Free Barcode Generator

About This Tool

Need a barcode for your product, inventory system, or asset tracking? Our Free Barcode Generator creates professional, scannable barcodes in seconds. For retailers needing UPC/EAN codes for Amazon and other marketplaces, or businesses managing internal assets with Code 128, we support all major industry standards. Generate barcodes instantly with no software installation required.

Supported Barcode Types

Different industries use different standards. Here is how to choose:

• UPC-A (Universal Product Code): The standard for retail products in the USA and Canada. Requires 12 digits.
• EAN-13 (European Article Number): The standard for retail products globally (outside US/Canada). Requires 13 digits.
• Code 128: The most versatile format. Supports letters, numbers, and symbols. High density, making it perfect for shipping labels and inventory tracking.
• Code 39: An older alphanumeric standard, still widely used in automotive and defense industries but takes up more space than Code 128.
• QR Code: 2D barcodes that can store URLs, contact info, or large amounts of text. Scannable by smartphones.

GS1 vs. Private Barcodes

Important for Retailers: If you plan to sell your product in major stores (Walmart, Target) or on Amazon, you typically need to license your UPC/EAN from GS1 (Global Standards 1). This generator creates valid barcode images based on the numbers you provide, but it does not "register" them in the global GS1 database. For internal use or small shops, these generated codes work perfectly.

How to Use This Barcode Generator

Using this tool is straightforward. Enter your data in the text field, select the barcode format from the dropdown, and the barcode renders instantly in the preview panel. For numeric-only formats like EAN-13 and UPC-A, make sure your input contains only digits and matches the required length (12 digits for UPC-A, 13 for EAN-13). Code 128 is the most flexible format and accepts letters, numbers, and symbols.

Customize the appearance by adjusting bar width (thinner for smaller labels, thicker for easier scanning), height, and colors. The foreground and background color pickers let you match your brand guidelines, though black bars on a white background provides the highest scan reliability. Download the finished barcode as a PNG image ready for printing or embedding in documents.

Barcode Scanning Best Practices

A barcode is only useful if scanners can read it reliably. Follow these guidelines for print-ready barcodes:

• Quiet zones: Leave white space around the barcode equal to at least 10x the narrowest bar width. Our generator includes a 10px margin by default.
• Minimum size: UPC and EAN barcodes should be printed at minimum 80% of their nominal size (about 1.18 inches wide for UPC-A). Smaller prints risk scan failures.
• Contrast: Black bars on a white background is the gold standard. Avoid red, orange, or yellow bars since laser scanners use red light and cannot distinguish these colors from the background.
• Surface considerations: Glossy surfaces can cause glare that interferes with scanning. Matte labels or lamination produce more consistent results.

When to Use QR Codes vs Linear Barcodes

Linear (1D) barcodes like UPC and Code 128 encode data in parallel lines and are read by laser scanners. They work best for short numeric or alphanumeric data like product IDs and serial numbers. QR codes are 2D matrix codes that store much more data including full URLs, contact cards, Wi-Fi credentials, and blocks of text up to about 4,000 characters.

Use linear barcodes for retail checkout, warehouse inventory, shipping labels, and any system with dedicated barcode scanners. Choose QR codes for consumer-facing applications like marketing materials, business cards, event tickets, and restaurant menus where smartphone scanning is expected. QR codes also have built-in error correction, meaning they remain scannable even if partially damaged or obscured.

Frequently Asked Questions