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SPCXTools

Barcode Generator

Generate printable barcodes in all common formats, with check-digit validation and PNG/SVG export.

Runs locally — files never leave your device

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How to use Barcode Generator

  1. 1Pick a barcode type — Code 128 for general use, EAN-13 or UPC-A for retail products.
  2. 2Enter the value. The hint below the field explains which characters and lengths the format accepts.
  3. 3Adjust the bar height, bar width and colours, and choose whether to print the value under the bars.
  4. 4Download the barcode as PNG for documents or SVG for sharp, scalable printing.

Generate barcodes online

Barcodes let scanners read product numbers, shipping references and inventory codes in a fraction of a second. This barcode generator creates the most widely used one-dimensional (linear) barcode formats and exports them as high-quality PNG or SVG files. It validates check digits so you don't print codes that won't scan, and it runs entirely in your browser.

Supported formats

Format Characters Typical use
Code 128 All ASCII Shipping labels, logistics, inventory
EAN-13 13 digits Retail products worldwide, books (ISBN)
EAN-8 8 digits Small retail packages
UPC-A 12 digits Retail products in North America
Code 39 A–Z, 0–9, a few symbols Industry, automotive, ID badges
ITF-14 14 digits Outer cartons and cases
Codabar Digits and symbols Libraries, blood banks, couriers
MSI Plessey Digits Warehouse shelf labels

Features

  • Live preview that updates as you type.
  • Check-digit validation and completion for EAN, UPC and ITF-14.
  • Adjustable bar height and width, custom colours and optional human-readable text.
  • PNG and SVG downloads — SVG for professional printing, PNG for documents and spreadsheets.

Common uses

Small businesses and makers print labels for products, stock bins and price tags. Warehouses create Code 128 labels for locations and pallets. Libraries and schools label books and equipment. Event organisers add barcodes to tickets and badges. Developers and testers generate sample barcodes to test scanning apps and point-of-sale systems.

Tips for reliable scanning

  • Contrast matters. Use dark bars on a light background. Red bars are invisible to many laser scanners, and inverted colours (light bars on dark) often fail.
  • Keep the quiet zone. Leave blank space on the left and right of the bars; the generator adds a margin for you.
  • Don't squash it. Reducing height is usually fine, but shrinking the width makes bars too thin to print accurately.
  • Test before mass printing with the actual scanner or phone app that will be used.

For links, Wi-Fi details and longer text, a two-dimensional code holds much more data — use the QR Code Generator.

Frequently asked questions

Which barcode type should I use?
Use EAN-13 (worldwide) or UPC-A (USA and Canada) for retail products sold in shops. Use Code 128 for shipping labels, inventory and internal tracking — it encodes letters, numbers and symbols compactly. Code 39 is common in older industrial and government systems, and ITF-14 marks shipping cartons.
Can I make a real EAN or UPC code for my product?
This tool draws any valid EAN or UPC number, but to sell in retail stores the number itself must be licensed from GS1, the organisation that issues product codes. Without a registered company prefix, shops and marketplaces may reject the code.
Why does it say my EAN-13 or UPC number is invalid?
The last digit of EAN and UPC codes is a check digit calculated from the others. If it doesn't match, the barcode is rejected so you don't print a code scanners can't read. You can also enter just 12 digits for EAN-13 (11 for UPC-A) and the check digit will be added automatically.
Is PNG or SVG better for printing?
SVG. It is a vector format, so bars stay perfectly sharp at any size, which matters for scanners. If you need PNG, the download is rendered at three times the on-screen size for better print quality.
What size should a printed barcode be?
For EAN-13 and UPC-A, the standard (100%) size is about 37 × 26 mm; it can usually be scaled between 80% and 200%. Avoid shortening the bar height too much, and always leave a white quiet zone on both sides.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. Barcodes are generated in your browser.