Barcode generator

Which barcodes the generator makes

The generator draws six kinds of barcode. Pick the one required where the code will be scanned — a shop checkout, a warehouse, a shipping carton.

• EAN-13 — 13 digits, the code on retail products in Europe and most of the world.
• EAN-8 — 8 digits, a shorter version for small packs where EAN-13 does not fit.
• UPC-A — 12 digits, the EAN-13 counterpart used in the US and Canada.
• ITF-14 — 14 digits (GTIN-14) on cartons and outer cases. The thick frame around the bars helps scanners when the code is printed on corrugated board.
• Code 128 — letters, digits and keyboard symbols (ASCII). The most common code in logistics, on shipping labels and for internal use.
• Code 39 — capital letters, digits, space and - . $ / + %. An older standard in industry and on ID badges; the generator turns lower case into capitals.

Where to get an EAN number

The generator draws a code from the number you type — it does not issue numbers. GTINs (formerly EAN numbers) for products sold in shops are issued by your national GS1 organisation. A made-up number, or one copied from another product, may already exist in retailers’ databases, and the retailer or marketplace will reject it.

For internal use — warehouse, rentals, stocktaking, order numbers — you do not need a GS1 number. Code 128 with your own numbering is enough.

The check digit

The last digit of EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A and ITF-14 is a check digit. The scanner recomputes it on every scan and rejects a code where it does not match — that is how misreads are caught.

• Type the number without the last digit and the generator computes and appends it (e.g. 12 digits for EAN-13).
• Type the full number and the generator verifies the check digit and tells you what it should be if it does not match.
• It is computed like this: multiply the digits from the right alternately by 3 and 1, add them up, and the check digit tops the sum up to the next multiple of ten.

How to print a barcode that scans

• Size. A nominal EAN-13 is 37.29 × 25.93 mm (0.33 mm module). GS1 allows scaling from 80% to 200% — smaller codes scan less reliably.
• Do not shorten the bars. A code cut down in height fits the label, but the scanner has to hit it more precisely.
• Keep the margins. The light area on both sides of the bars is part of the code — without it the scanner cannot find where it starts and ends.
• Dark bars on a light background. Black on white is best. Red, orange or yellow bars are invisible to scanners that use red light.
• Format. PNG is fine on screen and for a quick print. For a print shop a vector SVG or PDF is better — it scales without blurring the bar edges. Files from the generator come at nominal size (0.33 mm module, EAN-13 about 38 × 28 mm including margins and digits).
• Test before the print run. Scan a test print with a scanner or a phone app.

Many barcodes at once

On the Pro plan and above you paste up to 100 numbers, one per line, and download a single PDF with one code per page or a ZIP of SVG files. Every line is checked before generating, and invalid ones are listed. Compare plans.

Frequently asked questions