What is Code 128 barcode?

Code 128 is a high-density linear barcode that can encode all 128 ASCII characters. It is used for shipping labels, inventory management, asset tracking and any application requiring alphanumeric data. Code 128 uses three subsets: Code 128A (uppercase letters and control codes), Code 128B (uppercase and lowercase letters), and Code 128C (numeric pairs for compact digit encoding). This barcode generator automatically selects the optimal subset based on your input.

Barcode Generator – Free Online, SVG + PNG, Batch CSV

Q: What barcode format should I use?

Code 128 works for any alphanumeric text and is the most versatile format - use it for internal labels, shipping, asset tracking and any custom barcode. EAN-13 is the international standard for retail products sold globally - it requires exactly 13 digits. EAN-8 is a shorter version of EAN-13 for small packages. UPC-A is the North American retail standard requiring 12 digits, common on products sold in the US and Canada. UPC-E is a compressed 6-digit UPC-A for small items.

Q: What is a check digit in a barcode?

A check digit is the final digit in EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A and UPC-E barcodes, calculated from the other digits using a weighted sum algorithm. It allows scanners to verify the barcode was scanned correctly. If you enter 12 digits for an EAN-13, this tool automatically calculates and appends the correct 13th check digit. If you enter all 13 digits, the tool validates that your check digit is correct and warns you if it is not.

Q: How do I download a barcode as SVG or PNG?

After generating a barcode, click the Download SVG button to get a vector file that scales to any size without quality loss - ideal for print use. Click Download PNG to save a raster image at the size specified in the width controls. SVG files can be opened and edited in Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape or any vector editor. PNG files can be embedded in Word documents, presentations and websites.

Q: What is batch barcode generation?

Batch barcode generation creates multiple barcodes at once from a list of values. Upload a CSV file with one barcode value per row, and this tool generates all barcodes simultaneously in the selected format. You can then download each barcode individually as SVG or PNG. This feature is paywalled on most barcode generator services - LazyTools provides it free with no login required.

Q: How does EAN-13 barcode format work?

An EAN-13 barcode encodes 13 digits: a 2-3 digit country/company prefix (assigned by GS1), a company number, a product number, and a check digit. The barcode is divided into left and right halves by a centre guard pattern. The first digit determines the parity encoding of the left side digits. EAN-13 barcodes can be read by any modern retail scanner worldwide and are the global standard for product identification.

Q: Can I generate a barcode for my product?

Yes, you can generate a barcode image for any product using this tool. For retail products sold in stores, you will need an officially registered EAN-13 or UPC-A number from GS1 (gs1.org) - these are unique registered numbers that identify your specific product. For internal use (warehouse labels, asset tags, internal inventory) you can create any Code 128 barcode without registration. This tool generates the barcode image - for official retail barcodes, the number itself must come from GS1.

Q: Is this barcode generator free?

Yes, this barcode generator is completely free with no login, no account, and no watermarks on downloads. Single barcodes and batch CSV generation are both free. The barcode image is generated in your browser - no data is sent to any server. Your product codes and data stay on your device.

Key features

Everything the Barcode Generator Does

📷

4 Barcode Formats

Code 128 for alphanumeric text. EAN-13 for international retail. EAN-8 for small products. UPC-A for North American retail. All rendered pixel-perfectly in the browser.

🔍

Auto-Format Detection

Enter any value and the tool automatically detects the correct barcode format: 13 digits maps to EAN-13, 12 digits to UPC-A, 8 digits to EAN-8, anything else to Code 128.

✅

Check Digit Validation

For EAN-13, EAN-8 and UPC-A, the tool calculates and appends the correct check digit if missing, or validates your existing check digit and warns if incorrect.

⬇

SVG + PNG Download

Download as scalable SVG (ideal for print, no quality loss at any size) or as PNG at your specified pixel dimensions. No watermarks, no login.

📂

Batch CSV Generation

Upload a CSV or paste a list of values to generate up to 200 barcodes at once. Each barcode has its own individual download button. Paywalled on all competitor tools - free here.

