Free Online Barcode Generator

Create barcodes online instantly with our free barcode generator. Generate Code 128, Code 39, EAN-13, EAN-8, and UPC-A barcodes for products, inventory management, and retail applications.

  1. Enter your data (product code, text, or numbers)
  2. Select barcode format (Code 128 for general use, EAN-13/UPC-A for retail)
  3. Choose output format (PNG for digital, SVG for printing)
  4. Click "Generate" and download your barcode
Pro Tip: Use SVG for labels you'll print (scalable to any size). Use PNG 300-600 DPI for high-quality label printing!
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Generate traditional barcodes online

Create professional barcodes instantly

Generate Barcode

Generate Barcode

Maximum 500 characters. For URLs, include https://
Choose the appropriate barcode format for your use case
Uncheck for transparent background (PNG only)

Generated Barcode

Your generated barcode will appear here

Generated locally in your browser for privacy

The Best Free Online Barcode Generator

Looking for a free barcode generator? Create professional barcodes online in seconds. Our online barcode generator supports Code 128, Code 39, EAN-13, EAN-8, and UPC-A formats. Perfect for product labels, inventory management, retail POS systems, and asset tracking. Works with any barcode scanner.

Why Use Our Free Barcode Generator?

5 Barcode Formats

Support for Code 128, Code 39, EAN-13, EAN-8, and UPC-A standards

Instant Download

Download PNG and SVG formats in multiple sizes instantly

Client-Side Generation

All barcodes generated locally in your browser for privacy

High Quality

Professional scannable barcodes with customizable sizes

How to Create Barcodes Online Free

1

Enter Data

Input your product code, text, or numbers to encode

2

Choose Format

Select barcode type and customize size and background

3

Download & Use

Generate and download your barcode as PNG or SVG

Barcode Types You Can Generate

Code 128: High-density alphanumeric barcode for general use—most versatile option
Code 39: Alphanumeric barcode with limited characters—widely supported standard
EAN-13: Standard 13-digit product barcode used worldwide for retail items
EAN-8 & UPC-A: Compact 8-digit and 12-digit US standard product barcodes

Barcode Generator Use Cases

  • Product Labeling: Create barcodes for packaging and labels
  • Inventory Management: Track stock and warehouse items
  • Retail Point-of-Sale: Generate barcodes for checkout systems
  • Asset Tracking: Label equipment and tools for identification
  • Library Systems: Catalog books and media with barcodes
  • Document Management: Organize files and records efficiently

Understanding Barcode Technology

How Barcodes Work and Why They Matter

Barcodes encode data using parallel lines, dots, or patterns that scanners interpret as alphanumeric information. Invented in 1952 and commercialized in the 1970s, barcodes revolutionized retail, logistics, and inventory management by enabling instant, error-free data capture. Modern barcode scanners use laser or camera technology to read these patterns, translating visual data into digital information at scanning speeds exceeding 100 items per minute.

Different barcode types serve specific purposes: UPC codes identify retail products globally, Code 128 supports alphanumeric data for shipping labels, and QR codes store URLs and complex information. Choosing the right barcode format depends on your data length, scanning environment (laser vs smartphone), and industry requirements. Our generator supports all major formats with automatic error correction and compliance validation.

Barcode Type Data Capacity Best For Scanning Method
UPC-A/EAN-13 12-13 digits (numeric only) Retail products, point-of-sale systems Laser scanners, mobile apps
Code 128 Variable length, alphanumeric Shipping labels, inventory tracking Omnidirectional scanners
Code 39 Variable, uppercase + numbers Industrial applications, ID cards Handheld scanners
QR Code Up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters URLs, payments, marketing campaigns Smartphone cameras
Data Matrix Up to 2,335 alphanumeric characters Electronics marking, small parts High-resolution scanners
ITF-14 14 digits (numeric) Wholesale cartons, distribution Long-range scanners
Barcode Design Best Practices
  • High Contrast Required: Use dark bars (black) on light backgrounds (white) for 95%+ scan success rates
  • Adequate Sizing: Minimum 1 inch width for retail, 0.5 inches for close-range scanning
  • Quiet Zones Matter: Leave blank margins (2.5mm minimum) on all sides to prevent scan errors
  • Format Selection: Vector (SVG) for print scalability, PNG at 300+ DPI for labels
  • Test Before Printing: Verify scannability with multiple scanner types and angles
Common Barcode Errors
  • Low Resolution: Images below 200 DPI produce blurry bars that scanners can't read
  • Color Choices: Red barcodes on blue backgrounds fail laser scanning (use black/white)
  • Aspect Ratio Distortion: Stretched barcodes break width-to-height encoding ratios
  • Wrinkled Surfaces: Applying barcodes to curved or textured materials reduces scannability
  • Missing Quiet Zones: Cropping too close causes 40%+ scan failure rates
Industry-Specific Applications

Retail: UPC/EAN codes connect to GS1 database for global product identification—register with GS1 for legitimate retail distribution. Healthcare: GS1 DataBar tracks medications with expiration dates and batch numbers. Logistics: Code 128 encodes tracking numbers, destination codes, and routing information on shipping labels. Manufacturing: Data Matrix marks small components with serial numbers, part IDs, and quality control data.

Access Control: Code 39 generates employee ID cards, visitor badges, and secure facility passes compatible with low-cost scanners.

Barcode Generator FAQ

Yes! Our barcode generator is 100% free to use with no hidden fees or signup required. Create unlimited barcodes and download them in PNG or SVG format at no cost.

Our free online barcode generator supports Code 128, Code 39, EAN-13, EAN-8, and UPC-A. For scanning barcodes, try our Barcode Scanner.

Yes. Use PNG for digital use and SVG for high-quality printing at any size without quality loss.

Yes—barcodes created with our free barcode generator are compatible with all standard barcode scanners. For retail POS systems, use EAN-13, EAN-8, or UPC-A formats and print with adequate contrast.

Enter your data (product code, text, or numbers), select the barcode format (Code 128, EAN-13, etc.), choose your preferred size, and click "Generate Barcode". Download instantly as PNG or SVG.

For labels, use PNG at 300–600 dpi or SVG (vector). Keep bars dark on a light background for reliable barcode scanner compatibility.

Yes. Our barcode generator creates barcodes locally in your browser. Files are temporarily stored for 24 hours and can be deleted by users. Login to delete files . Explore related tools like the Barcode Scanner and QR Code Reader.

To sell products in major retail stores, you must obtain legitimate UPC codes from GS1 (gs1.org), the global barcode authority. GS1 membership costs vary by country ($250-750 annually in the US). After registration, you receive a unique manufacturer prefix and can generate official UPC codes for your products. Retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and Target require GS1-verified UPC codes—randomly generated codes from online tools won't be accepted for commercial retail distribution.
Create Free Barcode Now

100% Free Barcode Generator • No Signup Required • Works With Any Barcode Scanner

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