Free Online Tool

Barcode Generator

Generate barcodes in 9 formats. Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 39, and more. Custom colors, adjustable size, download as PNG or SVG. Free, instant, no sign-up.

Alphanumeric, most common

Barcode Format Reference

Code 128

Alphanumeric, most common

EAN-13

13-digit product barcode

EAN-8

8-digit compact barcode

UPC-A

12-digit US product code

Code 39

Alphanumeric, industrial

ITF-14

14-digit shipping code

MSI

Numeric, inventory tracking

Pharmacode

Pharmaceutical packaging

Codabar

Libraries, blood banks

9 Barcode Formats

Code 128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, Code 39, ITF-14, MSI, Pharmacode, and Codabar. The right format for every use case.

Custom Colors

Change bar color and background color to match your brand or design. Full hex color picker with manual input.

Adjustable Size

Control bar width and height. Five width options and five height presets for precise control over barcode dimensions.

PNG & SVG Download

Download as high-resolution PNG for print or SVG for web. SVG files scale to any size without losing quality.

Print Ready

Print barcodes directly from the browser. Clean output centered on the page, ready for labels and packaging.

Copy SVG Code

Copy the raw SVG code and paste it directly into your website, app, or design tool. No file downloads needed.

What Is a Barcode Generator?

A barcode generator is a tool that converts text or numbers into a visual barcode image. You enter a value, pick a format, and the tool renders a scannable barcode that any barcode reader can decode. It is the same technology used on every product in every store, but now you can create your own in seconds.

Barcodes encode information using patterns of parallel lines of varying widths and spacings. Different formats use different encoding schemes, which is why EAN-13 barcodes look different from Code 39 barcodes. Each format has specific rules about what characters it can encode and how many digits it requires.

Our generator supports 9 of the most widely used barcode formats. It runs entirely in your browser, so your data never leaves your device. You can customize colors, adjust dimensions, and download the result as PNG for print or SVG for web. No watermarks, no limits, no sign-ups.

How to Create a Barcode

Creating a barcode takes less than a minute:

  1. 1Choose your barcode format. Code 128 is the most versatile and works with any text or number. EAN-13 and UPC-A are standard product barcodes. Code 39 is common in industrial settings.
  2. 2Enter the value you want to encode. The input requirements depend on the format. Code 128 accepts any text. EAN-13 requires exactly 12 or 13 digits.
  3. 3Customize the appearance. Change bar and background colors, adjust width and height, and toggle the text display under the barcode.
  4. 4The barcode renders in real time as you make changes. Check the preview to make sure it looks correct.
  5. 5Download as PNG for print labels or SVG for web use. You can also copy the SVG code directly or print from the browser.

Barcode Formats Explained

Each barcode format was designed for a specific industry or use case. Here is what each one does and when to use it:

FormatCharactersCommon Use
Code 128All ASCII charactersGeneral purpose, shipping labels, inventory
EAN-1313 digitsInternational product identification
EAN-88 digitsSmall product packages
UPC-A12 digitsUS and Canadian retail products
Code 39A-Z, 0-9, symbolsMilitary, automotive, industrial
ITF-1414 digitsShipping cartons, outer packaging
MSIDigits onlyInventory management, warehouse
PharmacodeNumbers 3-131070Pharmaceutical packaging
CodabarDigits, symbolsLibraries, blood banks, FedEx

If you are not sure which format to use, start with Code 128. It is the most flexible format, accepts any text or number, and is universally supported by barcode scanners.

Who Uses a Barcode Generator?

Barcodes are everywhere, and the people who create them are just as varied:

Small business owners creating product labels and inventory tracking systems
E-commerce sellers generating shipping labels and package identification
Warehouse managers building inventory management and asset tracking systems
Librarians creating book identification labels and patron card barcodes
Event organizers making scannable tickets and badges
Healthcare professionals generating patient identification and specimen labels
Retail stores printing shelf labels and price tags with scannable codes
Developers testing barcode scanning functionality in apps and systems
Schools and universities creating student ID badges and library cards
Anyone who needs a quick, free barcode without installing software

PNG vs. SVG: Which Format to Download

The generator lets you download barcodes in two formats, and the right choice depends on how you plan to use it.

PNG is a raster image format. It works at a fixed resolution. Our PNG exports are rendered at 2x resolution for crisp output. Use PNG when you need to print labels, attach barcodes to documents, or upload to platforms that do not support SVG. It is the most universally compatible option.

SVG is a vector format. It scales to any size without losing quality. A barcode that looks perfect at 1 inch wide will look just as perfect at 10 inches wide. Use SVG when you need barcodes for web pages, design tools like Figma or Illustrator, or any situation where the final size might change.

When in doubt, download both. The PNG gives you immediate compatibility and the SVG gives you future flexibility.

Tips for Creating Scannable Barcodes

A barcode that looks good is not always a barcode that scans well. Here are some practical tips:

1

Keep high contrast

Dark bars on a light background scan best. Black on white is the gold standard. Avoid light-colored bars or dark backgrounds as scanners may struggle to read them.

2

Do not make it too small

Barcodes need a minimum size to be reliably scannable. As a rule, keep the height at least 80px and the width at 1.5 or higher for most formats.

3

Leave quiet zones

The white space around a barcode is called the quiet zone. Our generator includes this automatically, but make sure you do not crop it when placing the barcode in your design.

4

Use the right format

If you are generating product barcodes for retail, use EAN-13 or UPC-A. For general-purpose labels, Code 128 is the safest choice. Using the wrong format can cause scanning failures.

5

Test before printing

Always scan your barcode with a real reader or phone app before printing a batch. A single wrong digit in EAN-13 will produce an invalid barcode.

Frequently Asked Questions

Need a Barcode?

Pick a format, enter your value, and download a scannable barcode in seconds. 9 formats, custom colors, PNG and SVG. Free, instant, no sign-up.

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