🎨

Size & Colour Controls

Set exact pixel width and height. Choose bar colour and background colour independently. Toggle the human-readable text below the barcode on or off.

📋

Copy to Clipboard

Copy the barcode PNG to clipboard with one click for pasting directly into Word, PowerPoint, emails and other applications without saving a file.

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100% Private

All barcode generation runs in your browser. Your product codes and values are never sent to any server. No account or login required.

⚡

Instant Generation

Barcodes are drawn on HTML canvas immediately when you click Generate. No server round-trip. Works offline after first page load.

How to use

How to Create a Barcode Online

Choose your barcode format

Select Auto-detect to let the tool choose the correct format from your input, or select a specific format. Use Code 128 for any text or custom codes, EAN-13 for international retail products, and UPC-A for products sold in the US and Canada.

Enter your barcode value

Type the value to encode. For EAN-13, enter 12 digits (the check digit is calculated and appended automatically) or all 13 digits to validate. For Code 128, enter any text or alphanumeric string up to 80 characters.

Set size and colour

Set the barcode width and height in pixels. Choose the bar colour (default black) and background colour (default white). For print use, keep bars black on white for maximum scanner compatibility. Toggle text display on or off.

Click Generate Barcode

Click the Generate button to render the barcode. The preview appears immediately with a validation status showing whether the format and check digit are correct.

Download SVG or PNG

Click Download SVG for a vector file that scales to any size for print. Click Download PNG for a raster file at your specified dimensions. Click Copy PNG to paste directly into documents and emails.

For multiple barcodes, use Batch CSV

Switch to the Batch CSV tab. Upload a CSV file with one barcode value per row, or paste the values into the text area. Click Generate All Barcodes to create all barcodes at once, each with its own individual download button.

Competitor comparison

Barcode Generator: LazyTools vs Competitors

Most free online barcode generators are limited to one format, produce low-resolution images and charge for batch generation. LazyTools offers four formats, SVG download and free batch generation.

Feature	LazyTools	barcode.tec-it.com	barcodelookup.com	cognex.com
Code 128	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
EAN-13 / EAN-8	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
UPC-A	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
SVG download	Yes (free)	Yes	PNG only	No download
Batch CSV generation	Yes (free)	Paid plan	No	No
Auto-format detection	Yes	No	No	No
Check digit auto-calculate	Yes	Yes	No	No
No login required	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Barcode guide

Barcode Format Guide: Which to Use

Choosing the correct barcode format is critical. Using the wrong format means scanners will fail to read the code in the expected context. This guide covers the four most common linear barcode formats and when to use each.

Format	Characters	Length	Primary use
Code 128	All 128 ASCII	Variable	Shipping, logistics, asset tracking, internal labels
EAN-13	Digits only	13 digits	International retail products, books (ISBN), global trade
EAN-8	Digits only	8 digits	Small retail packages where EAN-13 is too wide
UPC-A	Digits only	12 digits	North American retail (US, Canada)
UPC-E	Digits only	6 digits	Small North American packages (compressed UPC-A)
QR Code	Any text/URL	Variable	URLs, contact cards, Wi-Fi, marketing

Code 128 barcode generator: the versatile choice

The Code 128 barcode generator is the right choice for most non-retail applications. Code 128 encodes all 128 ASCII characters, including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, punctuation and special characters. It is used extensively in shipping (FedEx, UPS, USPS all use Code 128), warehouse management, asset tags, document tracking and any internal labelling system. Code 128 has three subsets: Code 128A, Code 128B and Code 128C. This generator automatically selects Code 128B for mixed alphanumeric content and Code 128C for purely numeric strings, optimising the barcode density.

