How to Generate a Barcode Online for Free

What Is a Barcode and How It Works

A barcode is a machine-readable representation of data in a visual format using parallel lines of varying widths and spacings. A barcode scanner reads these patterns using a laser or camera and converts them back to the original data — a number, a product code, or a text string.

Barcodes were invented in the 1970s to speed up supermarket checkout lines. Before barcodes, cashiers typed prices manually. After barcodes, scanning a product took a fraction of a second. The technology spread from retail to manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, libraries, and anywhere that items need to be tracked or identified quickly.

Today, the familiar one-dimensional barcode (parallel lines) is joined by 2D barcodes like QR codes. Both serve the same fundamental purpose — encoding data in a scannable format — but differ in how much data they can store and how they are scanned.

How to Generate a Barcode Using TakeTheTools

Open the Barcode Generator on TakeTheTools.

Select the barcode type you need (see below for guidance on which type to choose).

Enter the data you want to encode — a product code, a number, or text depending on the barcode type.

The barcode generates instantly. Download it as PNG for use in documents and labels, or SVG for scalable use in print designs.

No account needed, no watermark on the output, completely free.

Barcode Types — Which One to Use

Code 128 Encodes: All 128 ASCII characters (letters, numbers, symbols) Use for: Shipping labels, internal inventory systems, any application where you control both the encoder and scanner The most versatile 1D barcode for general business use.

Code 39 Encodes: Uppercase letters, digits 0-9, and a handful of symbols Use for: Manufacturing, automotive industry, government applications Older standard, widely supported, but less compact than Code 128.

EAN-13 Encodes: 13 digits (European Article Number) Use for: Retail products sold in Europe, Asia, and most of the world (except North America) The standard retail barcode. The 13-digit number includes country code, manufacturer code, product code, and check digit. Used on products in supermarkets, pharmacies, and retail stores.

EAN-8 Encodes: 8 digits Use for: Small retail products where a full EAN-13 barcode would not fit (small packaging, cosmetics) A shorter version of EAN-13 for space-constrained applications.

UPC-A Encodes: 12 digits Use for: Retail products sold in the United States and Canada The North American equivalent of EAN-13. Required for products sold in major US retailers.

UPC-E Encodes: 6 digits (compressed from UPC-A) Use for: Small retail products in North America where space is limited

ITF-14 Encodes: 14 digits Use for: Shipping cartons and outer packaging Used on the boxes that contain products, rather than on individual products.

QR Code Encodes: Up to several thousand characters (URL, text, contact info) Use for: Marketing materials, contactless information sharing, linking physical items to digital content 2D barcode — see the separate QR Code Generator tool for QR-specific guidance.

EAN-13 and UPC-A — The Retail Barcode System

If you are creating barcodes for retail products, understanding the numbering system matters.

EAN-13 and UPC-A are not arbitrary numbers you can make up. They are structured identifiers issued by GS1, the global organization that manages barcode standards. The prefix (first few digits) identifies the manufacturer, and the remaining digits identify the specific product. The final digit is a calculated check digit.

To get official barcodes for retail sale: Register with GS1 (gs1.org) to obtain a company prefix, then assign product codes within that prefix. There is an annual membership fee. Official GS1 barcodes are recognized by all major retailers.

For non-retail internal use: You can use any numbers in Code 128 or Code 39 barcodes for your own inventory, library, or tracking system. No registration required since you control both sides.

The TakeTheTools barcode generator creates the visual barcode from any number you provide. Ensuring the number is valid and properly registered (for retail use) is your responsibility.

Barcode Size — How Large Should It Be?

Barcode size affects scannability. Too small and the lines become too fine for scanners to read reliably. Too large is wasteful of label space.

Minimum recommended sizes:

Code 128: 25mm wide × 12mm tall (minimum). Preferred: 38mm × 20mm.

EAN-13: 37.29mm × 26.26mm at 100% magnification. The standard recommends between 80% and 200% of nominal size.

UPC-A: 37.29mm wide at nominal size. Same 80-200% range.

Always test print your barcode at the intended size and scan it with the actual scanner you plan to use before printing at scale. What looks right on screen may not scan reliably when printed.

For digital display (on screens rather than printed labels), the barcode just needs to be large enough for the scanner to capture clearly — usually at least 100 pixels wide for a Code 128.

Common Use Cases

Product labels for small businesses. If you sell handmade or small-batch products and need barcodes for inventory management or POS systems, Code 128 barcodes work well for internal tracking without GS1 registration.

Library and asset tracking. Libraries, equipment rooms, and asset management systems use Code 128 or Code 39 barcodes to track items with a simple scan.

Event ticketing. Event tickets and boarding passes use barcodes (or QR codes) that scanners read at entry points.

Document management. Some document management systems use barcodes on cover pages to automatically file scanned documents into the correct digital folder.

Shipping and logistics. Shipping labels use standardized barcode formats to track packages through carrier networks.

Final Thoughts

Barcodes are the backbone of product tracking, retail, and logistics systems worldwide. Generating one for a specific product, asset, or document is a practical task that comes up regularly in business operations.

The TakeTheTools Barcode Generator supports all major 1D barcode formats, outputs PNG and SVG, generates instantly in your browser, and is completely free with no account required.