Instant Barcode Generator: Make Code 128, UPC-A and EAN-13 Barcodes

This instant barcode generator turns your code or SKU into a Code 128, UPC-A or EAN-13 barcode in seconds, drawn right in your browser, and you can download the result as an image.

Need a barcode for a label, a stock item or a school project? Type your code, choose a format, decide whether to show the numbers under the bars, and press Generate Barcode. For UPC-A and EAN-13, the tool works out the last digit, called the check digit, for you. Code 128 takes letters, numbers and symbols, so it is great for your own stock codes and asset tags. One important note: a barcode for products sold in shops needs a real number from GS1, the organization that issues retail barcode numbers. Free, no sign-up.

How to Use the Instant Barcode Generator

Six quick steps. No account.

1. Type your code. Enter your SKU, stock number or product number in the Code / SKU box. It starts with the example RG-2026-001.
2. Choose a symbology. Pick Code 128 for letters and numbers, UPC-A for 12-digit codes or EAN-13 for 13-digit codes.
3. Choose Show text. Pick Yes to print the numbers under the bars, or No for bars only.
4. Press Generate Barcode. Your barcode appears with its format and a print size note.
5. Check the number. For UPC-A and EAN-13, the number on the card includes the check digit the tool added.
6. Download or copy it. Download PNG saves the barcode on a white background, Download SVG saves a vector file for print, and Copy puts the code text on your clipboard.

Which Barcode Format Should You Choose?

Pick the format for the job, not for how fancy the bars look.

If the barcode will only ever be scanned inside your own business, school or club, Code 128 is usually the easiest choice.

Check Digit Honesty: What the Tool Really Does

UPC-A and EAN-13 end with a check digit worked out from the other digits. Scanners use it to catch typing mistakes. You do not choose it. This is how the instant barcode generator treats your entry:

Always compare the number on the card with the number you were given. If your official number ends in a different digit, check that you typed it correctly before you print a stack of labels.

Retail Barcodes Need a GS1 Number

The tool can draw any digit string, but shops and many online marketplaces expect a UPC or EAN licensed to your company through GS1. Drawing a barcode is not the same as owning the number.

1. Get your company prefix and product numbers from GS1 in your country.
2. Type your official number into this tool.
3. Confirm the card matches your number, including the last digit.
4. Test-scan a printed sample before you print lots of labels.

For anything that stays inside your own stock room, tool cupboard or classroom, you can invent your own Code 128 codes.

What the Result Card Shows

• Your code with a format badge (Code 128, UPC-A or EAN-13).
• The barcode drawn as SVG bars in the browser.
• Print size note that suggests about 50 to 70 mm wide and a 300 dpi image. That line is general advice, not a measured module width for every code.
• Format reminder such as Code 128 (alphanumeric) or UPC-A (12 digits).

Tips for a Scan-Ready Print

• Keep it black on white. Strong contrast scans best.
• Leave quiet space. Keep a clear white gap on both sides of the bars.
• Do not stretch it. Resize width and height together.
• Pick the right file. Download PNG saves just the barcode on white, ready for a label. Use Download SVG when you need to resize it for print.
• Print a test first. Scan one label with a real scanner or phone app before a full batch.

Code 128 Ideas for Internal Labels

• Stock and inventory: shelf codes like SHELF-A12.
• Asset tags: laptops, tools and borrowed kits.
• Classrooms and libraries: book and kit check-out codes.
• Events: tickets and badge IDs.
• Projects: scavenger hunt or science fair stations.

Building a code system? Use the random letter generator for prefix letters, and the random object generator for test items when you try a new labeling process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the instant barcode generator work?

Type your code or SKU, choose Code 128, UPC-A or EAN-13, pick whether to show the text under the bars, and press Generate Barcode. The barcode is drawn in your browser. For UPC-A and EAN-13, the tool adds the check digit. Then press Download PNG or Download SVG, or Copy to grab the code text.

Which barcode type should I choose?

Choose Code 128 for your own stock codes, asset tags and shelf labels, because it accepts letters, numbers and symbols. Choose UPC-A or EAN-13 only when you already have a retail number. UPC-A is common in the US and Canada. EAN-13 is common in most other countries.

Does it calculate the check digit?

Yes. For UPC-A it uses the first 11 digits and adds the 12th. For EAN-13 it uses the first 12 digits and adds the 13th. If you type a full 12 or 13 digit number, the last digit is replaced with the correct check digit, so compare the card with your official number.

What happens if I type a short UPC or EAN number?

Short digit entries are padded with leading zeros to reach 11 digits for UPC-A or 12 digits for EAN-13, then the check digit is added. That can turn a typo into a valid-looking barcode, so always read the full number on the card before you print labels.

Can I use these barcodes on products I sell in shops?

Only with a real retail number from GS1. The tool draws a correct barcode for any digits you enter, but shops and marketplaces expect UPC and EAN numbers licensed to your company. Get your numbers from GS1 first, type them here, then test-scan a printed sample.

Can I make a barcode with letters?

Yes. Choose Code 128, which accepts letters, numbers and symbols, such as RG-2026-001. UPC-A and EAN-13 only use digits, so the tool strips anything that is not a digit for those formats.

How do I print a barcode that scans?

Print black bars on a white background, leave a clear white gap on both sides, and keep the proportions. Download PNG saves only the barcode on a white background, so you can place it on a label without cropping. Always scan one test print before a full batch.

Can I make lots of barcodes at once?

No. The tool makes one barcode at a time. Type a code, generate, download, then type the next one. For hundreds of labels, dedicated label software is usually faster.