Which barcode format should I use?
- Code 128 — the all-rounder. Encodes letters, numbers and symbols. Best for internal labels, inventory, shipping and asset tags.
- EAN-13 — the standard retail barcode in India, Europe and most of the world. 13 digits.
- UPC-A — the retail barcode used mainly in the US and Canada. 12 digits.
- EAN-8 — a shorter retail code for very small packages.
- Code 39 — an older format still used in automotive, defence and some ID badges.
- ITF-14 — for outer cartons and cases in warehouses.
Important: retail barcodes need registered numbers
You can generate any EAN or UPC barcode here, but to sell products in retail stores and on most marketplaces, the number must be assigned to your company by GS1 (in India, GS1 India). Made-up numbers may clash with other products and can be rejected by retailers. For internal use — stock, assets, shelves — any Code 128 value is fine.
Printing tips
- Download SVG for print — it stays sharp at any size.
- Keep bars black (or very dark) on a white background. Red bars are invisible to many scanners.
- Leave blank space (a quiet zone) on both sides of the barcode.
- Don't stretch the barcode unevenly — change the bar width setting instead.
Need a code that phones can scan to open a link? Use a QR code instead — or make many at once with the bulk QR generator.