A free barcode generator that works in your browser
A barcode is a pattern of bars that a scanner reads as a string of characters. This free barcode generator turns the text or number you type into a clean, printable barcode in five common formats. You get a live preview, then a PNG for documents or an SVG for print work.
If you searched for a barcode generator free of signups, watermarks and download limits, that's what this page is. Open it, make your barcode, and leave. There's no account, no email and no queue.
Why use this free online barcode generator
- No signup. You never create an account or hand over an email address.
- No watermark. The PNG and SVG files contain only your barcode.
- Private by design. The value you type stays in your browser tab.
- Vector output. The SVG download stays sharp at any print size.
- Check digits handled. For EAN-13, UPC-A and EAN-8, enter the digits without the last one and the tool calculates it. If you enter the full number, it verifies it.
- Custom look. Set bar width, height and colors, or hide the text line.
Need a square code for phones instead? Try the QR Code Generator.
Step-by-step: how to make a barcode
1. Choose the right format
Code 128 is the safest default because it handles upper and lowercase letters, digits and punctuation. Pick Code 39 only if a system specifically asks for it. Pick EAN-13, UPC-A or EAN-8 when you need a numeric retail-style code.
2. Enter your value
Type or paste the value. The hint under the box tells you what the selected format accepts. Code 39 converts lowercase letters to uppercase for you. Numeric formats accept digits only.
3. Set the size and colors
The standard 3 px bar width suits most screens and desktop printers. Go wider for labels printed small or scanned from a distance. Keep dark bars on a light background; the tool warns you if the contrast is too low to scan.
4. Generate and download
Click Generate barcode. The preview updates as you change options. Download the PNG for Word, Google Docs or slides. Download the SVG for design software or sharp professional printing. You can also copy the image to your clipboard where your browser allows it.
5. Test before you print
Scan the on-screen barcode with a phone scanner app or your actual scanner. Do this before you print a whole sheet of labels.
Supported barcode formats and limits
| Format | Accepts | Length | Check digit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code 128 | Keyboard characters (ASCII 32 to 126) | 1 to 80 characters | Added automatically |
| Code 39 | A-Z, 0-9, space and - . $ / + % | 1 to 80 characters | None needed |
| EAN-13 | Digits only | 12 digits, or 13 with check digit | Calculated or verified |
| UPC-A | Digits only | 11 digits, or 12 with check digit | Calculated or verified |
| EAN-8 | Digits only | 7 digits, or 8 with check digit | Calculated or verified |
Output files are PNG and SVG. Bar height runs from 40 to 300 px, and bar width from 2 to 6 px. Code 128 uses subsets B and C, chosen automatically: an even-length all-digit value is packed in subset C, and everything else uses subset B.
Barcode use cases
- Small business owners label shelves, bins and handmade products with Code 128 SKUs.
- Warehouse and stockroom staff tag boxes and locations so a scanner can look them up fast.
- Teachers and librarians number books, devices and lab equipment for check-out.
- Event organizers print ticket or badge IDs for quick check-in lines.
- Office managers tag laptops, monitors and other assets for inventory counts.
- Freelancers and sellers add a barcode to a printed invoice. Our Invoice Generator pairs well with this.
- Developers and testers create sample barcodes to test scanner input or label layouts.
Key features and benefits
- Five formats: Code 128, Code 39, EAN-13, UPC-A and EAN-8
- PNG and SVG downloads, plus copy to clipboard
- Adjustable bar width, height and colors
- Optional human-readable text under the bars
- Automatic check digit calculation and validation for retail formats
- Clear error messages instead of silent failures
- Works on phones, tablets and desktops, with keyboard support
- Light and dark page themes that follow your device
Expert tips and common mistakes
- Keep the quiet zone. The blank margin on each side is part of the barcode. This tool adds it, so don't crop it off.
- Don't stretch the image. Resizing a PNG with unequal width and height distorts the bars. Scale it proportionally, or use the SVG.
- Print at 100% scale. Browser "fit to page" settings can shrink bars below what a scanner can read.
- Avoid tiny PNGs. If you must shrink a barcode, use the Resize Image tool and keep the aspect ratio locked.
- Use dark on light. Red bars or pale colors on white often fail under scanner lasers.
- Match the system. If your inventory software expects Code 128, don't switch to Code 39 because it looks simpler.
- Don't guess retail numbers. An EAN-13 or UPC-A made here is a valid pattern, but it isn't a registered product number.
- Mind the length. Long values make wide barcodes. Shorten the value or use a larger sheet.
Privacy and security
This tool is a client-side page. When you click Generate, JavaScript in your browser calculates the bars and draws them on a canvas. The value you type is not sent to a server, and the generated PNG and SVG files are created locally on your device.
