Free online barcode generator for retail, shipping and inventory
This barcode generator creates scannable 1D barcodes in all the common formats: EAN-13 and UPC-A for retail products, EAN-8 and UPC-E for small packs, Code 128 and Code 39 for labels and inventory, ITF-14 for shipping cartons, plus Interleaved 2 of 5, MSI, Codabar and Pharmacode.
Type your number and the barcode appears instantly. The tool knows the rules of each symbology — it calculates EAN and UPC check digits for you, catches a wrong check digit, converts Code 39 to capitals and explains exactly what is wrong when a value can’t be encoded. Download a crisp PNG for documents and labels or an SVG for professional printing, or create hundreds at once as a ZIP file.
How to use the Barcode Generator
- Choose the barcode type. Use EAN-13 or UPC-A for products sold in shops, Code 128 for anything with letters, and ITF-14 for outer cartons.
- Type the barcode data. For EAN and UPC you can leave out the last digit — the check digit is calculated and shown under the box.
- Adjust bar width, height, font size, margin and colours. Keep dark bars on a light background for reliable scanning.
- Choose a PNG resolution (4× for printing) and press “Download PNG”, or “Download SVG” for a vector file.
- For many labels, switch to “Bulk”, paste one value per line and press “Generate ZIP”.
Barcode Generator features
11 barcode formats
EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 128, Code 39, ITF-14, ITF, MSI Plessey, Codabar and Pharmacode.
Automatic check digits
GS1 Mod 10 check digits are calculated for EAN, UPC and ITF-14, and incorrect ones are flagged with the correct value.
Helpful validation
Clear messages explain allowed characters and lengths for every format instead of a generic “invalid input”.
PNG and SVG
High-resolution PNG at 1×, 2× or 4×, or a scalable SVG that prints perfectly at any size.
Bulk ZIP export
Paste up to 1,000 values to get numbered barcode files in one ZIP, with any invalid lines listed.
Free and private
No sign-up and no watermark; barcodes are drawn locally in your browser.
Barcode format guide
Pick the symbology your scanner, retailer or warehouse expects — they are not interchangeable.
| Format | Characters | Length | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| EAN-13 | Digits | 12 + check digit | Retail products worldwide, books (ISBN starts 978/979) |
| UPC-A | Digits | 11 + check digit | Retail products in the USA and Canada |
| EAN-8 / UPC-E | Digits | 7 + check / 6 (+NS, check) | Small packs where a full code won’t fit |
| Code 128 | All ASCII letters, digits, symbols | Variable | Shipping labels, asset tags, inventory, GS1-128 |
| Code 39 | A–Z, 0–9, space - . $ / + % | Variable | Automotive, defence, ID badges, older systems |
| ITF-14 | Digits | 13 + check digit | Corrugated shipping cartons (GTIN-14) |
| ITF (2 of 5) | Digits | Even count | Warehousing, distribution |
| Codabar | Digits, - $ : / . + | Variable, A–D start/stop | Libraries, blood banks, couriers |
| MSI Plessey | Digits | Variable + Mod 10 | Retail shelf labels |
| Pharmacode | Number 3–131070 | — | Pharmaceutical packaging control |
How the EAN-13 check digit is calculated
EAN, UPC and ITF-14 use the GS1 Mod 10 algorithm. Starting from the rightmost data digit, multiply the digits alternately by 3 and 1, add up the results, and the check digit is the amount needed to reach the next multiple of 10.
Example for 590123412345: from the right, 5×3 + 4×1 + 3×3 + 2×1 + 1×3 + 4×1 + 3×3 + 2×1 + 1×3 + 0×1 + 9×3 + 5×1 = 83. The next multiple of 10 is 90, so the check digit is 7 and the full barcode is 5901234123457.
Important: barcode numbers for selling in shops
This tool draws barcodes; it does not issue numbers. To sell through supermarkets or online marketplaces you need a company prefix and GTINs from GS1 (for example GS1 India, GS1 US or GS1 UK). Made-up EAN or UPC numbers may clash with real products. For internal use — stock, assets, library books — Code 128 with your own numbering is the safest choice.
- Print at 100% size or larger; the nominal EAN-13 is about 37 × 26 mm, and it can be scaled from 80% to 200%.
- Keep the quiet zone (blank margin) on both sides, especially for EAN/UPC.
- Use black bars on white whenever possible; red bars are invisible to most laser scanners.
- Test a printed sample with the scanner you will actually use.
Barcode Generator FAQ
Is this barcode generator free?
Yes. You can create unlimited barcodes, download them as PNG or SVG and use them commercially, with no watermark and no account.
How do I generate an EAN-13 barcode?
Select EAN-13, type the first 12 digits of your number and the tool adds the 13th check digit automatically. If you enter all 13 digits, it verifies the check digit and tells you if it is wrong.
What is the difference between Code 128 and Code 39?
Code 128 encodes all keyboard characters including lowercase letters and is much more compact. Code 39 is limited to capitals, digits and a few symbols and produces wider barcodes, but some older systems still require it.
Can I create barcodes in bulk?
Yes. Switch to “Bulk”, paste up to 1,000 values with one per line and press “Generate ZIP”. Each valid line becomes a numbered PNG or SVG file, and skipped lines are listed with the reason.
Can I make an ISBN barcode for a book?
An ISBN-13 is an EAN-13 number starting with 978 or 979, so select EAN-13 and enter the ISBN without hyphens. The 5-digit price add-on used in some markets is not included.
Which file should I use for printing labels?
SVG is best for design and print software because it stays sharp at any size. If your label software needs an image, download PNG at 4× resolution.
Why won’t my barcode scan?
Common causes are low contrast colours, a missing quiet zone, printing too small, or using a format your scanner is not set up to read. Use dark bars on white and test the size before printing in bulk.