Barcode generator

Barcodes for products, labels and inventory

A barcode encodes a short piece of text or a number as a pattern of bars that a scanner reads quickly and without errors. It is behind every supermarket checkout, warehouse and library. If you sell products, label your own stock or need a scannable code for an internal process, you can create it here in seconds, without installing anything.

Which type to choose

• EAN-13: the standard product code in Europe and most of the world. Twelve digits plus a check digit.
• EAN-8: a short version for small packages. Seven digits plus a check digit.
• UPC-A: the twelve-digit code used in the United States and Canada.
• Code 128: a compact code that accepts letters, digits and symbols. It suits shipping labels, asset tags and general internal use.
• Code 39: an older code with capital letters, digits and a few symbols, still common in industry and identification cards.
• ITF-14: the code printed on cartons and outer packaging that hold several products.

The check digit

EAN and UPC codes end with a check digit calculated from the others, which lets scanners detect a misread. Enter the code without it and it is added. Enter it with the digit and it is verified, with a warning if it is wrong.

Getting a scannable result

Keep good contrast, black bars on a white background, and leave a quiet margin around the code. Do not stretch the image in one direction only, and print it large enough for the scanner you will use. SVG stays sharp at any size, so it is the better choice for print. Always test a printed sample with a real scanner before printing a large run.

What this does not do

Numbers for products sold in shops are assigned through the GS1 organization in your country. This tool draws the barcode for a number, it does not give you the right to use one. An arbitrary number may clash with an existing product. The code is created in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere. To check that a code is valid first, use the ISBN and EAN validator.