Barcode Generator
Generate EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, Code 128, ITF-14, GS1-128, Code 39, MSI Plessey, Pharmacode and Codabar barcodes.
Barcode type
Commerce
Logistics
Industry
Specialized
The check digit will be calculated automatically if omitted.
Used in global retail
The barcode will appear here
Everything about barcode generation
Why use our barcode generator?
Barcodes are essential in retail, logistics, and inventory management. Our tool generates the most used formats: EAN-13, EAN-8, ISBN-13, and Code 128, directly in your browser.
Real-time preview lets you verify your barcode before downloading it as a high-resolution PNG. No registration or installation needed.
The tool automatically validates check digits for EAN and ISBN, preventing errors that would make your codes unreadable by scanners.
Who uses this generator?
- Retailers and e-commerce sellers
- Create EAN-13 barcodes for your products before listing them on marketplaces or in stores.
- Publishers and authors
- Generate ISBN-13 barcodes for your book covers and publications.
- Logistics managers
- Quickly produce Code 128 labels for parcel tracking and warehouse management.
- Developers
- Test and visually verify barcodes during inventory management application development.
How to generate a barcode
Select the desired format (EAN-13, EAN-8, ISBN-13, or Code 128) from the dropdown menu.
Enter the data: digits for EAN/ISBN, free text for Code 128. The check digit is calculated automatically.
View the real-time preview and download the PNG image by clicking the download button.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the difference between EAN-13, EAN-8, and Code 128?
- EAN-13 is the standard for consumer products (13 digits). EAN-8 is the short version for small packages (8 digits). Code 128 is more versatile: it encodes letters, digits, and special characters, ideal for logistics and internal identification.
- How do I get an official EAN-13 number?
- EAN numbers are assigned by GS1, the international standardization body. Contact your local GS1 office to obtain a company prefix. Each product then receives a unique identifier within your number range.
- Is the generated barcode scannable?
- Yes, generated barcodes follow official specifications for each format and include required quiet zones. They are readable by all scanners compatible with the chosen format.
- Can I use these barcodes commercially?
- The tool generates technically valid barcodes. For commercial use with EAN/ISBN, you must have obtained your numbers from GS1 or the ISBN agency. The tool doesn't provide the numbers themselves.
- Is my data saved?
- No. Generation happens entirely in your browser. No data is sent to a server or stored. Your barcodes and their data remain private.
Understanding barcodes
What is a barcode and how does it work?
A barcode is a visual representation of data using parallel bars of varying widths. An optical scanner reads the alternating black bars and white spaces, converts them to an electrical signal, then to digital data. The EAN-13 standard encodes 13 digits including a country prefix, company identifier, product code, and check digit.
What are the main barcode formats?
The most common 1D barcodes are: EAN-13/EAN-8 (consumer products in Europe), UPC-A/UPC-E (North America), Code 128 (logistics, parcels), Code 39 (industry, defense), and ISBN (books). There are also 2D codes like QR Code and DataMatrix that store much more information in a smaller space.
How does the check digit work in an EAN code?
The check digit is the last digit of the EAN code. It's calculated using an alternating weight algorithm (×1 and ×3) on the preceding digits, followed by a modulo 10 operation. This mechanism allows the scanner to detect reading errors. If the calculation doesn't match, the scanner rejects the scan.