Free Barcode Generator
This free barcode generator creates Code 128 barcodes from letters, numbers and symbols, and EAN-13 barcodes from a 12 or 13 digit product number, as SVG files that stay sharp at any print size. Choose the bar width and height, check the preview and download the file. It runs in plain PHP on our server and stores nothing.
Barcode Generator
Generators and Converters
About this tool
Barcodes label stock, parcels, tickets, invoices and library items. Code 128 holds any text you can type on a keyboard and is the usual choice for internal labels, order numbers and shipping. EAN-13 is the thirteen digit retail code printed on products. Both are drawn here as vector SVG, so you can scale the file to any label size without the bars turning blurry.
For Code 128, type the text and the generator chooses the compact subset automatically: runs of digits are packed in pairs, which makes number-only codes much shorter. For EAN-13, type 12 digits and the check digit is added, or type all 13 and the check digit is verified. Remember that EAN numbers sold in shops must be issued by GS1 for your company; a made-up number is fine for testing or internal use but not for retail listings.
Print the barcode at a sensible size on a plain white background, with a blank space of about ten bars on each side called the quiet zone, which is built in here. Dark bars on a light background scan best. Always scan a printed sample with the scanner you will use before printing a whole batch. This tool makes one-dimensional barcodes; for square QR codes, use the QR code generator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Code 128 and EAN-13?
Code 128 encodes any letters, numbers and symbols, in a length you choose, and suits internal labels, orders and shipping. EAN-13 encodes exactly 13 digits and is the standard retail product code. Use EAN-13 only when you have an official product number, and Code 128 for everything else.
Can I use these barcodes on products I sell in shops?
The pattern is valid, but retail EAN numbers must be issued by GS1 or a reseller, because the first digits identify your company. Using a made-up number can clash with another product. For testing, internal stock labels and training, any valid number is fine.
How do I print it so it scans reliably?
Print dark bars on plain white, keep the quiet zone empty, avoid stretching the width or height, and do not shrink below about 80 percent of normal size for EAN-13. Use a laser or good inkjet printer and always test one printed copy with your own scanner before printing the batch.
What is the check digit in EAN-13?
It is the thirteenth digit, calculated from the first twelve, and it lets scanners catch misreads. If you type 12 digits, the tool adds the correct check digit for you. If you type 13 and the last digit is wrong, the tool tells you the right one.
Do you store the codes I create?
No. The barcode is drawn from what you type and shown on the page. Nothing is saved on our server. The SVG file lives only in your browser page, so download it or copy the code before you leave.