Choosing a barcode type
| Type | Data | Typical use |
|---|
| Code 128 | All ASCII characters | Inventory, shipping labels, asset tags |
| UPC-A | 12 digits | Retail products in North America |
| EAN-13 | 13 digits | Retail products worldwide, books (ISBN) |
| EAN-8 | 8 digits | Very small retail packages |
| Code 39 | A–Z, 0–9, a few symbols | Badges, government and automotive |
| ITF-14 | 14 digits | Cases and cartons of retail products |
Printing barcodes that scan
- Print in black on white; colored or low-contrast bars may not scan.
- Leave a blank margin (quiet zone) on both sides.
- Do not stretch the image unevenly; scale width and height together.
- Test with a scanner or a phone barcode app before printing a large batch.
Need a code that phones can scan to open a link? Use the QR code generator. Need unique IDs? Try the UUID generator.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use these barcodes on products I sell in stores?
The barcode image will scan correctly, but retailers require that UPC and EAN numbers be officially assigned to your company by GS1, the global standards organization. Making up a retail number can clash with another company's product. For internal use, such as inventory or asset tags, any number is fine.
What is the difference between UPC and EAN?
UPC-A uses 12 digits and is common in the US and Canada. EAN-13 uses 13 digits and is used worldwide. Most modern scanners read both.
Why does my UPC or EAN show a different last digit?
The last digit is a check digit calculated from the others. If you leave it off, the generator adds the correct one for you. If you type a wrong one, the code will be marked invalid.
Which barcode type should I use for inventory?
Code 128 is the most flexible: it handles letters, numbers and symbols and stays compact. Code 39 is older but very widely supported by basic scanners.
What file format should I download?
SVG is a vector file that stays perfectly sharp at any size, ideal for printing and label software. PNG is best for documents, websites and spreadsheets.