Which barcode format should I use for retail products?

For international retail products, use EAN-13 (13-digit code used worldwide) or UPC-A (12-digit code standard in North America). For smaller products, EAN-8 or UPC-E are compact alternatives.

What is the difference between 1D and 2D barcodes?

1D barcodes (like Code 128, EAN-13) encode data in parallel lines and are read horizontally. 2D barcodes (like DataMatrix, PDF417, Aztec) store data in both horizontal and vertical patterns, allowing much more data in a smaller space.

Can I generate barcodes in bulk?

Yes, the Batch tab allows you to import up to 100 barcodes via CSV file or by pasting data directly. You can export all generated barcodes as individual images in a ZIP file with your current design settings applied.

Are the generated barcodes scannable?

Yes, all generated barcodes are standards-compliant and scannable by commercial barcode readers. You can verify scannability using the built-in Reader tab, which supports both camera scanning and image upload.

Can I customize the barcode colors and add frames?

Absolutely. You can customize bar color, background color, text color, add decorative frames in multiple styles, include captions, and apply rotation. Eight color presets are available for quick professional designs.

Free Barcode Generator - Custom Design & Batch Creation | EAN UPC Code128 Online

Select Barcode Type

Data

Show Caption

Frame Design

Add decorative frames around the barcode

Color Presets

Click a preset to apply a random color theme

Scale: 3

Height: 10mm

Bar Width: Auto

Rotation

Colors

Bar Color

Background

Text Color

Show Border

Padding

Horizontal Padding: 0

Vertical Padding: 0

Barcode will appear here

3 columns: value (required), caption (optional), type (optional) · Max 100 items

No data. Import CSV or add rows.

Barcode Guide

Barcodes encode data into visual patterns, enabling fast scanning and data entry.

Barcode Types

1D Barcodes: Linear barcodes widely used in products/logistics
2D Barcodes: Store more data, including QR/DataMatrix
Retail: EAN-13, UPC-A used for product identification

Use Cases

Inventory management and logistics tracking
Product pricing and information lookup
Document/ticket authentication and scanning

Tips

Use the caption feature to display custom text below the barcode
Negative mode instantly swaps bar and background colors
PDF download saves in print-optimized vector format

What is Barcode Generator?

Barcode Generator is a versatile tool for creating professional-quality barcodes in over 17 different formats including EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 128, DataMatrix, PDF417, and Aztec codes. It offers extensive customization with color presets, decorative frames, captions, rotation, and sizing controls. The tool also supports batch generation of up to 100 barcodes via CSV import, barcode scanning from camera or uploaded images, and export in PNG or PDF format. Everything runs directly in your browser with no software installation required.

Support for 17+ barcode formats including 1D and 2D codes
Custom colors, frames, captions, and 8 one-click design presets
Batch generation of up to 100 barcodes via CSV import
Built-in barcode reader with camera and image upload support
Export as PNG images or print-optimized PDF documents
ZIP download for batch-generated barcodes

How to Use

1
Select barcode type
Choose the barcode format you need from the dropdown menu. Options are organized by category: common 1D, retail 1D, other 1D, and 2D barcodes.
2
Enter your data
Type the data to encode into the barcode. The tool validates your input in real time and shows format requirements for each barcode type.
3
Customize the design
Adjust colors, size, rotation, padding, and add optional frames or captions. Use color presets for quick professional styling.
4
Generate and download
Click Generate to create your barcode, then download it as a PNG image or PDF document. For bulk needs, switch to the Batch tab.
5
Batch generate (optional)
Import a CSV file or paste data to create up to 100 barcodes at once. Export all barcodes as a ZIP archive with your current design settings applied.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips & Best Practices

Ensure sufficient contrast between bar and background colors for reliable scanning — dark bars on light backgrounds work best.
Use Code 128 for general-purpose applications as it supports the full ASCII character set with high data density.
Always test your barcodes with a scanner before printing in production. Use the built-in Reader tab for quick verification.
For small labels, consider 2D barcodes like DataMatrix which can encode the same data in a smaller area.
Use PDF export for print production as it generates vector-format output that scales without quality loss.
When batch generating, download the sample CSV first to understand the correct format before importing your own data.