CODE 128
The most versatile standard. Used for shipping, logistics, and internal inventory. It supports all ASCII characters including letters and symbols.
Web Utility
Free Online Barcode Generator
Generate a free barcode online in seconds. Enter any number or text, choose a format—including CODE128, UPC, EAN-13, and ITF-14—then download a high-resolution PNG ready for labels, products, or inventory sheets. No account or sign-up needed.
Common Barcode Standards Explained
Our tool supports all 8 major 1D barcode formats used in retail and industry globally. Here is a breakdown of when and where to use each:
UPC-A
The classic 12-digit barcode used for retail products in North America. Essential for selling on Amazon or in physical stores.
EAN-13
The international version of UPC. Used globally for commercial product identification at checkout.
ITF-14
A 14-digit code designed for corrugated cardboard. Ideal for bulk shipping boxes and warehouse pallets.
CODE 39
Common in automotive, electronics, and defense industries. It is highly readable even on small industrial parts.
EAN-8
A shortened version of EAN-13 for small packaging (like candy or pencils) where a full EAN-13 won't fit.
MSI
Primarily used in retail inventory and warehouse shelf labeling to track stock levels quickly.
Codabar
A legacy format still used in blood banks, libraries, and older FedEx airbills for sequential tracking.
Who uses our Barcode Maker?
From small business owners to enterprise warehouse managers, this tool serves a wide range of professional needs:
- Retail & E-commerce: Create labels for Amazon FBA, Etsy shops, and brick-and-mortar storefronts.
- Inventory Management: Generate codes for warehouse stock control and spreadsheet tracking in Excel or Google Sheets.
- Event Management: Design custom badges and tickets with scannable entry data.
- Asset Tracking: Securely label IT equipment, laptops, and office supplies with unique internal identifiers.
- Shipping & Logistics: Print high-resolution labels for pallet tracking and internal product routing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pay for a barcode?
Generating the barcode image here is completely free. However, if you are selling a commercial product in major retail stores (like Amazon, Walmart, or Target), you must purchase a certified UPC or EAN company prefix from GS1. You can then use this tool to turn your assigned numbers into scannable graphics.
How do I get a UPC barcode for my product?
To get a legitimate UPC barcode for retail sale, you should register with GS1 (Global Standards 1). They will provide you with a unique Company Prefix and the specific numbers for your products. Once you have your numbers, you can use our generator to create the scannable barcode images for your labels.
How do I make a barcode for Amazon FBA?
Amazon usually requires an EAN or UPC code to list a product. Additionally, for FBA shipments, they often require an FNSKU barcode. You can generate these using the CODE128 format in our tool. Simply enter your FNSKU string, choose CODE128, and download the high-resolution PNG for your product labels.
What is the best barcode format for general use?
CODE128 is the industry standard for general purposes like shipping, inventory, and asset tracking. It is compact and supports both letters and numbers, making it the most versatile 1D barcode format available today.
What size should a barcode be for printing?
For standard retail (UPC/EAN), the nominal size is roughly 1.469 inches wide by 1.02 inches high. You can scale this down to 80% if space is tight, but going smaller than that may cause checkout scanners to fail.
What is the difference between UPC-A and UPC-E?
UPC-A is the standard 12-digit barcode used on most products. UPC-E is a 'zero-suppressed' version that condenses the same information into a smaller 6-digit format, specifically designed for small items like chewing gum or cosmetic pencils.
Can I use these barcodes for my Excel or Google Sheets inventory?
Yes. Many small businesses use our generator to create barcodes for their internal inventory systems. You can print the barcodes, stick them on your shelves or items, and use a standard USB or Bluetooth scanner to input the data directly into your spreadsheet.
What resolution should I download the barcode image at?
Our tool generates high-resolution PNGs at 300 DPI, which is the gold standard for professional printing. This ensures that the edges of the bars are sharp and crisp, preventing 'bleeding' during the printing process which can make the code unreadable.
Can I customize the barcode colors?
Yes, but we strongly recommend sticking to dark bars (black or dark blue) on a light background (white or yellow). Barcode scanners work by measuring the reflection of light off the spaces; if the contrast is too low, the scanner won't be able to distinguish the bars.
Why isn't my barcode generating?
Most failures happen because of invalid input data for a specific format. For example, UPC barcodes require exactly 11 or 12 digits, and EAN-13 requires 12 or 13 digits. If you enter letters or the wrong number of characters, the generator will not render the image.