Free Barcode Generator — EAN-13 & Code 128
Create EAN-13 and Code 128 barcodes as sharp PNG images, ready to print on labels.
Download a black-on-white PNG with the number printed underneath. EAN-13 follows the international standard and works with ordinary checkout scanners and stock systems; Code 128 suits your own internal codes. Make as many as you like — your codes are never sent to a server.
How to create a barcode (3 steps)
- Choose the format: EAN-13 (a 13-digit product number) or Code 128 (letters and numbers).
- Enter your product code or text and pick a size.
- Generate and download the PNG for your label or sticker.
Code 128 or EAN-13: choose by the job
- Code 128 — English letters, digits and basic symbols (no Thai or other non-Latin scripts). For in-store product codes, parcel and document numbers, and asset tags. You make up the codes yourself.
- EAN-13 — 12–13 digits only. For products sold through retail chains and convenience stores. Numbers must be obtained from GS1.
- Both can be read by ordinary barcode scanners.
In short: inside your own shop or organization, use Code 128. Products going onto retail shelves need a properly issued EAN-13.
Common EAN-13 misunderstandings
- You can't make up the number — the first three digits are a country prefix, followed by a company code you must register for. An invented number may scan, but retailers won't accept it.
- The last digit is a check digit — calculated from the first 12. Enter 12 and the tool adds it; enter 13 with a wrong last digit and you'll be told it's invalid.
- The printed number must match the bars — the tool adds it automatically. Don't edit it afterwards in an image editor.
Size, height and printing so it scans
- Bar height — small for little items or documents, large for labels scanned often or from a distance. Taller bars read better when the scanner is tilted.
- Don't shrink until lines blur — scanners rely on each line's width. The PNG is high-resolution; print at actual size or larger.
- Black on white only — colors or patterns confuse scanners. The image comes black on white with a white border; don't crop it off.
- Test first — print one sheet and scan it with a phone barcode app before a big run.
Common uses
- Shop price labels — your own Code 128 codes, used with your point-of-sale software.
- Office asset tags — label laptops, chairs and printers for stock-taking.
- Document numbers on forms — scan to identify a document instantly instead of typing.
- Products for retailers or marketplaces — print your registered EAN-13 numbers as stickers.
- Warehouse shelf labels — large barcodes that can be scanned from further away.
FAQ
How many digits does EAN-13 need?
Enter 12 digits and the tool calculates the check digit for you, or enter all 13.
How is Code 128 different from EAN-13?
Code 128 takes letters and numbers of variable length, for internal codes like parcel or membership numbers. EAN-13 is the standard retail product number.
Where do official EAN numbers come from?
Retail EAN-13 numbers are issued by GS1 when you register as a member. This tool draws the barcode for numbers you've been assigned.
If I enter 12 digits, does it add the 13th?
Yes. If you enter all 13, the tool checks the last digit and asks you to fix it if it's wrong.
What file do I get, and can I print it straight away?
A PNG on a white background with the number under the bars. Print at actual size or larger, and don't crop off the white border.
Do I need to request numbers for use in my own shop?
No. Use Code 128 and set your own codes. Only products for retail chains or large platforms need a registered EAN-13.