EAN-13
The retail standard outside North America. Thirteen digits: prefix, company, product, check digit.
- Data
- 12 digits + check
- Use for
- Products sold in shops
Four steps
How to make a barcode
- Pick the type. Retail packaging outside North America uses EAN-13; North American retail uses UPC-A. For anything internal — shelf labels, asset tags, work orders — use Code 128.
- Type the value. Enter the number without its check digit and the generator adds the right one. Paste a full number and it is verified instead.
- Set the size. The readout under the preview shows the X-dimension and printed width in millimetres, so you can match the symbol to your label before you print.
- Download. SVG keeps exact bar widths at any size. PNG comes out at 4× for crisp screen use.
Ten formats
Which barcode should you use?
EAN-8
The short retail code for packages too small to carry a full EAN-13.
- Data
- 7 digits + check
- Use for
- Small packaging
UPC-A
The twelve-digit North American retail code — an EAN-13 with a leading zero, which is why scanners read both.
- Data
- 11 digits + check
- Use for
- US and Canadian retail
Code 128
Encodes any ASCII text and switches character sets automatically to stay compact.
- Data
- Letters, digits, symbols
- Use for
- Shipping, inventory
Code 39
Older and wider, but readable by practically every scanner ever built.
- Data
- A–Z, 0–9, - . $ / + %
- Use for
- Legacy equipment
ITF-14
The carton code, framed by heavy bearer bars so it survives corrugated cardboard.
- Data
- 13 digits + check
- Use for
- Cases and pallets
QR Code
Two-dimensional and read by any phone camera. Holds links, Wi-Fi details or plain text.
- Data
- Any text
- Use for
- Links on packaging
ISBN
Bookland numbers rendered as EAN-13, with support for ISBN-10 and ISBN-13 input.
- Data
- ISBN-10 or ISBN-13
- Use for
- Books
GS1-128
Structured Code 128 data for logistics labels, batches and expiry dates.
- Data
- Application identifiers
- Use for
- Cartons and pallets
Data Matrix
Compact two-dimensional symbols for small parts, instruments and industrial labels.
- Data
- Any text
- Use for
- Small item marking
Reference
Specifications at a glance
| Type | Character set | Length | Check digit | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EAN-13 | Digits | 13 | Mod 10, automatic | Retail |
| EAN-8 | Digits | 8 | Mod 10, automatic | Small retail packs |
| UPC-A | Digits | 12 | Mod 10, automatic | North American retail |
| Code 128 | ASCII 0–127 | 1–80 characters | Mod 103, built in | Logistics, inventory |
| Code 39 | A–Z 0–9 - . space $ / + % | 1–43 characters | Optional, not used | Asset and legacy labels |
| ITF-14 | Digits | 14 | Mod 10, automatic | Shipping cartons |
| QR Code | Any text (UTF-8) | up to ~850 characters | Reed–Solomon, built in | Links on packaging |
| ISBN | Digits, hyphens, trailing X | 10 or 13 digits | Mod 10, automatic | Books |
| GS1-128 | ASCII plus application identifiers | up to ~80 characters | Mod 103, built in | Logistics labels |
| Data Matrix | Any text (UTF-8) | up to ~170 characters | Reed–Solomon, built in | Small parts marking |
Before you print
Getting a barcode that actually scans
- Keep the quiet zones. The blank margin on each side is part of the symbol. Every download already includes it — do not crop to the bars.
- Respect the X-dimension. Retail symbols need 0.264 mm or more per module. The preview readout tells you where you stand.
- Print dark on light. Black on white is safest. Red bars are invisible to a red laser scanner.
- Use SVG for print. Scaling a PNG blurs bar edges, the most common reason a home-printed barcode fails.
- Test before the run. Print one, scan it with a phone and with a real scanner, then commit to a thousand labels.
Last reviewed: · How we maintain these tools
Keep exploring
More free barcode tools
EAN-13 barcode generatorMake a retail barcode for products sold worldwide.
