Which should I use: Code 128, EAN-13 or Code 39?

Use EAN-13 for retail products sold in stores (you need a company prefix from GS1 for official use). For internal uses like shipping labels, warehouse bins and asset tags, Code 128 is best: it supports letters and digits and is compact. Code 39 only supports uppercase letters, digits and a few symbols and is mainly for legacy scanners.

How is the EAN-13 check digit calculated?

Take the first 12 digits, multiply digits in odd positions by 1 and even positions by 3, add them up, and subtract the last digit of the sum from 10 (a result of 10 becomes 0). Enter 12 digits and the tool appends it; enter 13 and it tells you if the check digit is wrong.

My barcode won't scan — what should I check?

Make sure the contrast is strong (dark bars on a light background, not inverted), the quiet zones on both sides are wide enough (at least 10× the bar width), and printed bars aren't too thin — use 2 px or more and the SVG format to avoid blur. EAN-13 data must be a valid 13-digit number.

Can I use the barcodes commercially? Is my data uploaded?

Yes, the generated images are free for commercial use. Barcodes are generated locally in your browser and your data is never uploaded. The tool is free and needs no account.

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📊Barcode Generator - Create Code 128, EAN-13 & Code 39 Barcodes Online

Type your data and get a scannable 1D barcode. Code 128 suits shipping numbers, asset tags and inventory labels with mixed letters and digits; the generator switches between code sets B and C automatically, packing digit runs two per symbol for a shorter barcode. EAN-13 is the 13-digit retail product barcode: enter 12 digits and the check digit is calculated for you, or enter 13 to validate it. Code 39 is common in industry and ID badges. Customize bar width, height, quiet zone, font size and colors, then download a vector SVG (ideal for print) or a PNG. Batch mode takes one code per line and packs hundreds of barcodes into a ZIP. Everything is generated in your browser.

Free · No sign-up · Runs in your browserLast updated: 2026-10-26

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How to use Barcode Generator

1Choose a symbology (Code 128, EAN-13 or Code 39)
2Enter the content — one per line in batch mode
3Adjust bar width, height, quiet zone and colors, then download SVG or PNG (ZIP for batches)

FAQ

Which should I use: Code 128, EAN-13 or Code 39?: Use EAN-13 for retail products sold in stores (you need a company prefix from GS1 for official use). For internal uses like shipping labels, warehouse bins and asset tags, Code 128 is best: it supports letters and digits and is compact. Code 39 only supports uppercase letters, digits and a few symbols and is mainly for legacy scanners.
How is the EAN-13 check digit calculated?: Take the first 12 digits, multiply digits in odd positions by 1 and even positions by 3, add them up, and subtract the last digit of the sum from 10 (a result of 10 becomes 0). Enter 12 digits and the tool appends it; enter 13 and it tells you if the check digit is wrong.
My barcode won't scan — what should I check?: Make sure the contrast is strong (dark bars on a light background, not inverted), the quiet zones on both sides are wide enough (at least 10× the bar width), and printed bars aren't too thin — use 2 px or more and the SVG format to avoid blur. EAN-13 data must be a valid 13-digit number.
Can I use the barcodes commercially? Is my data uploaded?: Yes, the generated images are free for commercial use. Barcodes are generated locally in your browser and your data is never uploaded. The tool is free and needs no account.