Barcode Generator

Code128

The most versatile barcode format, supporting alphanumeric characters. Ideal for general-purpose applications, shipping labels, and package tracking. High density with good error correction.

EAN-13

European Article Number with 13 digits. The standard for retail products worldwide. Includes country code, manufacturer code, product code, and check digit. Required for selling products in European retail.

UPC-A

Universal Product Code with 12 digits. The standard for retail products in North America. Similar to EAN-13 but with one less digit. Required for selling products in US and Canadian retail stores.

Code39

Alphanumeric barcode widely used in automotive and defense industries. Easy to print and decode, but lower density than Code128. Supports uppercase letters, numbers, and some special characters.

ITF-14

Interleaved 2 of 5 with 14 digits. Used for shipping containers and cartons. High density numeric-only format with excellent print tolerance, making it ideal for corrugated cardboard.

Codabar

Simple numeric barcode used in libraries, blood banks, and logistics. Supports numbers and limited special characters. Easy to print and decode with minimal equipment.

EAN-8

Compact 8-digit version of EAN-13 for small products. Used when packaging is too small for EAN-13. Common on cigarettes, gum, and small cosmetics.

ISBN

International Standard Book Number for books. Can be 10 or 13 digits (ISBN-13 is now standard). Identifies books uniquely worldwide and is required for book distribution.

For Retail Products

Use EAN-13 for international products or UPC-A for North American products. You’ll need to register for official codes through GS1. For small items, use EAN-8.

For Internal Inventory

Use Code128 for maximum flexibility with alphanumeric data, or Code39for simpler numeric systems. Code128 is more compact and efficient.

For Shipping & Logistics

Use Code128 for tracking numbers and labels, or ITF-14 for case-level shipping containers. ITF-14 works better on corrugated boxes.

For Books

Use ISBN barcode format. The ISBN must be obtained from the ISBN agency in your country. Most books now use the 13-digit ISBN format (ISBN-13).

Resolution & DPI

• 72 DPI: Screen display only - not suitable for printing
• 150 DPI: Standard printing - acceptable for most applications
• 300 DPI: High-quality printing - recommended for professional labels
• 600 DPI: Professional labels - best for thermal transfer printers

Quiet Zone (Margins)

Always maintain adequate quiet zones (white space) on both sides of the barcode. The quiet zone should be at least 10 times the width of the narrowest bar. This is critical for reliable scanning.

Color & Contrast

Use black bars on white background for best results. Dark colors (dark blue, dark brown) on light backgrounds also work. Avoid red ink on white, as many scanners use red light. Ensure high contrast ratios.

Size & Scaling

Don’t scale barcodes non-uniformly. Always maintain aspect ratio. Minimum height should be at least 0.5 inches (12.7mm) for retail barcodes. Test scan your barcodes before mass printing.

Testing

Always test print and scan a sample before printing large quantities. Use different scanners if possible. Verify the data decodes correctly and matches your input.

What DPI should I use for printing?

For professional results, use 300 DPI or higher. For standard office printing, 150 DPI is acceptable. For thermal label printers, 600 DPI produces the best results. Never use 72 DPI for printing - it’s only suitable for screen display.

Can I scan these barcodes?

Yes! The barcodes generated by this tool are fully compliant with industry standards and can be scanned by any standard barcode scanner. Make sure to print with adequate DPI (300+ recommended) and maintain proper quiet zones for reliable scanning.

How do I get a registered UPC code?

Official UPC and EAN codes must be purchased from GS1 (www.gs1.org), the global standards organization. This ensures your codes are unique worldwide. For internal use or small-scale applications, you can generate codes freely, but for retail distribution, official registration is required.

What’s the quiet zone and why is it important?

The quiet zone is the blank margin on both sides of a barcode. It’s critical for scanners to detect where the barcode starts and ends. Without adequate quiet zones, scanners may fail to read the barcode or read it incorrectly. Our generator includes proper quiet zones automatically.

Can I use colors other than black and white?

While black on white provides the best scanning reliability, you can use other dark colors on light backgrounds. Avoid red bars (many scanners use red lasers), and ensure high contrast. Test thoroughly before mass production.

What format should I use for printing?

For professional printing, use SVG (vector) format - it scales perfectly to any size without quality loss. For office printers, use PNG at 300 DPI. For embedding in documents, PDF format works best and maintains quality.

Can I generate multiple barcodes at once?

Yes! Use the batch generation feature. Upload a CSV file with columns for barcode type and data, and the tool will generate all barcodes at once. You can download them as a ZIP file with all formats.