Barcode Generator

What this tool does

Type or paste any text, SKU, or product number and this tool generates a real, scannable barcode — Code 128 for general-purpose alphanumeric codes, or EAN-13 / UPC-A for retail product barcodes. The encoding (including the check digit for EAN-13 and UPC-A) is calculated right in your browser, so you can download a print-ready PNG or SVG without installing barcode software or sending your data anywhere.

Who it's for

Small shop owners labeling inventory, developers testing a POS or scanner integration, anyone building a spreadsheet of product codes who needs matching barcode images, or a student who just needs to understand how a barcode's check digit is calculated.

How to use it

• Pick a barcode type: Code 128 for any letters, numbers, and punctuation; EAN-13 or UPC-A for standard retail product codes.
• Type your value. For EAN-13, enter 12 digits and the check digit is calculated automatically — or enter 13 and it's verified. Same idea for UPC-A with 11 or 12 digits.
• Adjust bar width, height, color, and whether to show the human-readable text underneath.
• Download the result as a PNG (for documents/labels) or SVG (for crisp printing at any size).

Real-world uses

Printing shelf labels for a small retail or craft business. Generating a Code 128 barcode for an internal asset-tracking or library system. Double-checking that a product's EAN-13 or UPC-A check digit is actually correct before sending it to a supplier or marketplace listing. Quickly mocking up barcode images for a design or prototype.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Code 128, EAN-13, and UPC-A?

Code 128 can encode any printable text or numbers and is common in shipping, logistics, and internal inventory systems. EAN-13 (13 digits) and UPC-A (12 digits) are the standardized formats used on retail product packaging worldwide — UPC-A is the US/Canada standard and EAN-13 is used almost everywhere else, including in Europe.

How is the check digit calculated?

Both EAN-13 and UPC-A use a weighted sum of the digits (alternating weight 1 and 3) where the check digit is whatever value makes the total a multiple of 10. If you enter the full number including what you believe is the check digit, the tool verifies it and tells you the correct value if it doesn't match.

Will this barcode actually scan?

Yes — the bar widths are generated from the standard published encoding tables for each symbology, the same ones real scanners expect. For best results when printing, keep the bar width setting large enough that your printer doesn't blur adjacent bars together.

Can I use letters in an EAN-13 or UPC-A barcode?

No, those two formats are numeric-only by design. If you need to encode letters or symbols, use Code 128 instead.

Is there a barcode length limit?

Code 128 supports up to 60 characters here, which comfortably covers SKUs, serial numbers, and short reference codes. EAN-13 and UPC-A are fixed-length by definition.