How to use
- Choose a barcode type. Retail products use EAN-13 (or UPC-A in North America); shipping cartons use ITF-14.
- Type the data and the barcode appears below. For EAN, UPC and ITF-14 you can leave off the last digit — the check digit is calculated and added — or enter the full number to have it verified.
- Adjust scale, bar height and colors, then download a PNG or SVG. Send SVG to printers and packaging designers; it stays sharp at any size.
Choosing a symbology
| Type | Input | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| UPC-A | 11 digits + check digit | US and Canadian retail |
| UPC-E | Number system 0 or 1 + 6 digits + check digit | Compressed UPC-A for small packs |
| EAN-13 | 12 digits + check digit | Retail almost everywhere else |
| EAN-8 | 7 digits + check digit | Packs too small for EAN-13 |
| ITF-14 | 13 digits + check digit | Outer cartons and cases (GTIN-14) |
| Code 128 | Letters, digits, symbols (ASCII) | Internal IDs, shipping labels |
| GS1-128 | (AI)value format |
Logistics labels with expiry or batch data |
| Code 39 | Uppercase, digits, a few symbols | Industrial and asset tracking |
| Data Matrix | Any text | Small parts, pharmaceutical serials |
| PDF417 | Any text | Driver’s licenses, boarding passes |
The numbers in parentheses in GS1-128 are GS1 Application Identifiers: (01) is the GTIN, (17) an expiry date (YYMMDD) and (10) a batch or lot number. Enter something like (01)00036000291452(17)261231(10)ABC.
Check digit example
Enter 03600029145 as UPC-A and the tool calculates check digit 2, drawing 036000291452. Enter 036000291453 instead and you get an error that names the correct digit. For the math behind it and bulk validation, see the GTIN check digit calculator.
Things to watch
- This tool does not issue barcode numbers. UPC and EAN numbers for products you sell must come from a GS1 company prefix licensed by GS1 US, GS1 UK or the GS1 office in your country. Made-up numbers can collide with another company’s products.
- Keep the white margins (quiet zones) on both sides. The images include them; do not crop them off.
- Black bars on a white background are the safest choice for print. Red bars can be invisible to scanners that use red light.
- Non-ASCII text in Data Matrix or PDF417 is stored as UTF-8; check that your scanner decodes UTF-8.
- If people will scan it with a phone to open a link, a QR code is the better fit.
FAQ
Can I get a barcode number for selling through retailers here?
You can draw the image, but the number itself has to be licensed from GS1. Major retailers and marketplaces commonly require GS1-registered numbers.
PNG or SVG?
SVG for print and design files; PNG for dropping into documents or label-printer software. The scale setting controls PNG resolution.
Is my data stored?
No. Barcodes are drawn in your browser and nothing is sent to a server.