Free Online Barcode Generator

Need an EAN for product packaging, a CODE128 label for the warehouse, or an ITF-14 for shipping cartons? Pick the standard, type the value and the barcode renders instantly — validated as you type, downloadable as a print-ready PNG. The generator runs entirely in your browser, so product numbers and internal SKUs never leave your computer, and there is no registration or watermark.

Which barcode type do you need?

Each standard exists for a specific job. If you’re unsure, CODE128 is the right default for anything that isn’t retail checkout.

Code Type	Area of Use	What can it encode?	When to choose it?
CODE128	Logistics, Warehouses, E-shops	Numbers, letters (A–Z, a–z), and ASCII symbols.	Best choice for internal labels, package tracking and inventory. Highest data density — the code stays short.
EAN-13	Retail (Europe & most of the world)	Numbers only (13 digits).	Required for goods sold at store checkouts in Europe and most other markets.
UPC (UPC-A)	Retail (USA & Canada)	Numbers only (12 digits).	The North American counterpart of EAN-13. Needed when exporting products to the US.
EAN-8	Small products	Numbers only (8 digits).	For tiny packaging (lipstick, chewing gum) where an EAN-13 physically doesn’t fit.
CODE39	Industry, Automotive, Defense	Numbers, uppercase A–Z and - . $ / + %.	An older, very robust standard. Wider than CODE128 but tolerant of poor print quality.
ITF-14	Shipping cartons	Numbers only (14 digits).	For outer packaging. The thick surrounding frame (bearer bars) protects readability when printed directly on corrugated cardboard.

Why the generator rejects some inputs

If an error appears instead of a preview, the value doesn’t satisfy the rules of the chosen standard — that’s validation working, not a bug:

• EAN-13, EAN-8 and UPC end with a check digit. The last digit is computed from all the others, so a random 13-digit number is almost always invalid. Try the valid example 4006381333931 (EAN-13) or 96385074 (EAN-8) to see the difference. If you have an officially assigned number, it already includes a correct check digit.
• Digit counts are strict. EAN-13 needs exactly 13 digits, UPC 12, ITF-14 exactly 14.
• Character sets are limited. CODE39 accepts only uppercase letters, digits and a few symbols — lowercase letters or accented characters (é, ř, ü) will be refused. CODE128 is the one to pick for mixed text like SHELF-A-12.

Getting a code that actually scans

The preview can look perfect and still fail at the register if the physical print is wrong. The rules that matter:

• Bar width sets the width of the thinnest bar — the critical dimension for scanners. For label printers, keep it at 2 or higher; hairline bars smudge into their neighbors.
• Height matters for handheld scanning. A taller code is easier to hit with a laser at an angle. Stay above 50 px; go higher for codes scanned at arm’s length.
• Respect the quiet zone. Leave empty background on both sides of the bars. Text, borders or graphics placed tight against the code prevent the scanner from finding its edges.
• Never stretch the image. Resizing the downloaded PNG disproportionately changes the ratio between bars and gaps, which is exactly what encodes the data. If you need a different size, come back and generate it at the right dimensions.
• Beware glossy surfaces. Reflections from laminated packaging or cans can blind the scanner. A matte label, or simply a larger code, solves it.
• Avoid red bars. Most laser scanners read with red light, which makes red bars effectively invisible to them. Black, dark blue or dark green on a light background are the safe choices.

Colors and gradients — for design, not for checkout

Beyond classic black-on-white you can set custom foreground and background colors, a two-color linear gradient, or a rainbow fill. These options are meant for posters, event badges, coupons and other designed materials. For retail checkout and warehouse operations, stay with high-contrast solid colors — and whatever you choose, test the printed result with a real scanner before a production run.

The display text toggle prints the human-readable value under the bars. Keep it on for anything operational: when a code gets damaged, the cashier or warehouse worker can type the number in manually.

One thing this tool can’t do: assign official numbers

The generator draws any number you give it, but retail chains only accept GTIN numbers assigned by GS1, the global numbering organization. You register with the GS1 office in your country, receive your company prefix and number range, and then come back here to turn those numbers into printable graphics — that part is free forever.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can a barcode be colored or use a gradient?

Technically yes, and this generator supports it — but scanners care about contrast, not beauty. Dark bars on a light background are essential, and red-toned bars fail with most laser scanners regardless of contrast. Use color freely on marketing materials, conservatively on anything a point-of-sale system must read.

Why does my 13-digit number show an error as EAN-13?

The last digit of an EAN-13 is a checksum computed from the first twelve. If it doesn't match, the number is invalid and the generator refuses it — the same way a store scanner would. Verify the number you were assigned, or test the tool with the valid example 4006381333931.

How do I get an official EAN number for my product?

Numbers used in retail (GTINs) are assigned exclusively by the GS1 organization — you cannot invent them. Register with your national GS1 office to receive a company prefix and numbering range. This tool then converts your assigned numbers into the printable barcode graphics at no cost.

Which format is best for internal inventory?

CODE128. It encodes letters as well as digits (so codes like "SHELF-A-12" work), has the highest data density of the common standards, and every modern scanner reads it. Since internal labels never meet a retail checkout, you don't need GS1 numbers — invent any scheme that fits your system.

Why does ITF-14 come with a thick frame?

The frame — bearer bars — is part of the standard. ITF-14 is designed to be printed directly onto corrugated cardboard, where the press can squash bars at the edges; the frame equalizes the pressure and stops partial scans of a damaged code from being read as valid.

Can I encode letters into an EAN code?

No — EAN and UPC are strictly numeric by definition, and every cash register on earth expects them that way. If your data contains letters, you need CODE128 (or CODE39 for legacy industrial systems), which are different standards meant for logistics rather than retail checkout.