How to make a barcode
- Pick a code type. UPC-A is standard for US and Canadian retail, EAN-13 for most other countries, ISBN for books, ITF-14 for shipping cartons, and Code 128 or Code 39 for inventory and labels.
- Type your number. For UPC and EAN you can leave off the check digit and it's added for you. If you enter the full number, the tool checks the last digit.
- Set the size with the sliders, in millimeters, inches, or pixels. For retail codes, the 80% to 200% buttons keep you in the scannable range. Or enter a total width and tap Fit.
- Adjust the label, caption, spacing, and colors, then choose a file type and download. Tap Save these settings to reuse your setup next time.
- Have a lot of products? Open Batch mode, paste your list, and download everything as one ZIP.
Where real retail barcode numbers come from
This tool draws a barcode from any number you give it, but it can't give you a number that stores will accept. Retail product numbers (GTINs) are issued by GS1, the nonprofit that runs the barcode system. In the US, that's GS1 US, which sells individual numbers and company prefixes for making your own range.
Large retailers and marketplaces, including Amazon and Walmart, check numbers against the GS1 database. Numbers bought from resellers, or made up, can be rejected or may already belong to another company's product. For internal use, like inventory bins, event merch, or a shop that only sells direct, you can use any number you like.
When it comes in handy
- Product packaging. Get print-ready barcode art for boxes, bags, and hang tags once you have your GS1 numbers.
- Magazines and printed merch. Add a scannable code to back covers, prints, and branded goods sold at events.
- Inventory and stock rooms. Label shelves, bins, and gear cases for quick scanning.
- Checking numbers. Paste a UPC from a supplier to confirm its check digit is right before you print.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between UPC-A and EAN-13?
They're the same system. UPC-A has 12 digits and is used mainly in the US and Canada. EAN-13 has 13 digits and is used almost everywhere else. A UPC-A number becomes an EAN-13 by adding a 0 in front, and modern scanners read both.
What is a check digit?
It's the last digit of the barcode number, calculated from all the others. Scanners use it to catch misreads. If you change any digit of the number, the check digit changes too, so it must always be recalculated rather than copied.
How small can I print a barcode?
A standard UPC-A or EAN-13 (100%) is about 37.3 by 25.9 mm (1.47 by 1.02 inches), including the blank margins. Retail scanners are designed for 80% to 200% of that. Going smaller, or cutting the bars short, can cause scanning failures at checkout. Code 128 and Code 39 have no fixed size, but bars narrower than about 0.25 mm get hard to print and scan.
Why do I need the white space around the barcode?
The blank margins on each side, called quiet zones, tell the scanner where the code starts and stops. Keep them clear of text, borders, and other artwork. The downloads include them automatically.
Can I use colors?
Use dark bars on a light background. Black on white is safest. Most checkout scanners use red light, so red, orange, and yellow bars look invisible to them, and bars on a dark or reflective background can fail too. The tool warns you about risky combinations.
Can I make up my own UPC number?
For internal use, yes. To sell through retailers or marketplaces, you need numbers licensed from GS1, because stores verify them against the GS1 registry.
What are add-on codes on magazines and books?
The small extra barcode to the right of the main one. Magazines use a 2-digit add-on for the issue number, so each issue scans separately. Books use a 5-digit add-on for the suggested price: the first digit is the currency (5 for US dollars) and the rest is the price, so 51995 means $19.95, and 90000 means no price.
What is bar width reduction?
Ink spreads a little when it hits paper, which makes printed bars fatter than designed. Bar width reduction trims each bar slightly to compensate. Your printer can tell you the right amount for their press, typically 0.02 to 0.05 mm for offset printing. Leave it at 0 for laser, inkjet, and thermal printers.
Which code type should I use?
Use UPC-A or EAN-13 for anything sold in stores, UPC-E or EAN-8 for packages too small for a full code, ISBN for books, and ITF-14 for outer shipping cartons. Code 128 and Code 39 can hold letters as well as numbers, which makes them good for inventory tags, asset labels, and tickets.
Is anything uploaded?
No. Barcodes are drawn in your browser, and batch ZIP files are built on your device.