Barcode Generator

Frequently Asked Questions

What barcode type should I use?

For most purposes, CODE128 is recommended as it supports all ASCII characters (letters, numbers, symbols) and is very compact. For retail products sold in stores, use EAN-13 (13 digits) or UPC (12 digits). For simple inventory tracking with alphanumeric codes, CODE39 is a good choice. For shipping containers, ITF-14 is standard. The validation messages will guide you if your data doesn't match the selected format.

Why is my barcode not generating?

Each barcode type has specific data requirements. EAN-13 requires exactly 13 digits, UPC requires 12 digits, and some formats only accept numbers. If you see an error, check that your input matches the format requirements. The input hint below the text field will tell you what's allowed for the selected barcode type.

What's the difference between PNG and SVG downloads?

PNG is a raster image format made of pixels. It's perfect for printing labels, adding to documents, or general use. SVG is a vector format made of paths that scale infinitely without quality loss. Use PNG if you're printing or sharing the image as-is. Use SVG if you're designing labels in software like Illustrator, or if you need the barcode at multiple sizes.

Can I change the barcode colors?

Yes! You can customize both the barcode color (foreground) and background color using the color pickers. While black on white is most common and provides the best scanner compatibility, you can use any colors. For best results, ensure high contrast between the foreground and background colors.

What do the presets do?

The quick presets configure all settings for common use cases instantly. "Product Label" sets up EAN-13 for retail products. "Inventory Tag" uses CODE128 with compact sizing. "Shipping Label" configures CODE39 for logistics. "Retail Tag" sets up UPC for standard retail. Click a preset to apply those settings and generate a sample barcode.

Will these barcodes work with standard scanners?

Absolutely! All barcodes generated are industry-standard and will work with any barcode scanner, laser scanner, imager, or scanner app. The barcodes conform to official specifications for each symbology and are production-ready for professional use.

Are there any limits on usage?

No limits at all! Generate as many barcodes as you need, completely free. No sign-up required, no watermarks, no usage tracking, and no expiration. You can use this tool for personal projects, business use, commercial applications, or any other purpose.

Is my barcode data private?

Yes, completely. All barcode generation happens locally in your browser using JavaScript. Your data is never sent to any server or stored anywhere. The barcodes are created on your device and remain private. You can generate sensitive barcodes like internal product codes, asset tags, or confidential information with complete confidence.

About Barcode Generator

Barcode Generator is a powerful tool that creates industry-standard linear barcodes (1D barcodes) directly in your browser. Unlike QR codes which are two-dimensional, linear barcodes encode data in the varying widths and spacing of parallel lines. These traditional barcodes are used on retail products, inventory tracking, shipping labels, asset tags, library books, and more. Our generator supports 10 barcode formats: CODE128 (alphanumeric, most versatile), CODE39 (alphanumeric, widely used in manufacturing), EAN-13 (13-digit retail standard), UPC (12-digit North American retail), EAN-8 (compact retail), EAN-5 and EAN-2 (supplemental add-ons), ITF-14 (shipping containers), MSI (numeric inventory), and Pharmacode (pharmaceuticals). Each barcode format has specific validation rules to ensure the data can be properly encoded—for example, EAN-13 and UPC require exact digit counts with valid check digits. Real-time validation provides helpful error messages explaining the requirements for each format. Customize bar width (1-4), bar height (50-200px), foreground and background colors, text display, and font size to match your branding and requirements. Larger bar heights are better for scanning, and good contrast between bars and background ensures reliable readability. Download as PNG for printing at 2x resolution for crisp output, or SVG for vector graphics that scale infinitely without quality loss. All barcode generation happens entirely in your browser using the JsBarcode library—your data is never sent to servers. Perfect for product labeling for retail items (EAN-13, UPC), inventory tracking with CODE128 for warehouse labels, shipping labels with ITF-14 for carton identification, asset tags for equipment tracking, library books with CODE39 or CODE128, membership cards and ID badges, numbered tickets with CODE39 or CODE128, receipts and invoices with barcode tracking, event tickets with barcode entry verification, packaging barcodes for manufactured goods, and serial number labels. Use this tool to generate professional, scannable barcodes that work with all standard barcode scanners—no account required, completely free.

Unlike many online tools that require account creation or have hidden costs, Barcode Generator is completely free and requires no signup. Simply open the tool and start using it immediately. Your privacy is our priority - all processing happens locally in your browser, and your data is never stored on our servers.

Whether you're a professional, student, or casual user, Barcode Generator is designed to be intuitive and efficient. Our tool works seamlessly on desktop computers, tablets, and mobile devices, ensuring you can get your tasks done wherever you are.