Barcode Generator

How to make a barcode

1. Choose the barcode type. If you are not sure, Code 128 works for most uses.
2. Type the value you want in the barcode. The hint under the box tells you what is allowed.
3. Choose the bar thickness, height, colors and border if you want to change them.
4. Download the barcode as a PNG picture or as an SVG file, then test it with a scanner or a scanning app before you print it.

Which barcode type should I use?

• Code 128: the most flexible type. It holds any letters, numbers and symbols in a compact space, so it suits inventory, asset tags, order numbers and shipping labels.
• EAN-13 and UPC-A: the numbers on retail products. EAN-13 is used worldwide, and UPC-A is common in North America. EAN-8 is a short version for very small packages.
• Code 39: a simple, older type for capital letters, numbers and a few symbols, still common in industry, government and ID badges.
• ITF-14: used on outer cartons and cases that contain retail products.
• Interleaved 2 of 5: a compact type for numbers only, used in warehouses and logistics.

Important: product numbers

This tool draws a barcode from any valid number you give it, but it cannot give you a registered product number. If you plan to sell products in shops or on marketplaces that require official barcodes, the EAN and UPC numbers are assigned through GS1, the organisation that manages them. Using a made-up or copied number can cause clashes with other products.

Tips for a barcode that scans well

• Use dark bars on a light background. Strong contrast matters more than style, and inverted or low-contrast barcodes fail on many scanners.
• Keep the empty border around the bars. Scanners need that quiet space to find the start and end.
• Do not stretch or squash the picture. Resizing it evenly is fine, but changing its shape can ruin the bars.
• Print it large enough and with a sharp printer. Thin bars at a small size can blur together, so choose thicker bars for small or low-quality prints.
• Always scan a printed test copy before you print many.

Is it safe and private?

Yes. Your barcode is created entirely in your web browser on your own device. What you type is never uploaded to a server or stored anywhere. The page loads one small open-source library, JsBarcode, when it opens, so it needs an internet connection the first time.

Need a code that holds a web link or Wi-Fi details? Try our QR Code Generator.