Barcode Generator
Generate high-quality Code 128 barcodes from text or numbers.
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Barcode Types Explained
Different industries use different barcode standards. Choosing the correct format depends on what data you need to encode and where the barcode will be used.
Common 1D Barcode Formats
- EAN-13: 13-digit international retail standard used on almost all consumer products worldwide
- UPC-A: 12-digit standard used in North America — technically an EAN-13 with a leading zero
- Code 128: high-density, encodes all ASCII characters. Used in logistics, shipping labels (FedEx, UPS, USPS)
- Code 39: alphanumeric, widely used in healthcare and military/government
Minimum Print Size Guidelines
- EAN-13: minimum 37.29×26.26 mm (standard), 80% magnification minimum for retail scanning
- Code 128: module width minimum 0.25mm; height at least 15% of barcode width
- Always include the human-readable number below the barcode for manual entry fallback
How do I get a real EAN-13 barcode for my product?
For products sold in retail stores, you need a legitimate GS1-issued barcode. In the U.S., register at GS1 US (gs1us.org) — membership starts at ~$250/year for up to 10 products. "Resold" barcodes on eBay/Amazon violate GS1 rules and can cause retailer listing rejections. For Amazon FBA, you also have the option of using Amazon's own ASIN system instead of a GS1 barcode.
What file format should I download the barcode in?
SVG is preferred for print — it's vector format and scales to any size without pixelation. Use SVG for labels, packaging, and any print material. PNG is acceptable for digital use. Avoid using low-resolution PNG barcodes in print materials — scanners may fail to read blurry barcodes.