• EAN-13: Product barcodes (needs 12 or 13 digits).
• CODE128: Most versatile, supports letters and numbers.
• QR Code: Best for website URLs and long text.
Hi there. This is my barcode generator. I made it because I run a small online store and needed to create barcodes for my products. Paying for software felt unnecessary for such a simple task. So I built this web tool.
It's a free online barcode generator. You type in some numbers or text, choose a barcode format, and it creates a barcode image you can download and print. It also makes QR codes. There's no cost, no sign-up.
What This Barcode Generator Actually Does
It creates a scannable barcode image from the data you provide. Barcodes are just a visual representation of numbers or letters that scanners can read.
The tool supports many standard formats. The most common is EAN-13, which is the 13-digit barcode on almost every product you buy. There's also UPC for North American products, CODE128 for logistics, and CODE39 for industrial use. And QR codes, which are square 2D codes for websites and links.
You get a live preview as you type. When you're happy, you can download a high-resolution PNG image ready for printing on labels or packaging.
How to Generate a Barcode
It's a three-step process on one page.
First, in the "Barcode Data" box, type the numbers or text you want to encode. For a product barcode, this would be something like "7501052180011" (a real EAN-13 example). For a QR code, it could be a website URL like "https://example.com".
Second, choose your "Format" from the dropdown. If you're making a product label, you probably want "EAN-13" or "UPC-A". If you're not sure, "CODE128" is a safe, flexible choice that works with almost any text. For a web link, choose "QR Code".
Third, adjust the settings. "Scale/Resolution" lets you choose between standard web quality and high-definition for printing. "Label Text" lets you show or hide the human-readable numbers below the barcode lines.
The barcode appears instantly in the preview box on the right. When it looks right, click "DOWNLOAD HIGH-QUALITY PNG". The image will save to your computer.
A Practical Example
Last month, I was creating labels for homemade jams to sell at a market. I needed EAN-13 barcodes for each flavor. I looked up how to get a legitimate EAN number (you can buy them in bulk from agencies), then for each one, I typed the 13-digit number into this tool, selected "EAN-13", and downloaded the PNG. I pasted the images into my label design software. It saved me hours of manual work or paying for a service.
Features of the Generator
I included the formats I actually needed, plus some extras others might find useful.
- Multiple Barcode Types: Over 10 formats, grouped by use (Retail, Industrial, etc.).
- Live Preview: See the barcode change as you type or change settings.
- QR Code Generation: Built-in QR code maker in the same tool.
- High-Resolution Export: Downloads a print-ready PNG with crisp lines, not a blurry screenshot.
- Data Validation: For strict formats like EAN-13, it will warn you if the number is the wrong length or invalid.
- Clean Interface: No distracting ads or popups. Just the controls and the preview.
Who Should Use a Free Barcode Generator?
Small business owners, entrepreneurs, and hobbyists. Anyone who needs a barcode for a product, asset tag, library book, event ticket, or warehouse bin. Students working on projects. Developers testing barcode scanning software.
If you need a one-off barcode for any reason, this tool gets it done in under a minute without any software installation.
Understanding the Different Barcode Formats
The dropdown can be intimidating. Here's a simple guide.
- EAN-13 / UPC-A: For retail products. Must be a specific length of numbers (13 for EAN, 12 for UPC). This is what scanners at grocery stores read.
- CODE128: The "swiss army knife". Can encode any text (letters, numbers, symbols). Used in shipping and inventory. If you don't know which to pick, use this.
- CODE39: Older standard, but still used in some industries and for asset tracking. Simpler than CODE128.
- ITF-14: Used on corrugated cardboard shipping boxes (the outer case).
- QR Code: Not a barcode of lines, but a square grid. Holds a lot of data, like URLs, contact info, or Wi-Fi passwords. Scanned by phone cameras.
Important Notes on Legitimacy and Use
This tool creates the barcode IMAGE only. It does not provide you with a valid, registered GTIN (Global Trade Item Number). For selling products in major stores or online marketplaces like Amazon, you must purchase legitimate, unique EAN/UPC numbers from an official agency like GS1. Using a random number you make up will cause problems with scanning and is against the rules.
For internal use—like labeling your own warehouse shelves, tools, or library—you can use any numbers you want. That's where this tool shines.
The downloaded image is a standard PNG with a transparent background. You can insert it into any document, label maker software, or design tool.
In Conclusion
So, that's my barcode generator. I built it out of necessity, and it's served me well for years. It's a straightforward utility that solves a specific problem for free.
If you need a scannable barcode for any project, give it a shot. Type, choose, and download. It's that simple.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the generated barcodes to sell products on Amazon or in stores?
You can use the tool to create the image, but you must supply a legally purchased, unique GTIN (like an EAN-13 number) for the barcode data. Amazon and major retailers require you to have a valid GS1 company prefix and unique numbers. This tool does not sell or provide those numbers; it just turns a number you provide into a barcode picture.
Why is my EAN-13 code showing an error?
EAN-13 requires exactly 13 digits (or 12 digits—the tool will add the check digit). The digits must be valid according to the EAN algorithm. If you type random numbers, it might fail the checksum validation. Make sure you are using a proper EAN number. For testing, you can use the example already in the box: "7501052180011".
What's the difference between the "Standard" and "HD" scale?
"Standard" creates an image optimized for viewing on a screen. "HD" creates a higher-resolution image with thicker, cleaner lines that will print sharply on paper or labels. Always use "HD" if you plan to print the barcode.
Can I generate a barcode with letters, not just numbers?
Yes, but you must choose a format that supports letters. "CODE128" and "CODE39" support both letters and numbers. "EAN-13", "UPC", and "ITF" are numeric-only formats.
Does the tool work on mobile phones?
Yes, it works on any device with a modern web browser. You can type, preview, and download the barcode image directly to your phone. It's fully responsive.
Is there a limit to how many barcodes I can create?
No limit. You can generate as many as you need, one after another. The tool runs entirely in your browser, so there's no server-side quota or account required.