There are dozens of barcode symbologies in use around the world. Each one encodes data differently and serves a specific industry or purpose. Here is everything you need to know about the formats our barcode generator supports.
Linear barcodes store data in a single row of vertical bars and spaces. The width and spacing of each bar represents a character. These barcodes have been the backbone of retail and logistics since the 1970s when the first UPC barcode was scanned at a supermarket in Ohio.
Code 128 is the most versatile barcode format available. It can encode all 128 ASCII characters, which means it handles uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols. This makes Code 128 the go to choice for almost any situation where you need a barcode.
You will find Code 128 on shipping labels, warehouse shelving tags, healthcare specimen labels, and internal inventory systems. Its compact size and high data density make it efficient for labels where space is limited.
UPC-A (Universal Product Code) is the 12 digit barcode printed on virtually every retail product sold in the United States and Canada. When a cashier scans an item at checkout, they are reading a UPC-A barcode that links to the product's price and description in the store's database.
If you sell physical products through Amazon, Walmart, Target, or any other major retailer, you need a UPC barcode. The number itself must be obtained from GS1 , the global organization that manages product identification standards.
EAN-13 (European Article Number) is the international equivalent of UPC-A. It uses 13 digits and is the standard barcode for retail products sold outside of North America. Every product sold in Europe, Asia, South America, and most other regions carries an EAN-13 barcode.
Fun fact: a UPC-A barcode is actually a subset of EAN-13. Any scanner that reads EAN-13 can also read UPC-A. If you sell internationally, EAN-13 is the format you need. Numbers are assigned through GS1 member organizations in each country.
EAN-8 is the compact version of EAN-13, designed for products too small to carry a full size barcode. At just 8 digits, it produces a barcode roughly half the width of EAN-13. You will find EAN-8 on items like individual candy bars, lip balm tubes, and small cosmetic products where label space is extremely limited.
Code 39 is one of the oldest barcode formats still in active use. It encodes uppercase letters (A through Z), numbers (0 through 9), and a few special characters. The U.S. Department of Defense adopted Code 39 in the 1980s for marking all military equipment, and it remains widely used in government, automotive, and defense industries today.
Code 39 is also popular for employee ID badges, library books, and name tags. Its main limitation is low data density compared to Code 128, so barcodes tend to be wider for the same amount of data.
ITF-14 (Interleaved 2 of 5) is a 14 digit barcode built specifically for shipping cartons, cases, and pallets. The thick bars and generous spacing are designed to be printed directly on corrugated cardboard, even with low quality printing processes. The barcode often appears inside a rectangular "bearer bar" frame that protects it from edge damage.
If you ship products in cases or cartons and need a barcode that scanners can read reliably on rough surfaces, ITF-14 is your format.
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Two dimensional barcodes store data in both horizontal and vertical directions, packing far more information into a smaller space. They also include error correction, which means they can still be read even if part of the barcode is damaged, dirty, or partially covered.
QR (Quick Response) codes were invented in 1994 by Denso Wave, a Japanese automotive parts company that needed a barcode capable of holding more data than traditional 1D formats. Today, QR codes are the most widely recognized 2D barcode in the world.
A QR code can store up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters and is scannable by any modern smartphone camera. The three large square patterns in the corners (called finder patterns) let scanners detect and orient the code instantly, even at an angle. QR codes support multiple data types including URLs, WiFi credentials, vCard contacts, calendar events, and plain text.
Data Matrix barcodes are designed for marking very small items. They can be as tiny as 2mm x 2mm while still being readable by industrial scanners. The electronics industry uses Data Matrix codes on individual components like resistors and integrated circuits. Healthcare organizations use them on surgical instruments, medication vials, and lab samples for tracking.
Data Matrix is also the format required by the U.S. FDA for unique device identification (UDI) on medical devices. If you work in electronics or healthcare manufacturing, this is likely the format you need.
PDF417 is a stacked barcode format that stores data across multiple rows. It can hold up to 1,850 alphanumeric characters, which is enough to encode an entire paragraph of text, a digital photograph, or a set of biometric data. This high capacity makes PDF417 the format of choice for identity documents.
You will find PDF417 on the back of your driver's license, on airline boarding passes, and on government issued identification. The format includes built in error correction, so even a slightly damaged barcode will still scan correctly.
