Barcode Generator
Generate 16 popular barcode formats including Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A, QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF417, and more. Download barcodes as PNG with customizable settings.
Barcode Settings
Generated Barcode
Generated barcode will appear here
Enter a value and click "Generate Barcode" to start
About Barcode Generator
The Barcode Generator is a comprehensive online tool that creates 16 popular barcode formats including both 1D linear barcodes (Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A, ITF-14) and 2D matrix codes (QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec Code). Whether you need to generate product barcodes for inventory management, shipping labels, or any tracking application, this tool provides a simple and reliable solution with customizable scale, rotation, and display options.
Why use a Barcode Generator?
Using a professional barcode generator ensures compatibility with standard barcode scanners and systems. Barcodes are essential for inventory management, point-of-sale systems, shipping and logistics, asset tracking, and product identification. This tool generates high-quality, scannable barcodes that comply with industry standards, eliminating the need for expensive barcode generation software.
Who is it for?
This tool is perfect for small business owners setting up inventory systems, e-commerce sellers creating product labels, warehouse managers implementing tracking systems, retail store owners generating price tags, logistics companies creating shipping labels, event organizers generating ticket barcodes, and developers integrating barcode functionality into applications.
How to use the tool
Enter the text or numbers you want to encode in the barcode
Select from 16 barcode formats: 1D formats (Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A, ITF-14, etc.) or 2D formats (QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec)
Set Scale X to control line thickness (width) and Scale Y to control height
Optionally choose a rotation and enter alternative text to print instead of the encoded value
Toggle "Include Text" to show or hide the text below the barcode
Click "Generate Barcode" to create your barcode
Download the barcode as a PNG image (there is no SVG export or copy-to-clipboard)
Use the "Clear" button to clear all inputs and start fresh
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I generate a barcode online?
Choose the barcode type (16 are available, including Code 128, Code 39, EAN-13, UPC-A, ISBN, ITF-14 and the 2D codes QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF417 and Aztec), enter the data, and click Generate Barcode. The tool draws the barcode and lets you download it as a PNG image. You can set the horizontal and vertical scale, rotate it, hide or replace the human-readable text. There is no SVG export. Useful for: product labels, inventory tags, asset management, event tickets. Runs entirely in your browser — your data never leaves the device.
What barcode format should I use?
Depends on data and use case. **Code 128**: most versatile — supports any ASCII characters, used in shipping. **Code 39**: alphanumeric only, used in industrial settings. **EAN-13**: 13-digit, retail products in Europe/Asia (replaces UPC for international). **UPC-A**: 12-digit, retail products in US/Canada. **ISBN**: 13-digit book identifier (publishing). **ITF-14 / Interleaved 2 of 5**: numeric, used on shipping cartons. **QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec**: 2D codes that hold much more data (URLs, contact details, documents); this tool generates them too.
Is my data sent to a server?
No — barcode generation runs entirely in your browser via the bwip-js JavaScript library. Your data never reaches a server, never gets logged. Verify in DevTools' Network tab: generating a barcode makes no HTTP requests. Safe for proprietary product codes, internal asset numbers, or sensitive identifiers.
Why does my barcode scanner not read the generated barcode?
Several common causes. (1) Quiet zone — barcodes need empty white space around them (typically 10x the narrowest bar width); cropping too tight breaks scanning. (2) Print resolution — for printed barcodes, use 300+ DPI; lower resolution causes scan failures. (3) Format match — your scanner must support the barcode format you generated. (4) Damage / smudging on the printed code. (5) Insufficient size — very small barcodes (<2cm wide) need higher print resolution. For mission-critical applications, test the generated barcode with a real scanner before mass production.
What's the difference between 1D barcodes and QR codes?
1D barcodes (Code 128, EAN, UPC) are linear — bars of varying widths read horizontally. Store small amounts of data (typically 10-20 characters). QR codes (2D) store much more data (up to 7000 numeric, 4000 alphanumeric, 2900 bytes) in a grid pattern. 1D barcodes are simpler and more compact for short identifiers (product codes, shipping labels); QR codes for URLs, contact cards, complex data. This tool generates both: pick 'QR Code' (or Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec) from the Barcode Type list. The options are the same for all types (scale, rotation, text).
Can I include text labels under the barcode?
Yes. The 'Include Text' checkbox (on by default) prints the human-readable value below the bars, and the 'Alt Text' field lets you print different text instead. The text is for humans (to verify the code matches expected value); the barcode itself is for scanners. There is no font choice. For printed labels with branding, composite the downloaded PNG into your label design in a graphics editor.
What about EAN-13 check digits?
EAN-13 (and most retail barcodes) include a check digit — the last digit, computed from the preceding 12 digits via a specific algorithm. The check digit lets scanners detect partial mis-reads. This tool calculates the check digit for you when you enter the 12-digit base (11 digits for UPC-A, 7 for EAN-8); if you enter the full code, the generator rejects it when the check digit is wrong. For programmatic generation, the algorithm is standard (sum of odd-positioned digits × 1 + even-positioned × 3, mod 10).
Can I generate barcodes for retail products?
For your own products: yes — but you need a registered GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) from GS1 (the global standards body for retail barcodes). GS1 sells GTIN prefixes; you get a block of numbers and assign them to your products. For testing or non-retail use (internal inventory, asset tags), generate freely with any number — they just won't conflict with real retail products. Never use a GTIN that belongs to another company — barcodes are unique identifiers.
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