The page makes no external requests for fonts, scripts or images. Only the page itself loads. Closing the tab clears what you entered. Avoid putting passwords or secrets into any barcode, though: anyone who scans or photographs the printed code can read the value.
This tool vs. alternatives
| This browser tool | Desktop label software | Server-based online generators | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Install needed | No | Yes | No |
| Account needed | No | Sometimes | Varies |
| Where data is processed | Your browser | Your computer | Their server |
| Best for | Quick single barcodes | Large label runs, databases | Varies by site |
Desktop label software is better when you print thousands of labels from a spreadsheet. This free barcode generator is built for the quick job: one code, right now, no setup.
Troubleshooting
My barcode won't scan
Check contrast first: use black bars on white. Then increase bar width and height, and make sure the quiet zone wasn't cropped.
I get "check digit" errors on EAN or UPC
You entered the full number and the last digit doesn't match. Remove the last digit and let the tool calculate it, or use the digit shown in the message.
Code 39 says a character isn't supported
Code 39 only allows A-Z, 0-9, space and - . $ / + %. Switch to Code 128 if you need other symbols.
The barcode looks blurry when printed
The PNG was probably scaled up. Download the SVG, or choose a larger bar width before generating.
Copy image does nothing
Some browsers block clipboard image access. Use Download PNG instead.
The barcode is too wide for my label
Shorten the value, choose a narrower bar width, or switch from Code 39 to Code 128, which is more compact.
Nothing happens when I click Generate
Make sure JavaScript is enabled, then read the red status message under the buttons. It names the exact problem.
Glossary
- Symbology: the rule set for a barcode type, such as Code 128 or EAN-13.
- Check digit: a final digit calculated from the others, so scanners can catch misreads.
- Quiet zone: the blank margin on each side of the bars.
- Module: the width of the narrowest bar. Other bars are multiples of it.
- EAN / UPC: numeric retail barcode families used on packaged products.
- GS1: the organization that issues official company prefixes for retail codes. See gs1.org.
Barcode generator FAQ
Is this barcode generator really free?
Yes. It's a free barcode generator with no trial, paywall or watermark. You can make as many barcodes as you like and download each one as a PNG or SVG. There's nothing to pay for, and you don't need to create an account first.
Do I need to sign up or install anything?
No. Open the page, enter your value and generate. There's no registration, no email requirement and no software to install. It runs in any modern browser on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, so you can start immediately on whichever device you have.
Is it safe to enter my data?
The barcode is built in your browser, and your value isn't uploaded. Still, don't encode passwords or private details: anyone who scans a printed barcode can read what's inside it. Use barcodes for IDs, SKUs and labels, not for secrets.
Are there limits on how many barcodes I can make?
There's no daily cap or usage counter. The limits are technical: Code 128 and Code 39 values can be up to 80 characters, and bar height ranges from 40 to 300 px. Retail formats need a fixed number of digits, shown in the specs table above.
Does this barcode maker work on mobile?
Yes. The layout adapts to phones and tablets, and buttons are sized for touch. On many phones the PNG saves to your downloads or photos. If copy-to-clipboard isn't supported by your mobile browser, use the download buttons instead. Phones with a decent camera can also scan the preview straight off another screen.
Will the barcode lose quality when I download it?
The PNG is drawn at the exact pixel size shown, so it's crisp at that size but can blur if you enlarge it. The SVG is vector and stays sharp at any size. For printing, choose SVG or pick a larger bar width before you generate.
Does it work offline?
Once the page has finished loading, yes. All the code is inside the page and it makes no further network requests, so you can generate barcodes without a connection. You'll need to be online to open the page the first time.
Which barcode type should I choose?
Choose Code 128 unless you have a reason not to. It's compact and handles letters, numbers and symbols. Choose Code 39 when a system asks for it, and choose EAN-13, UPC-A or EAN-8 when you need a numeric retail-style barcode with a check digit.
Can I use EAN-13 or UPC-A codes to sell products in stores?
This tool creates a correctly formatted barcode, but it doesn't register your number. Retailers and marketplaces normally expect numbers licensed through GS1, which assigns company prefixes. For internal inventory, internal-use numbers and Code 128 labels are usually enough, and they avoid any clash with real products.
Why won't my barcode scan?
The usual causes are low contrast, bars that are too small, a cropped quiet zone, or a stretched image. Use black on white, increase the bar width, keep the margins and print at 100% scale. Then test with your actual scanner.
Make your barcode now
You don't need software or an account to make a barcode. Scroll up, pick a format, enter your value and download the file. For more on how Code 128 works, see Wikipedia's Code 128 entry. Bookmark this free barcode generator, and compress or resize your finished labels with our Compress Image File tool when you need smaller files.