UPC-A barcode generatorCreate a 12-digit barcode for North American retail.
Code 128 barcode generatorEncode SKUs, shipping references and inventory IDs.
QR code generatorCreate a QR code for a URL or any short text.
Bulk barcode generatorGenerate a printable sheet from a list of values.
Barcode check digit calculatorCheck the final digit of a GTIN before printing.
Find the right tool for the job
Start with the system that must read the result. If you are selling an item at retail, first find the product number assigned to that exact size, color or pack count. Then use the generator that matches the retailer’s requested symbol. If you only need to identify your own shelf or a piece of equipment, use an internal ID and choose a format your scanner and software can read. A barcode image represents a value; it does not allocate a retail number or enroll a product in a marketplace.
Retail, books and shipping
Use EAN-13 or UPC-A when the recipient specifies those symbols. Choose EAN-8 only if you have the appropriate short identifier. The ISBN generator draws a Bookland symbol for a book number you already have. For distribution, compare the ITF-14 carton generator with the GS1-128 generator: the former encodes a trade-item number, whereas a GS1 logistics workflow can require additional structured fields. Use the check digit calculator to check arithmetic separately from product assignment.
Stockrooms and printed labels
Try Code 128 for a compact internal ID or Code 39 when legacy equipment requires it. Data Matrix can suit a small part label if the reader supports that format. To create several codes from a list, start with the bulk barcode generator and try a few representative rows before exporting the full batch. Use the address label generator for mailing layouts. The Etsy and Shopify tools explain where your own stock IDs fit into each selling workflow.
Links, networks and contacts
Use the QR code generator for a public address or short text. Open the intended address without signing in before printing it. Use a Wi-Fi QR for a guest network whose details you intend to share, and a vCard QR for public contact details. Keep a plain-text alternative beside a QR intended for the public. People without a camera or data connection should still know how to get the information they need.
Check one real copy before ordering a batch
Generate a sample with a value you are entitled to use. Choose an export your label application can handle, leave room for the clear margins and print at actual size. Scan on the stock, product or holder you will use. Compare the decoded value with your source record, then try it in the receiving app. A good phone scan is a useful first check; it does not certify the print or confirm acceptance at a retail register.
Browse the barcode guides for step-by-step proofing, product numbering and QR placement, or compare the barcode formats before choosing a tool.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is this barcode generator really free?
Yes. No sign-up, no watermark, no cap on how many you make, and the files are yours to use commercially.
Are my barcode numbers uploaded anywhere?
No. The encoder is JavaScript running on your device. Barcode values are not sent to a server, and once the page has loaded it keeps working offline. Optional Analytics is handled separately and only starts after consent.
Can I sell products with a barcode I generate here?
You can print any number you already own. Retail EAN and UPC numbers have to be licensed from GS1 — this tool turns a number into a scannable symbol, it does not assign one to you.
Should I download SVG or PNG?
SVG for anything that gets printed, because it is vector and holds exact bar widths at any size. PNG when a marketplace or document will not take vector files.
What is a check digit?
The final digit of an EAN, UPC or ITF-14 number is derived from the digits before it, so a scanner can catch a misread. Type the number without it and the correct digit is added.
Why is my barcode not scanning?
Usually the quiet zone was cropped, the image was scaled up from a low-resolution PNG, the contrast is too low, or the bars are too narrow for the printer. Re-download as SVG at a larger module width.
Can I share a barcode I made?
Yes. Use Share to open your phone’s sharing menu, or copy the link and send it through WhatsApp, X or email. The link contains the barcode type and value, so share it only if you want others to see that value.
How do I make a barcode for free?
Choose a format, enter a value and use the preview to check it. Download the barcode as an image or PDF; no sign-up is required, and the value is encoded in your browser.
Which format should I use?
Use SVG or PDF for print because vector output preserves sharp edges at different sizes. PNG is a good choice for the web. JPG or GIF can help with older software that does not accept PNG.