Barcode Generator — Free Online Tool

▮▯▮ Barcode Generator

Barcodes are still the backbone of retail, inventory and logistics systems worldwide, encoding a number or short text into a pattern of parallel lines that a barcode scanner can read in a fraction of a second. This generator creates a barcode from any text or number you enter, supporting common formats like CODE128 (general-purpose, alphanumeric) and EAN-13 (retail product codes).

It's useful for labelling inventory, testing a barcode scanner integration, or generating sample barcodes for a mockup or prototype.

How to use the Barcode Generator

Enter the text or number you want encoded.
Choose a barcode format — CODE128 for general alphanumeric data, or EAN-13 for a 12–13 digit retail product code.
The barcode preview updates automatically — download it as an image when you're ready.

How barcode formats differ

CODE128 is a flexible, high-density format that can encode the full ASCII character set — letters, numbers and symbols — making it a common general-purpose choice for shipping labels and internal inventory codes. EAN-13 is a fixed 13-digit numeric format used globally for retail product identification, where the final digit is a checksum calculated from the other 12 digits to help scanners detect misreads.

Frequently asked questions

Which barcode format should I use?

Use CODE128 if you need to encode letters, mixed text or a custom internal code. Use EAN-13 specifically if you need a standard retail product barcode with a valid 12 or 13-digit numeric code, such as one already assigned by GS1.

Will this barcode scan correctly with a real scanner?

Yes, the barcodes are generated to the correct format specification and will scan with standard barcode scanners and scanning apps, provided the barcode is printed at a reasonable size with good contrast and isn't distorted or stretched.

Does EAN-13 validate my input?

Yes — EAN-13 requires a valid numeric input of the correct length, and the tool will flag an error if the digits entered don't form a valid EAN-13 code.