Barcode Generator
Generate production-ready barcodes and QR codes instantly. Supports EAN-13, UPC-A, Code-128, and more.
Configuration
Choose a barcode type, enter your data, and customize the output.
Preview
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Your barcode preview will appear here.
What is a Barcode?
A barcode is a machine-readable representation of data, typically displayed as parallel lines (1D barcodes) or a grid of squares (2D codes like QR). Barcodes encode product identifiers, URLs, serial numbers, and other information so that scanners and cameras can read them instantly — eliminating manual data entry and reducing errors.
Types of Barcodes
- EAN-13 — The international standard for retail products. A 13-digit code used on virtually every consumer product sold outside North America.
- UPC-A — The 12-digit barcode standard for retail products in the United States and Canada. Found on almost every item at a checkout counter.
- EAN-8 — A compact 8-digit version of EAN-13, designed for small packages where space is limited, such as candy bars or cosmetics.
- UPC-E — A compressed 6-to-8-digit version of UPC-A for small products. It uses zero suppression to reduce the number of bars printed.
- Code-128 — A high-density alphanumeric barcode used in logistics, shipping labels, and supply chain management. Encodes the full ASCII character set.
- Code-39 — An older alphanumeric barcode widely used in automotive, defense, and healthcare industries. Supports uppercase letters, digits, and a handful of special characters.
- ITF-14 — A numeric-only barcode used to label outer cartons and shipping containers. The “Interleaved 2 of 5” encoding pairs digits for compact representation.
- QR Code — A two-dimensional matrix code that can store URLs, text, and data up to 4,296 characters. Commonly used for mobile scanning, marketing, and contactless payments.
Why Barcodes Matter for Inventory Management
Barcodes are the backbone of modern inventory management. Scanning a barcode takes a fraction of a second compared to manual data entry, reducing human error by up to 99%. They enable real-time stock tracking, faster warehouse picking, accurate cycle counts, and seamless point-of-sale transactions. Whether you manage 50 SKUs or 50,000, barcodes ensure every item is accounted for throughout your supply chain.
How Nventory Helps
Nventory integrates barcode scanning directly into your inventory workflows. Print labels with barcodes for every product, scan items during receiving and shipping, and keep your stock levels accurate across all sales channels — all from a single platform. With Nventory, barcodes are not just identifiers; they power automated reorder alerts, real-time stock visibility, and seamless omnichannel fulfillment.
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Frequently Asked
Questions
Everything you need to know about this tool, how it works, and what to expect from the results.
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Contact SupportA barcode is a machine-readable representation of data using parallel lines (1D) or patterns of squares (2D). Scanners read barcodes by detecting the width and spacing of these elements. Barcodes are used in retail, warehousing, and logistics to identify products, track inventory, and speed up checkout.
Common 1D barcode types include EAN-13, UPC-A, EAN-8, UPC-E, Code-128, Code-39, and ITF-14. 2D barcodes include QR codes and Data Matrix codes. Each type has different data capacity, character set support, and industry use cases.
1D barcodes store data in a single row of vertical lines and typically hold 8 to 25 characters. 2D barcodes store data in both horizontal and vertical patterns and can hold up to several thousand characters. 1D barcodes require a laser scanner while 2D barcodes can be read by camera-based scanners and smartphones.
A SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) is an alphanumeric code you create internally to identify a product variant. A barcode is a scannable visual representation of a number, often a UPC or EAN assigned by GS1. A single product can have both a SKU for internal tracking and a barcode for point-of-sale scanning.
For retail products sold in North America, use UPC-A (12 digits). For products sold internationally, use EAN-13 (13 digits). For shipping cartons and cases, use ITF-14. For internal warehouse labeling where you need alphanumeric data, use Code-128.
Generate barcode images using a barcode generator tool in PNG, SVG, or JPEG format. Print them on adhesive labels using a thermal label printer (such as Zebra or DYMO) or a standard laser printer with label sheets. Ensure the barcode is at least 80% of its nominal size and has adequate quiet zones on each side.
No. Each unique product and variant must have its own barcode number. Using the same barcode for different products causes scanning errors at point of sale and inventory count inaccuracies. Different sizes, colors, or configurations of the same product each need a distinct barcode.
A QR (Quick Response) code is a 2D barcode that can store URLs, text, contact information, or other data up to about 4,000 characters. Use QR codes when you need to link to a web page, encode more data than a 1D barcode allows, or enable scanning with a smartphone camera. They are commonly used on marketing materials, product packaging, and digital menus.
EAN-13 holds exactly 13 numeric digits. UPC-A holds 12 numeric digits. EAN-8 holds 8 numeric digits. UPC-E holds 8 numeric digits in compressed form. Code-128 holds up to 80 alphanumeric characters. Code-39 holds up to 43 alphanumeric characters. ITF-14 holds exactly 14 numeric digits.
You need a GS1 license if you sell products through retail stores or major online marketplaces that require UPC or EAN barcodes. GS1 assigns a company prefix that ensures your barcode numbers are globally unique. For internal-only use within your own warehouse, you can create barcodes without a GS1 license using Code-128 or Code-39 formats.
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