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The most common question people ask when using a barcode generator is whether they need a traditional barcode or a QR code. The answer depends on what you are encoding and how it will be scanned.
| 1D Barcode | QR Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Data capacity | Up to ~80 characters | Up to 4,296 characters |
| Data types | Numbers and text only | URLs, WiFi, contacts, email, text, and more |
| Scanning | Laser scanner or camera | Any smartphone camera |
| Error correction | None (must be fully intact) | Built in (works even if partially damaged) |
| Size efficiency | Wide and narrow (horizontal only) | Compact square shape |
| Best for | Product labels, inventory, shipping | Website links, WiFi, business cards, menus |
| Common formats | UPC-A, EAN-13, Code 128, Code 39 | QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF417 |
| Industry adoption | Retail, logistics, manufacturing since 1974 | Marketing, hospitality, payments since 2010s |
Quick rule: if the barcode will be scanned by a handheld scanner at a point of sale or warehouse, use a 1D barcode. If customers or visitors will scan it with their phone, use a QR code.
A barcode is a machine readable representation of data. The data is encoded as a pattern of parallel bars (dark lines) and spaces (light gaps) of varying widths. When a scanner reads a barcode, it shines a light across the bars and measures the reflections. Dark bars absorb the light while light spaces reflect it. The scanner converts these patterns of reflection into electrical signals, which are decoded back into the original text or number.
Different barcode formats use different encoding schemes. In Code 128, for example, each character is represented by a specific combination of three bars and three spaces within a fixed width module. UPC-A uses a similar principle but with a fixed 12 digit structure optimized for retail scanning speed.
QR codes work differently. Instead of bars and spaces, they use a grid of dark and light squares (called modules). A QR code scanner captures an image of the entire grid and processes it as a two dimensional pattern. The three finder patterns (the large squares in the corners) let the scanner determine the orientation and size of the code, even if the phone is held at an angle.
Barcode standards exist so that any scanner, anywhere in the world, can read any barcode of the same format. The organization responsible for maintaining these standards is GS1 , a global nonprofit with offices in over 100 countries.
GS1 manages the numbering systems behind UPC and EAN barcodes. When a company wants to sell products at retail, they apply for a GS1 company prefix. This prefix becomes the first part of every UPC or EAN barcode that company creates, ensuring no two products in the world share the same number.
Our barcode generator creates the visual barcode image from whatever data you provide. It does not assign or validate GS1 numbers. If you need a unique product identification number for retail, visit gs1.org/standards/get-barcodes to get started. Once you have your number, come back here to generate the barcode image for free.
Generate barcodes or QR codes for free. No software to install, no account to create.
Open the barcode generator or QR code generator and select the format you need. Not sure? Code 128 works for almost everything. UPC-A is the standard for retail products.
Type your product number, text, URL, or WiFi credentials. The barcode or QR code generates instantly in your browser. Customize colors if needed using the color picker.
Download as PNG for digital use or SVG for print. SVG barcodes scale to any size without losing quality, making them ideal for product labels, packaging, and large format printing.
From small Etsy sellers to Fortune 500 warehouses, barcodes and QR codes are essential tools across every industry. Here is how different businesses use our free barcode maker.
Generate UPC-A barcodes for products sold in stores, on Amazon, or on Shopify. Every physical product sold at retail needs a scannable barcode on its packaging. Small businesses use our free UPC barcode generator to create labels without expensive software.
Create Code 128 or Code 39 barcodes for tracking stock, parts, and equipment. Print labels and scan them with any handheld scanner. Warehouse managers use bulk barcode generation to label entire shipments at once.
Generate ITF-14 barcodes for shipping cartons or Code 128 for package tracking numbers. Scannable shipping labels keep your supply chain organized from warehouse to doorstep.
Create QR codes that link to your digital menu, WiFi network, or reservation page. Place them on tables, at the front door, or on receipts. Guests scan with their phone camera instead of handling physical menus.
Hospitals use Data Matrix barcodes on patient wristbands, medication packaging, and lab samples. Scanning prevents mix-ups and improves patient safety. The FDA requires unique device identification (UDI) barcodes on all medical devices.
Track parts, assemblies, and finished goods through the production line with Code 128 or Data Matrix barcodes. Each barcode links a physical item to your manufacturing execution system for full traceability.
Every barcode generates in your browser. Your data never touches a server. Nothing is stored or logged.
No loading spinners. No server round trips. Click Generate and your barcode is ready to download.
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Everything you need to know about our free barcode generator and QR code maker.