Barcode Generator — Create Any Barcode Format Free
Our free barcode generator supports all major linear barcode formats including CODE128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, CODE39, CODE93, ITF-14, Codabar, and more. Enter your data, choose your format, customize the appearance, and download as a high-quality SVG or PNG file. No signup, no watermarks.
Barcode Formats Reference
| Format | Data Type | Length | Common Use Cases | Check Digit? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CODE128 | All ASCII characters | Variable | Shipping, inventory, general purpose | Yes (auto) |
| CODE39 | A–Z, 0–9, 8 symbols | Variable | Automotive, healthcare, defense | Optional |
| CODE93 | A–Z, 0–9, special | Variable | Complement to CODE39 | Yes (auto) |
| EAN-13 | Digits only | 13 digits | Retail products worldwide | Yes (last digit) |
| EAN-8 | Digits only | 8 digits | Small retail products | Yes (last digit) |
| UPC-A | Digits only | 12 digits | Retail products (North America) | Yes (last digit) |
| UPC-E | Digits only | 8 digits | Small packages (North America) | Yes (auto) |
| ITF-14 | Digits only (pairs) | 14 digits | Shipping cartons, GS1 | Yes (last digit) |
| Codabar | Digits + 6 symbols | Variable | Libraries, blood banks, FedEx | Optional |
| MSI | Digits only | Variable | Retail shelving, inventory | Optional |
Choosing the Right Barcode Format
| Your Use Case | Recommended Format | Why |
|---|---|---|
| General inventory / internal | CODE128 | Most flexible, supports any text and numbers |
| Retail product (worldwide) | EAN-13 | International standard for consumer goods |
| Retail product (US only) | UPC-A | North American retail standard |
| Small retail product | EAN-8 | Compact version for small packaging |
| Shipping carton | ITF-14 | GS1 standard for outer packaging |
| Library books | Codabar or CODE39 | Traditional library formats |
| Healthcare / pharmaceuticals | CODE128 or Pharmacode | High-density, flexible |
| Industrial / automotive | CODE39 | Simple, widely supported in industry |
| US mail / postal | Intelligent Mail (IMb) | USPS official format |
EAN-13 Barcode Structure
EAN-13 is the most common retail barcode worldwide. Understanding its structure helps you generate valid codes:
| Digits | Position | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | 1–3 | GS1 company prefix (country + company) |
| 4–12 | 4–12 | Product reference (company assigned) |
| 13 | 13 | Check digit (calculated automatically) |
| 000–099 | 1–3 | USA and Canada (UPC compatible) |
| 300–379 | 1–3 | France |
| 400–440 | 1–3 | Germany |
| 450–459 | 1–3 | Japan |
| 690–699 | 1–3 | China |
| 978–979 | 1–3 | Books (ISBN) |
| 977 | 1–3 | Periodicals (ISSN) |
Barcode Size and Print Specifications
| Specification | Minimum | Nominal | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bar width (X dimension) | 0.264mm | 0.33mm | 0.66mm |
| EAN-13 total width | 29.83mm | 37.29mm | 74.58mm |
| EAN-13 total height | 22.85mm | 25.93mm | 51.86mm |
| Quiet zone (each side) | 3mm | 3.63mm | — |
| Print resolution | 150 DPI | 300 DPI | 600 DPI+ |
| Ink spread tolerance | ±0.05mm | — | ±0.10mm |
Barcode Colors and Contrast Requirements
Barcode scanners typically use red laser or LED light. The barcode must absorb the light (dark bars) while the spaces reflect it (light areas). Standard black on white provides optimal contrast:
| Color Combination | Scannable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Black bars on white | Excellent | Standard, always works |
| Dark blue on white | Good | Blue absorbs red laser |
| Dark green on white | Good | Green absorbs red laser |
| Dark brown on white | Good | Brown absorbs red laser |
| Red on white | Poor | Red reflects red laser — avoid |
| Red on green | No | Similar reflectance issues |
| Any on black | No | No contrast for scanner |
| White bars on black | Sometimes | Inverse — test thoroughly |
How Barcode Scanning Works
A barcode scanner works by shining a light (typically a red laser or LED) across the barcode and measuring the reflected light. Dark bars absorb the light; light spaces reflect it. This creates a pattern of electrical pulses that the scanner decodes into the original data.
Modern smartphone cameras scan barcodes using image processing software that analyzes the contrast pattern in the camera feed. Many browsers and apps can decode common formats when you point the camera at a printed or on-screen code.
GS1 Standards and Official Barcodes
For official retail product barcodes (EAN-13, UPC-A), the numbers must be registered with GS1 — the international organization that manages product identification standards. A GS1 company prefix guarantees your barcode numbers are globally unique and won't conflict with other products.
- For internal use— You can use any numbers you choose for internal inventory systems. The numbers don't need to be GS1-registered for internal tracking.
- For retail sale — If you plan to sell products in retail stores or online marketplaces, obtain a GS1 company prefix from gs1.org to get legitimately assigned barcodes.
- For books and publications — ISBNs are encoded as EAN-13 barcodes with the 978 or 979 prefix. ISBNs are assigned by national ISBN agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I generate EAN-13 barcodes for free products?
You can generate a technically valid EAN-13 barcode image for free here. However, for products sold in retail stores or listed on major e-commerce platforms like Amazon, you need a GS1-registered number. Using unregistered numbers risks conflicts with other companies' products and may violate retailer policies.
What is the best barcode format for inventory?
CODE128 is the best choice for internal inventory systems — it supports all letters, numbers, and symbols, has no length restrictions, and is widely supported by all barcode scanners. For inventory that will be sold at retail, use EAN-13 or UPC-A with registered GS1 numbers.
How do I scan a barcode with my phone?
On iPhone (iOS 11+): open the built-in Camera app and point at the barcode — a notification appears with the decoded content. On Android (9+): Google Lens (built into most camera apps) detects barcodes automatically. Older devices may need a dedicated barcode scanner app from the app store.
How small can a barcode be and still scan?
The minimum reliable size depends on the format and scanner. For handheld retail scanners, the minimum bar width (X dimension) is approximately 0.264mm. A full EAN-13 barcode at minimum size is about 29.83mm wide × 22.85mm tall. Mobile phone cameras can generally scan barcodes as small as 15–20mm wide in good lighting conditions.
What is the difference between a barcode and a QR code?
Traditional (linear/1D) barcodes encode data in one dimension — a series of parallel bars read by horizontal scanning. They typically store tens of characters. QR codes are 2D barcodes that encode data in both dimensions, storing much more data. QR codes are versatile for consumer applications, while 1D barcodes remain standard in retail and logistics due to simplicity and fast scanning.
More tools: Color Picker, Image Resizer.