Barcode Generator

About Barcode Generator

A barcode is a machine-readable representation of data in visual form. This tool allows you to create various types of barcodes for products, inventory management, shipping, and more with extensive customization options.

What is a barcode?

A barcode is a visual representation of data that can be scanned by barcode readers and smartphones. It consists of parallel lines (bars) of varying widths and spaces that encode information like product codes, inventory numbers, or tracking IDs. Barcodes are widely used in retail, warehousing, healthcare, and logistics.

Which barcode type should I use?

Choose based on your application:
• CODE128 - Universal use, supports alphanumeric data
• EAN-13 - Retail products worldwide (13 digits)
• EAN-8 - Small retail items (8 digits)
• UPC - North American retail products (12 digits)
• CODE39 - Industrial applications, alphanumeric
• ITF-14 - Shipping containers and cartons
• MSI - Inventory and warehouse management
• Pharmacode - Pharmaceutical packaging

What is the difference between EAN-13 and UPC?

Both are retail product barcodes:
• EAN-13 (European Article Number) - Used internationally, 13 digits
• UPC (Universal Product Code) - Used primarily in North America, 12 digits

UPC can be converted to EAN-13 by adding a leading zero. Many modern scanners can read both formats.

Can I customize barcode colors?

Yes, but use caution. For best scanning results:
• Use dark bars on light backgrounds
• Black on white provides the highest success rate
• Avoid low-contrast color combinations
• Red bars on white backgrounds often don't scan well
• Test your colored barcodes with multiple scanners before production use

What size should my barcode be?

Barcode size depends on:
• Scanning distance - Larger barcodes for longer distances
• Available space - Product packaging constraints
• Barcode type - Each type has minimum size requirements

General guidelines:
• Small products: 25-30mm wide minimum
• Standard products: 30-40mm wide
• Shipping labels: 50mm+ wide
• Always maintain the aspect ratio (height-to-width proportion)

What are quiet zones?

Quiet zones are the blank white margins on either side of a barcode. They're essential for accurate scanning by providing clear start/stop boundaries. Most barcode types require quiet zones of at least 10 times the width of the narrowest bar. This tool automatically adds appropriate margins.

What format should I download?

• PNG - Best for digital use (websites, emails, documents) and small-scale printing
• SVG - Vector format, ideal for professional printing and scaling without quality loss

For commercial printing or packaging, always use SVG or high-resolution PNG (300 DPI minimum) to ensure barcodes remain sharp and scannable.

How do I get a UPC or EAN number for my product?

UPC and EAN codes must be purchased from GS1, the global standards organization:
1. Visit your country's GS1 organization website
2. Register your company and purchase a company prefix
3. Assign unique product numbers using your prefix
4. Create barcodes using your assigned numbers

Note: Each product requires a unique barcode number. Don't use random numbers as they may conflict with existing products.

Are the generated barcodes free to use?

Yes! The barcode images generated by this tool are free to use. However, for retail barcodes (UPC, EAN), you must use officially assigned numbers from GS1. Using random or unassigned numbers can cause issues when products are scanned in stores or distribution centers.