Barcode Generator
Generate barcode images from text — CODE 128, EAN-13, UPC-A and more
Your data never leaves your browser.Barcode format
About Barcode Generator
Barcodes are machine-readable representations of data using varying widths and spacings of parallel lines. They were invented in 1952 by Norman Woodland and Bernard Silver, inspired by Morse code extended into two dimensions. The first commercial barcode scan happened in 1974 on a pack of Wrigley's chewing gum. Today, 1-D linear barcodes are used across retail (EAN-13, UPC-A), logistics (CODE 128, ITF-14), healthcare (pharmacode), and publishing (ISSN). Each format has specific rules about character sets and digit length. CODE 128 is the most versatile — it encodes the full 128 ASCII character set and is widely used in shipping labels and inventory management. EAN-13 and UPC-A are used on consumer product packaging worldwide. All processing runs entirely in your browser with no server round-trip.
How It Works
The tool encodes text into a 1-D barcode using a pure-JavaScript Canvas implementation for CODE 128, CODE 39, EAN-13/8, UPC-A, ITF-14, MSI, and Pharmacode. Each format follows the official bar-pattern specification and adds a checksum digit where required. All processing happens in your browser — no data is sent to a server.
Common Use Cases
- Generating a barcode for a product label or price tag
- Creating shipping or inventory barcodes for internal logistics
- Producing CODE 128 barcodes for library book spines
- Generating EAN-13 or UPC-A codes for retail packaging prototypes
- Building test barcodes to verify scanner hardware and software
- Exporting barcode images for print-ready packaging artwork
FAQ
- Which barcode formats are supported?
- CODE 128, CODE 39, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, ITF-14, MSI, and Pharmacode. CODE 128 is the default and handles the full ASCII character set.
- Can I print the generated barcode?
- Yes. Download the barcode as SVG for the best print quality — SVG is vector-based and scales to any size without losing sharpness. PNG is fixed-resolution and works for digital use or when a raster format is required. For retail labels, set the bar width to at least 2px and the height to at least 60px to ensure reliable scanner reads.
- Is my data sent to a server?
- No. Generation runs entirely in your browser using a JavaScript Canvas implementation. No data ever leaves your browser tab.
- Why does EAN-13 require exactly 12 digits?
- EAN-13 encodes 12 user digits plus a 13th check digit that is calculated automatically. The standard mandates a fixed-length numeric-only payload, which is why alphanumeric characters are not accepted.