Generate Professional Barcodes
Create barcodes in 9 formats including Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A, and more. Custom colors, instant export to PNG/SVG. 100% client-side.
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Code 128
General purpose, shipping, packaging
Barcode Format Guide
Code 128
General purpose, shipping, packaging
EAN-13
Retail products worldwide
EAN-8
Small retail items
UPC-A
US/Canada retail products
Code 39
Automotive, defense, healthcare
ITF-14
Shipping containers, pallets
MSI
Warehouse inventory, retail shelving
Pharmacode
Pharmaceutical industry
Codabar
Libraries, FedEx airbills, blood banks
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Why Use This Barcode Generator?
9 Barcode Formats
Generate Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 39, ITF-14, and more. Every format your business needs, with proper validation.
100% Client-Side
Your data never leaves your device. All barcodes are generated locally in your browser for complete privacy and security.
Full Customization
Custom colors, dimensions, margins, and font sizes. Export as high-resolution PNG or scalable SVG for any use case.
How to Generate Barcodes Online for Free
Filator's barcode generator creates professional, scannable barcodes in 9 different formats directly in your browser. Unlike server-based generators that upload your data, our tool processes everything client-side—your product codes, inventory numbers, and business data never leave your device.
Understanding Barcode Formats
Code 128 (Universal)
The most versatile barcode format, supporting all 128 ASCII characters including letters, numbers, and special symbols. Code 128 creates compact barcodes ideal for shipping labels, product packaging, and general inventory management. If you're unsure which format to use, Code 128 is the safest choice.
EAN-13 & EAN-8 (Retail)
The European Article Number format used by retailers worldwide. EAN-13 encodes 13 digits for standard products, while EAN-8 uses 8 digits for smaller items with limited packaging space. These barcodes are recognized by point-of-sale systems globally.
UPC-A (North American Retail)
The Universal Product Code standard used in the United States and Canada. UPC-A encodes 12 digits and is required for selling products in North American retail stores. It's fully compatible with EAN-13 systems.
Code 39 (Industrial)
An alphanumeric barcode widely used in automotive, defense, and healthcare industries. Code 39 supports uppercase letters, numbers, and a few special characters. It's self-checking, meaning errors can be detected without a check digit.
ITF-14 (Shipping & Logistics)
Designed specifically for shipping containers and outer cartons. ITF-14 (Interleaved 2 of 5) encodes 14 digits and is printed on corrugated cardboard. The format is tolerant of printing variations, making it reliable for logistics operations.
How to Create a Barcode
- 1. Enter your data — Type the text, numbers, or product code you want to encode. The character count updates in real-time.
- 2. Select a format — Choose from 9 barcode types based on your use case. Each format shows its valid characters and typical applications.
- 3. Customize appearance (optional) — Adjust colors, bar width, height, margins, and whether to show the text below the barcode.
- 4. Preview your barcode — The barcode generates instantly as you type and change settings. Check that it looks correct before downloading.
- 5. Download or copy — Export as high-resolution PNG for print or scalable SVG for any size. Copy SVG directly to clipboard for quick use.
Advanced Customization Options
- • Custom Colors: Change line color and background to match your branding (keep high contrast for reliable scanning)
- • Bar Width: Adjust from 1-5 pixels to control barcode density and size
- • Height: Set barcode height from 50-200 pixels for different label sizes
- • Margins: Control white space around the barcode (0-30 pixels)
- • Font Size: Adjust the text size below the barcode (10-24 pixels)
- • Show/Hide Text: Toggle whether the encoded value displays below the bars
- • Quick Presets: Start with pre-configured examples for common use cases
Common Use Cases
Retail Products
Use EAN-13 or UPC-A for products sold in stores. These formats are required by retailers and work with all POS systems.
Inventory Management
Code 128 or Code 39 for internal inventory tracking. Label shelves, bins, and products with unique identifiers.
Shipping Labels
ITF-14 for cartons and pallets, Code 128 for individual packages. Works with warehouse management systems.
Asset Tracking
Code 39 for equipment labels in manufacturing, IT asset tags, and library books. Alphanumeric support for readable codes.
Barcode Best Practices
- • Keep high contrast between bars and background (black on white is most reliable)
- • Include quiet zones (white space) around the barcode for scanners to detect edges
- • Test barcodes with a scanner before printing in bulk
- • Use SVG format for print materials to ensure crisp output at any size
- • Avoid placing barcodes on curved surfaces or over seams
Frequently Asked Questions
What barcode format should I use?
For retail products sold internationally, use EAN-13. For North American retail, use UPC-A. For general purpose (shipping, inventory, internal tracking), Code 128 is the most versatile. For shipping cartons and pallets, use ITF-14.
What's the difference between Code 128 and Code 39?
Code 128 supports all ASCII characters and produces more compact barcodes. Code 39 only supports uppercase letters, numbers, and a few symbols, but is self-checking and widely used in automotive and defense industries. Choose Code 128 for general use, Code 39 when industry standards require it.
Can I use custom colors?
Yes, you can customize both bar color and background color. However, for reliable scanning, maintain high contrast. Black bars on white background provides the best scanning performance. Avoid red bars as many scanners use red lasers that can't detect them.
Will my barcode work with scanners?
Yes, all barcodes generated follow official specifications for each format. They work with standard barcode scanners, POS systems, and mobile scanning apps. We recommend testing with your actual scanner before printing large quantities.
What's the best export format?
Use SVG for print materials—it scales to any size without losing quality. Use PNG for web use, digital documents, or when you need a standard image format. Our PNG exports are high-resolution (2x) for crisp printing.
Is my data secure?
Completely. All barcode generation happens in your browser using JavaScript. Your data is never uploaded to any server. This is especially important for sensitive product codes, inventory numbers, and proprietary data.
Do I need a GS1 number for retail barcodes?
Yes, for selling products in retail stores, you need a GS1 Company Prefix to generate valid EAN or UPC codes. Our generator creates the barcode image, but the numbers themselves must be obtained from GS1 to ensure uniqueness worldwide.
Is there a limit to how many barcodes I can generate?
No limits. Generate as many barcodes as you need, completely free. No signup required, no daily limits, no watermarks. Everything runs locally in your browser.