Free Barcode Generator

Make print-ready barcodes for products, shelves and inventory. Check digits are calculated for you, and the result downloads as a sharp PNG or vector SVG.

Enter a value.

For retail use, EAN/UPC numbers must be licensed from GS1.

How to make a barcode

Pick the barcode type. Shops and marketplaces use EAN-13 (or UPC-A in North America); warehouses and shipping labels usually use Code 128.
Type the number or text. For EAN-13 and UPC-A the final check digit is worked out automatically — if you paste a full number with a wrong check digit, you will see the correct one.
Adjust the height and colours, then download a PNG for documents or an SVG for professional printing.

Which barcode should I use?

EAN-13 is the global standard for retail items and books (ISBN-13 is an EAN-13 starting with 978 or 979). UPC-A is the 12-digit version common in the USA and Canada. Code 128 stores letters, digits and symbols in a compact space, so it suits order numbers, serials and shipping. Code 39 is older and wider but is still required by some industrial and ID-card systems.

Printing tips

Keep the white margin (quiet zone) on both sides — scanners need it.
Print black bars on white or a light colour. Red bars cannot be read by most laser scanners.
Do not stretch the barcode unevenly. Scale it proportionally, and keep EAN-13 at least about 30 mm wide.

Barcode types compared

EAN-13: 13 digits, numbers only. Used on retail products worldwide and for books (ISBN). The first digits identify the company's GS1 country office, not where the product is made.
UPC-A: 12 digits, numbers only. Standard on products sold in the USA and Canada; most scanners elsewhere read it too.
Code 128: any letters, digits and symbols, with variable length. The most compact general-purpose barcode, used by couriers, warehouses and the GS1-128 logistics standard.
Code 39: capital letters, digits and a few symbols. Self-checking and very tolerant of poor printing, so it is still common on ID badges, automotive parts and defence labels.

What is the check digit?

The last digit of an EAN-13 or UPC-A barcode is a check digit calculated from the other digits. When a scanner reads the code it repeats the calculation, and if the result does not match, it rejects the scan instead of charging for the wrong product. This generator calculates it for you, so you only type the first 12 digits (EAN-13) or 11 digits (UPC-A).

Barcodes for small businesses

You do not need expensive software to label your stock. Typical uses:

Inventory and stock-taking: give every product an internal Code 128 number and scan it with a free phone app or a USB scanner into a spreadsheet.
Asset tracking: label laptops, tools and equipment with an ID so you always know who has what.
Libraries and schools: number books and devices for check-out systems.
Event tickets and membership cards: a unique Code 128 per person, checked at the door.

Barcode or QR code?

A barcode stores a short number that points to a record in a database, which is perfect for checkout tills and warehouses. A QR code stores much more (a full web link, contact card or Wi-Fi login) and can be read by any phone camera. For products, many brands print both: the EAN for the shop till and a QR code for customers. Read our guide QR codes vs barcodes for the details, or make a QR code with the QR code generator.

Frequently asked questions

Is this barcode generator free?

Yes. Every barcode type and download is free, with no account and no watermark.

Do I need to buy barcode numbers?

To sell in shops or on marketplaces such as Amazon, EAN and UPC numbers should be licensed from GS1 so they are unique to your company. For internal use (inventory, assets, events) you can use any numbers.

Can I make an ISBN barcode?

Yes. Choose EAN-13 and enter the 13-digit ISBN starting with 978 or 979.

Why does my barcode not scan?

The usual causes are too little white space around it, low contrast colours, or printing too small. Use dark bars on a white background and print at full size.

Which file format should I send to my printer?

Send the SVG. It is a vector file, so it stays perfectly sharp at any size, which is what professional printers prefer. Use PNG for Word, Excel and websites.

Can I create many barcodes at once?

This page makes one barcode at a time. For many QR codes at once, use the Bulk QR Generator.

What size should a retail barcode be?

The standard EAN-13 size is about 37 × 26 mm. You can scale it between roughly 80% and 200%, but avoid cutting the bar height short.