using a barcode generator
Do
- Use Code 128 for general inventory, shipping and asset labels.
- Use dark bars on a light background with strong contrast.
- Print at a decent size and leave blank space on both sides of the barcode.
- Test-scan a printed sample with the scanner you will actually use.
Don’t
- Don’t shrink the barcode too small or stretch it so the bars become distorted.
- Don’t use red bars on a white background with some scanners, because red can be hard to read.
- Don’t invent product numbers for retail sale. Official EAN and UPC numbers come from GS1.
- Don’t put a logo inside the barcode, because it will stop scanning.
Tips for creating barcodes for products and inventory
- Pick a format your scanner supports. Most handle Code 128 and EAN/UPC.
- For retail, register with GS1 in your country to get legitimate product numbers.
- Keep internal codes simple and consistent, such as a prefix plus a number.
- Save SVG versions for design files so you can resize without losing sharpness.
- Print a test sheet on your label printer before running a full batch.
Frequently asked questions
Which barcode format should I use?
Code 128 for general labels and inventory, EAN-13 or UPC-A for retail products, and Code 39 for simple internal codes.
Can I add a logo or colors?
Colors yes, but keep strong contrast: dark bars on a light background. Logos inside a barcode are not supported because they break scanning. Put your logo next to the barcode on your label instead.
Can I use these barcodes in stores?
Retail EAN and UPC numbers are assigned by GS1. A barcode you make here scans correctly, but a made-up product number is not registered to you.
How to use the barcode generator
- Choose a barcode format. Code 128 works for most text and numbers.
- Type the value. EAN and UPC formats need digits only.
- Adjust size, colors and whether the number is shown below.
- Download as PNG for documents or SVG for print.