A self-generated barcode is not registered with any retail database — see the FAQ for what that means for real products.
How to Generate a Barcode
Type your number or text
Enter the value you want encoded — a product number, asset ID, or any text.
Choose the right format
CODE128 works for almost anything; EAN-13 and UPC-A are for retail products with a fixed digit count.
Adjust bar width and height
Thicker bars scan more reliably at a distance; taller bars help with damaged or angled scans.
Download PNG or SVG
SVG scales cleanly for print; PNG is ready to drop into a document or webpage.
Which Barcode Format Should You Use?
| Format | Digits/Characters | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| CODE128 | Any text/numbers, variable length | Shipping labels, inventory, general internal use |
| EAN-13 | 12–13 digits | Retail products (standard outside North America) |
| EAN-8 | 7–8 digits | Small retail packaging with limited space |
| UPC-A | 11–12 digits | Retail products (standard in US/Canada) |
| CODE39 | Uppercase letters, digits, some symbols | Legacy inventory and asset tracking systems |
| ITF-14 | 13–14 digits | Shipping cartons and pallets |
Common Barcode Generation Mistakes
Mistake 1 — Using EAN-13 or UPC for internal tracking
✗ Wrong: Forcing an internal asset ID into a 12-digit EAN format.
✓ Right: Use CODE128 or CODE39 for internal use — they accept any text without a fixed digit requirement.
Mistake 2 — Assuming a generated code works at any store checkout
✗ Wrong: Printing a self-assigned EAN-13 number and expecting a retailer's system to recognize your product.
✓ Right: Register your product number with GS1 first — an unregistered number may clash with another product's real barcode.
Mistake 3 — Printing barcodes too small to scan reliably
✗ Wrong: Shrinking the barcode to fit a tiny label, making the bars too thin to read.
✓ Right: Keep bar width at least 2px equivalent and test-scan a printed copy before mass printing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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