Barcode Generator
Generate EAN-13 and Code128 barcodes as SVG
How to use Barcode Generator
Generate EAN-13 and Code128 barcodes as scalable SVG. Download and use in your projects. Free online barcode generator tool.
What are barcodes used for?
Barcodes encode data as parallel lines of varying widths and spaces, readable by optical scanners. They are the backbone of modern retail, logistics, and inventory management — billions are scanned every day worldwide.
- Retail product labeling: EAN-13 (European Article Number) is the standard barcode on almost every retail product sold in Europe, Australia, and Asia. It encodes a 13-digit number that uniquely identifies the product and manufacturer.
- Inventory management: Small businesses use Code128 barcodes on their own inventory — generating custom barcodes for internal product tracking without needing a GS1 number.
- Document tracking: Offices, hospitals, and legal firms track documents using barcode labels — scan on receipt, scan on filing, scan on dispatch.
- Event tickets and passes: Generate barcodes for event tickets, membership cards, or employee badges for scanning at entry points.
- Shipping labels: Code128 encodes tracking numbers, postal codes, and routing information on shipping labels for domestic and international parcels.
EAN-13 vs Code128: EAN-13 is specifically for retail point-of-sale and requires a GS1-registered manufacturer code. Code128 is a general-purpose barcode that encodes any ASCII text — more flexible for custom applications not requiring GS1 compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between EAN-13 and UPC-A?
EAN-13 is the international standard (used everywhere except North America for domestic products). UPC-A is the US/Canada standard — it is actually a 12-digit subset of EAN-13 (add a leading zero to UPC-A to get the EAN-13 equivalent). Most modern scanners read both formats. Global products use EAN-13 for international compatibility.
Do I need to register with GS1 to generate barcodes?
For retail barcodes (EAN-13, UPC) that will be scanned at point-of-sale, yes — the manufacturer prefix must be officially registered with GS1 to guarantee uniqueness globally. For internal use (inventory, document tracking, events) where you control the scanners, you can generate any barcode without registration.
What is Code128 and when should I use it?
Code128 is a high-density barcode that encodes the full ASCII character set — letters, numbers, and symbols. It is the most versatile 1D barcode and is used for shipping labels (FedEx, UPS, USPS all use Code128), inventory systems, and any application needing to encode alphanumeric data without retail POS scanning.
What is the minimum size for a scannable barcode?
EAN-13 minimum: approximately 26mm × 20mm (at 80% of nominal size). Code128 minimum: about 10mm tall, with bar width ≥ 0.25mm. Smaller barcodes can be scanned with close-range dedicated scanners but not with typical handheld or omnidirectional scanners. SVG output scales without quality loss — print at any size.
What is the difference between 1D and 2D barcodes?
1D barcodes (EAN-13, Code128, Code39) encode data in one direction — horizontal lines. They store limited data (up to ~100 characters) and require a line-of-sight scanner. 2D barcodes (QR code, Data Matrix, PDF417) encode data in two dimensions — storing much more data (thousands of characters) and readable from any angle. Use 1D for retail/logistics; QR (2D) for URLs and consumer-facing applications.
EAN-13 vs Code128 vs QR code vs Data Matrix
EAN-13/UPC: retail POS scanning — requires GS1 registration for global use, encodes 13 digits. Code128: flexible alphanumeric encoding — shipping, inventory, internal systems. QR code: 2D, stores URLs and text, scanned by phone cameras — consumer-facing, marketing, contactless menus. Data Matrix: 2D, very compact, used in electronics manufacturing and pharmaceutical packaging where space is extremely limited. PDF417: 2D, used in ID cards, boarding passes — handles large data payloads. Choose based on: who scans (dedicated scanner vs phone), how much data, and what regulatory compliance applies.