Barcode generator for retail, logistics & inventory.
Generate barcodes in Code 128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, Code 39, and ITF-14 formats. Customise colours, download PNG or SVG — free with no account required.
Supports letters, digits, and common symbols.
Bar color
Background
Show value below barcode
Display the encoded text under the bars
Live preview
Updates as you type
Loading barcode engine…
Code 128 · Universal — text, numbers, alphanumeric
What this tool does
One free barcode generator. Eight formats.
Whether you need a retail product barcode, a shipping label, an inventory sticker, or a pharmaceutical pack barcode — this tool supports the right format with instant live preview and high-quality output.
Linear barcode generation
Enter your value, select a format, and a scannable barcode appears instantly. No server round-trip, no waiting — all barcode rendering happens in your browser.
Custom colours + size
Choose from 6 colour presets or pick exact foreground and background colours. Adjust bar width and height to suit print-ready or on-screen use.
PNG and SVG download
Download barcodes as high-resolution PNG (3× pixel density) for print-on-demand, product packaging, and retail POS. Or SVG for infinitely scalable vector output.
8 formats
Barcode formats supported
Code 128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, Code 39, ITF-14, MSI, Pharmacode
3× PNG
High-res download
Print-ready — packaging, labels, and POS displays
SVG ready
Scalable vector output
Infinitely scalable for any print size or resolution
100% free
No account required
Generate and download barcodes right away
How to use
Generate a barcode in under a minute
Four steps from input to download. Works on desktop and mobile. No plugins, no account, no file upload.
Enter your value
Type or paste the text, number, or product code you want encoded. The live preview updates instantly.
Choose a format
Select Code 128 for general use, EAN-13 for retail products, UPC-A for US market, ITF-14 for shipping cartons, or Code 39 for industrial labels.
Customise appearance
Pick a colour preset or set custom bar and background colours. Adjust bar width and barcode height to match your label spec.
Download PNG or SVG
Click Download PNG for a high-resolution raster image (3× pixel density) or SVG for a fully scalable vector file ready for print.
Format guide
Which barcode format should you use?
Different industries and use cases require different barcode standards. Here is a quick guide to help you pick the right format.
Code 128
General purposeThe most versatile barcode format. Supports all 128 ASCII characters — letters, digits, and symbols. Best for shipping labels, inventory tags, library systems, healthcare ID, and any application that doesn't require a specific standard.
EAN-13
Retail productsThe global standard for retail product packaging. Used on nearly every product sold in supermarkets and shops worldwide outside North America. Encodes a 13-digit GTIN. Enter 12 digits — the check digit is calculated automatically.
UPC-A
US retailThe North American retail standard, used on products sold in the United States and Canada. Functionally similar to EAN-13 but 12 digits. Required for selling through major US retailers like Walmart, Target, and Amazon US.
ITF-14
Shipping & wholesaleUsed on corrugated cardboard boxes, shipping cartons, and pallets — not individual retail items. Encodes a 14-digit GTIN and is printed directly on packaging. Scannable even on rough cardboard surfaces.
Code 39
Industrial & defenceOne of the oldest barcode formats, widely supported in industrial, automotive, military, and government applications. Supports uppercase A–Z, digits 0–9, and a few special characters. Less compact than Code 128 but universally readable.
EAN-8
Small packagingA shorter version of EAN-13 designed for small product packaging where there is not enough space for a full 13-digit barcode. Common on confectionery, cosmetics, and small consumer goods. Enter 7 digits — the check digit is auto-calculated.
Use cases
Who uses a barcode generator?
From small businesses creating product labels to developers building inventory systems — barcodes are everywhere.
Retail & e-commerce sellers
Generate EAN-13 or UPC-A barcodes for product listings on Amazon, Flipkart, and physical retail. Print on labels for shelf-ready packaging.
Logistics & warehousing
Create Code 128 barcodes for shipping labels, packing slips, and carton identification. Use ITF-14 for wholesale carton tracking.
Manufacturers & factories
Label parts, components, and finished goods with Code 128 or Code 39 barcodes for production line tracking and quality control.
Libraries & schools
Generate Code 128 barcodes for book labelling, asset tagging, and student ID cards. Fully compatible with standard barcode scanners.
Healthcare & pharmacy
Create Pharmacode barcodes for pharmaceutical packaging, or Code 128 for patient wristbands, specimen labels, and medication tracking.
Developers & system builders
Prototype barcode label formats, test scanner compatibility, or generate test barcodes for inventory and point-of-sale system development.
Bulk barcode generation
Need barcodes in bulk? Use the API.
The free barcode generator on this page creates one barcode at a time. For batch barcode generation — creating hundreds or thousands of barcodes from a product list, CSV file, or database — use the LinkLab API.
- Generate barcodes programmatically from any data source
- Supports all formats: Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 39, ITF-14 and more
- Batch barcode generation in a single API call
- PNG and SVG output with custom colours and dimensions
- Integrate with your inventory, WMS, or e-commerce platform
Example API request
POST /api/barcodes/generate
{
"format": "CODE128",
"values": [
"PROD-001",
"PROD-002",
"PROD-003"
],
"options": {
"lineColor": "#000000",
"background": "#FFFFFF",
"width": 2,
"height": 100
}
}Available on Starter plan and above.
Also try
Need a QR code instead of a barcode?
QR codes store more data, work with mobile cameras, and are better for URLs, menus, and marketing campaigns. Try the free LinkLab QR code generator and scanner.
FAQ
Barcode generator — frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about barcode formats, free barcode generation, bulk barcodes, and EAN-13 vs UPC-A vs Code 128.
What is a barcode generator?
A barcode generator is a tool that converts text or numbers into a scannable barcode image. LinkLab's free barcode generator creates barcodes in formats like Code 128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, Code 39, and ITF-14. You can customise colours, bar width, and height, then download as PNG or SVG.
How do I generate a barcode for free?
Type or paste your text or number into the barcode generator, choose a format (such as Code 128 for general use or EAN-13 for retail products), adjust colours and size, then click Download PNG. No account or payment is required.
Can I generate barcodes in bulk?
The free tool on this page generates one barcode at a time. For bulk barcode generation — creating hundreds or thousands of barcodes from a CSV list — use the LinkLab API. API access is available on paid plans.
What barcode formats does this generator support?
LinkLab supports Code 128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, Code 39, ITF-14, MSI/Plessey, and Pharmacode. Code 128 is the best choice for general use. EAN-13 and UPC-A are required for retail product packaging. ITF-14 is used for shipping cartons.
What is the difference between Code 128 and Code 39?
Code 128 supports the full ASCII character set (letters, digits, symbols) and produces a more compact barcode. Code 39 only supports uppercase letters, digits, and a few symbols, but is simpler to implement in older scanning systems. For new applications, Code 128 is preferred.
Can I use this barcode generator for retail product packaging?
Yes. EAN-13 is the standard barcode used on retail products globally. Enter your 12-digit GTIN and the generator will calculate and add the check digit automatically. For US retail, use UPC-A instead. Download the barcode as a high-resolution PNG or SVG for print.
What is an EAN-13 barcode?
EAN-13 (European Article Number) is a 13-digit barcode standard used worldwide on retail product packaging. It encodes a country code, company prefix, product code, and check digit. It is scanned at point-of-sale terminals in shops, supermarkets, and warehouses.
What is a Code 128 barcode used for?
Code 128 is a high-density linear barcode used in shipping labels, inventory management, logistics, and general industrial applications. It can encode all 128 ASCII characters and is the most widely used general-purpose barcode format.
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