Web & SEO

Barcode Generator — Free 2026

Generate Code128, EAN-13, and UPC-A barcodes instantly. Download as PNG for labels, packaging, and inventory management.

Content Please enter valid content for the selected format.

Format

Barcode Preview

How It Works

Enter content
Select format
Download or copy

Understanding Barcode Formats

Barcodes are machine-readable representations of data using patterns of parallel lines and spaces. They are essential for retail, logistics, healthcare, and inventory management. This free tool generates three of the most widely used linear barcode formats, each suited to different applications and industries.

Code 128 — The Universal Barcode

Code 128 is a high-density barcode symbology that can encode all 128 ASCII characters, including letters, numbers, and special characters. It is widely used for shipping labels (GS1-128), inventory tracking, and any application where alphanumeric data needs to be encoded compactly. Code 128 automatically selects the most efficient encoding mode among its three character sets (A, B, and C) to minimize barcode width.

EAN-13 and UPC-A for Retail Products

EAN-13 (European Article Number) is the international standard for product identification, used on virtually every consumer product sold worldwide. UPC-A (Universal Product Code) is the North American variant and is technically a subset of EAN-13 with a leading zero. Both formats include a check digit for error detection. If you need to generate QR codes instead of linear barcodes, try our QR code generator. For creating unique identifiers for your systems, the UUID generator is also useful.

Printing and Scanning Tips

For reliable scanning, print barcodes at a minimum of 300 DPI. Maintain adequate quiet zones (blank space) on both sides of the barcode — at least 10 times the narrowest bar width. Dark bars on a white background provide the best contrast for scanners. Avoid scaling barcodes below 80% of their original size, as this can make narrow bars unreadable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What barcode formats does this tool support?

This tool supports Code128 (any ASCII text), EAN-13 (13-digit European Article Number), and UPC-A (12-digit Universal Product Code). Code128 is the most versatile and can encode any text string.

Can I download the barcode as an image?

Yes. Click the Download PNG button to save the generated barcode as a PNG image file that you can print or embed in documents, labels, and packaging.

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

UPC-A uses 12 digits and is primarily used in North America. EAN-13 uses 13 digits and is the international standard. A UPC-A code is actually a subset of EAN-13 with a leading zero. Both are used for retail product identification.

Is Code128 suitable for inventory management?

Yes. Code128 is one of the most popular barcode formats for logistics, inventory, and shipping labels. It can encode all 128 ASCII characters, making it highly versatile for any alphanumeric data.