Free Barcode Generator — All Major Formats
Create scannable barcodes and QR codes for free. This tool supports the most widely used barcode formats for retail, shipping, inventory, and general-purpose encoding — all processed locally in your browser.
Supported Barcode Formats
Code 128 — the most versatile 1D barcode, encoding the full ASCII character set. Used for shipping labels (GS1-128), inventory management, and general applications. EAN-13 — the international standard for retail products. Used worldwide on books (ISBN), magazines (ISSN), and consumer goods. UPC-A — the US and Canadian retail standard. Found on virtually every product sold in North American stores. Code 39 — alphanumeric barcode used in military (LOGMARS), automotive (AIAG), and healthcare applications. ITF-14 — designed for shipping cartons and outer packaging in the supply chain. QR Code — 2D barcode that stores URLs, text, contact info, Wi-Fi credentials, and more.
How to Use This Tool
- Choose a format — Select Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 39, ITF-14, or QR Code based on your use case.
- Enter your data — Type or paste the text, numbers, or URL you want to encode. The tool validates your input automatically.
- Customize appearance — Adjust colors, bar width, height, and whether to show human-readable text below the barcode.
- Download or copy — Export as PNG for web use or SVG for print. SVG files scale to any size without losing quality.
Tips for Reliable Scanning
- → Use high contrast. Dark bars on a white or light background ensures the best scan reliability. Avoid red bars — many laser scanners use red light and can't distinguish red from the background.
- → Maintain quiet zones. Leave white space around the barcode — at least 10× the bar width on each side. The tool adds this automatically.
- → Test before printing at scale. Always scan your generated barcode with a real scanner or smartphone before printing a production run.
- → Use SVG for print. SVG exports are vector-based and will remain crisp at any print size. PNG is better for web or screen use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What barcode formats are supported?+
Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 39, ITF-14, and QR Code. Each format is suited to different use cases — Code 128 for shipping, EAN-13 for retail products, UPC-A for US retail, Code 39 for inventory, ITF-14 for cartons, and QR codes for URLs, contact info, and more.
Is this barcode generator really free?+
Yes, 100% free with no signup, no watermarks, and no limits. Barcodes are generated entirely in your browser — your data never leaves your device.
Can I download barcodes as SVG?+
Yes. You can export any generated barcode as PNG (raster) or SVG (vector). SVG is ideal for print because it scales to any size without losing quality.
What size should my barcode be for printing?+
For retail EAN-13 and UPC-A barcodes, the minimum recommended size is 80% of the nominal size (about 26mm x 18mm). For shipping labels with Code 128, aim for at least 1 inch tall. Always test scan your printed barcodes before mass production.
Can I customize barcode colors?+
Yes. You can set custom foreground and background colors. However, for reliable scanning, always ensure high contrast — dark bars on a light background works best. Avoid red or orange bars as many scanners use red lasers.
Are the generated barcodes scannable?+
Yes. All barcodes are generated using standard encoding algorithms and are fully scannable by barcode readers and smartphone cameras. The tool validates input data against each format's requirements.
Does the tool validate barcode data?+
Yes. Each format has specific data requirements — EAN-13 requires exactly 12-13 digits, UPC-A requires 11-12 digits, ITF-14 requires 13-14 digits, and Code 39 supports uppercase letters, digits, and special characters. The tool validates input and calculates check digits automatically.
Can I generate QR codes with this tool?+
Yes. The QR Code format supports any text, URLs, email addresses, phone numbers, Wi-Fi credentials, and more. You can customize the error correction level, size, and colors.
What's the difference between Code 128 and Code 39?+
Code 128 is more compact and encodes the full ASCII character set (128 characters), while Code 39 is limited to uppercase letters, digits, and a few special characters. Code 128 barcodes are shorter for the same data, making them better for space-constrained labels. Code 39 is simpler and self-checking, making it popular in environments where older scanners are used.
What is a check digit?+
A check digit is the last digit in formats like EAN-13, UPC-A, and ITF-14, calculated from the other digits using a mathematical formula. It allows scanners to verify the barcode was read correctly. This tool calculates check digits automatically — just enter the data digits.
Can I use these barcodes commercially?+
Yes. The barcodes generated by this tool are standard-compliant and free to use for any purpose — commercial, personal, or educational. For retail product barcodes (EAN-13, UPC-A), you'll need to obtain a GS1 company prefix to get legitimate product numbers.
What QR code error correction level should I use?+
For most uses, Medium (M) is the best balance of size and reliability. Use High (H) if the QR code will be printed on surfaces that might get damaged (packaging, outdoor signs). Use Low (L) if you need maximum data capacity in the smallest QR code.
Built by Derek Giordano · Part of Ultimate Design Tools
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