EAN-13 generator: international retail barcodes

The EAN-13 generator creates barcodes for internationally traded products. Every EAN-13 barcode encodes 13 digits: a 2-3 digit GS1 country prefix (assigned to the company's country of registration, not the country of manufacture), a company identifier, a product reference and a single check digit. Books use a special 978 or 979 prefix (the ISBN barcode system is a subset of EAN-13). To obtain an official EAN-13 number for retail products, you must register with GS1 at gs1.org. This barcode generator creates the barcode image from any 12 or 13 digit number - the official GS1 registration is separate.

Product barcode generator free: what you need to know

Using this tool as a product barcode generator free generates the barcode image. However, for retail products scanned at checkout, the barcode number itself must be officially registered. For internal use (warehouse labels, asset tracking, inventory management in your own systems), you can use any Code 128 barcode value without registration. For retail barcodes on products sold in shops, you need a GS1 registered company prefix, which costs an annual fee from GS1. This tool generates the image for whichever number you provide.

Batch barcode generator from CSV: how it works

The batch barcode generator from CSV feature on the second tab generates up to 200 barcodes from a single upload. Prepare a CSV file with one barcode value per row (no header row needed), or paste the values directly into the text area. Select the barcode format and height, then click Generate All Barcodes. Each barcode is rendered as a separate canvas element with its own Download SVG button. This feature is paywalled on barcode generator services like tec-it.com and free on LazyTools.

GS1 barcode generator online: check digits explained

The GS1 barcode check digit is the last digit of EAN-13, EAN-8 and UPC-A barcodes, calculated using a weighted alternating sum: multiply each digit alternately by 1 and 3, sum all products, find the smallest number that makes the total a multiple of 10. Example for EAN-13: given 12 digits 590123412345, alternating weights give a sum of 72, so the check digit is 8 (making 80, a multiple of 10). The check digit allows scanners to detect misreads. This generator calculates the check digit automatically when you enter 12 digits for an EAN-13.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What barcode format should I use?▼

Code 128 for any alphanumeric text, internal labels and logistics. EAN-13 for international retail products (13 digits). EAN-8 for small retail packages. UPC-A for North American retail (12 digits). Use Auto-detect and the tool will choose the right format from your input.

What is a check digit in a barcode?▼

A check digit is the final digit in EAN-13, EAN-8 and UPC-A barcodes, calculated from the other digits using a weighted sum algorithm. It lets scanners verify the barcode was read correctly. Enter 12 digits for an EAN-13 and this tool calculates and appends the correct 13th check digit automatically.

How do I download a barcode as SVG or PNG?▼

After generating a barcode, click Download SVG for a vector file (scales to any size without quality loss, ideal for print). Click Download PNG for a raster image at your specified pixel dimensions. SVG opens in Illustrator, Inkscape and any vector editor. PNG embeds in Word, PowerPoint and websites.

What is batch barcode generation?▼

Batch generation creates multiple barcodes at once. Upload a CSV with one value per row, or paste values into the text area, and click Generate All Barcodes. Up to 200 barcodes are created simultaneously, each with its own download button. This feature is paywalled on most barcode generator services - it is free here.

How does EAN-13 barcode format work?▼

EAN-13 encodes 13 digits: a GS1 country/company prefix (2-3 digits), company number, product number and a check digit. Divided into left and right halves by a centre guard. The first digit determines the left side parity encoding. It is the global retail standard, scannable worldwide.

What is Code 128?▼

Code 128 is a high-density linear barcode encoding all 128 ASCII characters. Used for shipping labels, inventory, asset tracking and any alphanumeric data. Three subsets: A (uppercase + control codes), B (upper + lowercase), C (numeric pairs for compact digit encoding). This tool auto-selects the optimal subset.

Can I generate a barcode for my product?▼

Yes. For internal use (warehouse, asset tracking), create any Code 128 barcode with no registration needed. For retail products sold in stores, the barcode number must be officially registered with GS1 (gs1.org). This tool generates the barcode image - for retail barcodes, the number itself must come from GS1.

Is this barcode generator free?▼

Yes, completely free. No login, no account, no watermarks on downloads. Single barcodes and batch CSV generation are both free. All generation happens in your browser - your data is never sent to any server.

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