How to Generate a Barcode Online for Free
What Are Barcodes Used For?
Barcodes encode data in a machine-readable visual format. They are used for product identification in retail, inventory tracking in warehouses, package tracking in shipping, patient wristbands in healthcare, event tickets, library books, and equipment tagging. Each industry tends to use specific barcode formats optimized for its requirements.
Common Barcode Formats Explained
- EAN-13: 13-digit code used for retail products internationally. The format includes a country code prefix, manufacturer code, and product code. Required for most retail shelf sales.
- UPC-A: 12-digit code used for retail products in the US and Canada. Similar to EAN-13 but without the country prefix.
- Code 128: High-density barcode encoding all 128 ASCII characters. Used in shipping, logistics, and industrial applications. Very compact for long data strings.
- Code 39: Older, wider barcode format encoding uppercase letters, numbers, and a few symbols. Widely used in defense, government, and automotive industries.
- QR Code: Two-dimensional matrix code holding far more data than traditional barcodes. Scannable by smartphones without a dedicated scanner.
Free Barcode Generator
Generate EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 128, Code 39, and more. Download as PNG or SVG for print and digital use — no sign-up needed.
Generate Barcode Free →How to Generate a Barcode
- Choose your format. Select EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 128, Code 39, or another format based on your use case.
- Enter your data. Type the number or text string to encode. EAN-13 requires exactly 13 digits; Code 128 accepts alphanumeric strings.
- Set dimensions. Specify the width and height (or module size) for your print or digital application.
- Download. Download as PNG for digital use or SVG for scalable print output.
Printing Quality Requirements
Barcodes must be printed at sufficient resolution to be accurately scanned: at least 300 DPI for standard barcodes, 600 DPI for small barcodes. Use SVG format for print-ready output since it scales without pixelation. Always test-scan a printed barcode before mass production.
Getting a GS1 Number for Retail
If you want to sell products in retail stores, your EAN-13 or UPC-A barcode number must be registered with GS1, the global barcode standards organization. Free barcode generators can create the visual barcode, but the number itself must be officially assigned by GS1 to ensure global uniqueness. Self-assigned numbers without GS1 registration are only suitable for internal use.