Barcode Generator — free EAN-13, UPC-A, CODE128 and more (PNG & SVG export)
Need a real barcode (the row-of-bars 1D kind, not a QR code) for a product, carton, shelf or asset label? Type your content and QR Cat generates the six symbologies retail and logistics actually use: CODE128 (the most versatile — shipping labels and warehouse picking), EAN-13 and EAN-8 (global retail product codes), UPC-A (North American retail), CODE39 (industrial / ID) and ITF-14 (outer cases / pallets). We validate your input against the chosen symbology in real time — EAN/UPC have strict length and check-digit rules, so a bad entry is flagged instantly — then add the check digit for you and export crisp PNG or vector SVG. It all runs locally in your browser: nothing uploaded, nothing tracked, free forever, never expires, no watermark, no sign-up.
Barcode Generator is a free online tool from QR Cat. Enter your content and get a scannable QR code (or decode one) instantly — everything runs locally in your browser, nothing uploaded or tracked. The codes are static: free forever, never expire, no watermark, no sign-up.
Most versatile: letters, digits and symbols. The default for shipping labels, internal assets and warehouse picking.
Any ASCII characters (letters, digits, symbols); no fixed length.
Appearance
Pick a symbology and type your content
Local · never uploaded · never expires
How to use the barcode generator?
- 1Pick a symbology: unsure? Use CODE128 (letters and digits, most versatile). For a retail product code, pick EAN-13 or UPC-A.
- 2Type the content: EAN/UPC are digits-only with a fixed length, and a bad entry is flagged instantly — hit 'Fill with a sample' to see a working example first.
- 3Tune the look: toggle the human-readable text under the bars and set bar and background colors (keep dark bars on a light background for strong contrast).
- 4Export: PNG (HD bitmap) for the web and docs; SVG (vector, sharp at any size) for the printer — packaging, cartons and labels.
Why use QR Cat's Barcode Generator?
- Six real symbologies for retail + logistics: CODE128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, CODE39 and ITF-14 — products, cartons, shelves, assets and badges all have a matching code, no jumping between tools.
- Live validation and auto check digit: EAN/UPC have strict length and check-digit rules; this tool flags a bad entry instantly and adds the check digit when it's valid — no 'prints but won't scan' broken codes.
- Vector SVG free: for packaging, cartons and labels always use SVG (sharp at any size) — many free barcode sites give only low-res PNG or lock vector export behind a paywall.
- Generated locally in your browser — your content never touches our servers, and we don't track scans.
- Free forever, never expires: these are static codes — your content lives inside the image itself, not on our servers. Even if this site shut down, your printed codes keep working — unlike the sites that disable your code when a trial ends and hold it for ransom.
- No watermark, no sign-up: download and go. We don't stamp a logo on your code or make you hand over an email first.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a barcode and a QR code — which do I need?
A barcode is the row-of-bars '1D' code; it holds little data (usually a number), scans with a laser scanner, and is the industry standard for retail checkout, warehousing and product packaging. A QR code is the square dot-matrix '2D' code that holds URLs, WiFi, contacts and more, mainly scanned by phone cameras. To enter products into a POS system, make shelf/inventory labels, or print on packaging and cartons, use a barcode. To let someone scan to open a link / join WiFi / save a contact, use a QR code (also free here).
How many digits do EAN-13 / UPC-A need, and do I compute the check digit?
You don't compute it. Enter 12 digits for EAN-13, 11 for UPC-A, 7 for EAN-8, 13 for ITF-14, and the tool adds the final check digit per the standard. You can also paste the full length (13/12/8/14 digits) and it'll verify it. A wrong length or non-digit content is flagged instantly — no broken codes.
Can I just make up an EAN/UPC product number?
Technically you can generate and scan it, but to trade through retail channels and be accepted by stores' systems, a product code (GTIN) must be officially registered with GS1 and is globally unique — a made-up number may collide with someone else's or be rejected. This tool is great for internal inventory/asset numbers, rendering an existing valid GTIN, proofing, and teaching. For retail distribution, register with GS1.
PNG or SVG — which for printing on packaging?
For print, always SVG (vector, sharp and crisp at any size — bars won't blur), best for design and the printer. For the web, chat or documents, use PNG (an HD bitmap, ready to use). Barcodes are especially sensitive to bar sharpness and quiet zone, so vector printing is the safest.
Is my barcode content uploaded?
No. The barcode is generated entirely in your browser with JavaScript — your content (product numbers, asset IDs, internal links) is never uploaded or logged. That matters for batch labeling with internal numbers.
Why won't my barcode scan?
Three common causes: (1) printed too small or bars too thin — a barcode needs enough width and sharpness, and shrunk too far the adjacent bars blur together; (2) not enough contrast — it must be dark bars on a light background, and inverted or light bars often fail; (3) no quiet zone — barcodes need a blank margin on each side, so crowding against text or a border breaks the scan. For print use SVG, keep the size and margins, and keep dark bars on a light background.
Updated · QR Cat team