Barcode Generator
Type a value to make a barcode. EAN-13 and UPC-A add the check digit for you, and every barcode can be downloaded as an SVG or PNG file.
Questo contenuto è in inglese.
Esempi svolti
Code 128 for a stock label
ABC-123 typed in with Code 128 selected
A Code 128 barcode image that encodes the text ABC-123, ready to download.
Code 128 can hold letters, numbers and common symbols, which suits internal tracking.
EAN-13 for a retail product
501234567890 typed in with EAN-13 selected
An EAN-13 barcode with the check digit 0 added, giving the full number 5012345678900.
The last digit is a check digit worked out from the first twelve, so a mistyped number is caught by scanners.
Informazioni su Barcode Generator
A barcode generator turns a value into a set of bars that scanners can read quickly and accurately. This tool makes three common types. Code 128 holds letters, numbers and symbols and is widely used for labels, tracking and stock. EAN-13 is the thirteen-digit barcode on most retail products, and UPC-A is the twelve-digit version common in North America. Type the value and the barcode appears straight away. The tool checks the digits for each type and shows the check digit, so you can confirm the code is valid.
The check digit is the final digit of an EAN-13 or UPC-A code, worked out from the digits before it. A scanner uses it to catch a misread, so a wrong digit would make the barcode invalid. If you type twelve digits for EAN-13 or eleven for UPC-A, the tool calculates the check digit for you. If you type the full code, the tool confirms that the last digit is correct. Download the barcode as an SVG file for printing at any size, or as a PNG for documents and slides. Always scan a printed barcode before you rely on it.
Come usare Barcode Generator
- Choose the barcode type that matches your use, such as Code 128 for labels or EAN-13 for retail products.
- Type the value. For EAN-13 type twelve or thirteen digits, and for UPC-A type eleven or twelve.
- Read the note under the barcode to see whether a check digit was added or confirmed.
- Download the SVG for print or the PNG for documents, then scan a test print.
Usi comuni
- Labelling stock or products for a small shop or market stall
- Creating tracking codes for internal documents, boxes or equipment
- Making test barcodes for a point-of-sale or inventory system
- Adding a barcode to a catalogue, sample pack or price tag
Domande frequenti
What is the difference between Code 128 and EAN-13?
Code 128 can hold any text made of letters, numbers and common symbols, up to eighty characters, so it suits labels and tracking. EAN-13 holds exactly thirteen digits, and shops use it to identify products. Use EAN-13 when a till or shop system must read the code, and Code 128 for everything else, such as internal labels, boxes and documents.
How is the check digit worked out?
For EAN-13, each of the first twelve digits is multiplied by one or three, alternating along the code. The results are added together, and the check digit is the amount needed to bring that total up to the next multiple of ten. UPC-A works the same way, because a UPC-A code is an EAN-13 code with a leading zero. The tool does this for you and confirms the digit when you type the full number.
Can I use a barcode I made for a product sold in shops?
Retail barcodes must come from the official numbering system, and a number you make up may clash with a product someone else already sells. For products sold in shops, get your numbers from the organisation that issues them. Use this tool for internal tracking, testing a scanner or labelling your own items, where you control which numbers are used.
Why will my barcode not scan?
Scanners need contrast, so print in black on white, leave a clear margin on each side, and avoid stretching the image out of shape. Print that is too small can cause problems, and so can a glossy surface that reflects light. Check the value is correct and the check digit matches, then print a test at a larger size before using the barcode on real items.
What file types can I download?
You can download the barcode as an SVG file, a drawing format that stays sharp at any size and works well in print and design software. You can also download a PNG image at a high resolution, which suits documents, slides and web pages. Both files show the digits written beneath the bars, so the number can be read as well as scanned.