Barcodes and product labels
How to generate a barcode
Choose a barcode format that matches the receiving system, enter a valid value, generate the symbol, and test the exported image before using it.
Open the Barcode GeneratorQuick answer: Use Code 128 for flexible internal labels, Code 39 for compatible uppercase identifiers, and EAN or UPC only when you already have the correctly assigned retail number.
Choose the right barcode format
A barcode is a machine-readable representation of a value. The format determines which characters are allowed and how scanners interpret the bars.
| Format | Best suited to | ToolPixels input |
|---|---|---|
| Code 128 | Inventory, assets and shipping labels | Printable ASCII, up to 80 characters |
| Code 39 | Short uppercase identifiers | Uppercase letters, digits, spaces and supported punctuation |
| EAN-13 | Retail items using an assigned EAN | 12 digits, or 13 including the check digit |
| EAN-8 | Small packages using an assigned EAN-8 | 7 digits, or 8 including the check digit |
| UPC-A | Retail items using an assigned UPC | 11 digits, or 12 including the check digit |
Generating a scannable graphic does not assign a retail product number. For a checkout system, obtain the number through the appropriate standards body and follow the retailer's requirements.
Generate the barcode step by step
- Open the free Barcode Generator and select the required format.
- Enter the exact value. Preserve leading zeros in EAN and UPC values.
- Choose the bar width and height. Start with the defaults unless the label specification says otherwise.
- Select Generate barcode. Fix any validation message before exporting.
- Download PNG for common document or label workflows, or SVG when you need clean scaling.
For an internal Code 128 example, try TOOLPIXELS-123. Do not add spaces or punctuation unless they are part of the identifier you intend to scan.
Check digits and valid values
EAN and UPC use a final check digit calculated from the preceding digits. When you enter 12 digits for EAN-13, 7 for EAN-8, or 11 for UPC-A, the generator calculates that final digit. If you supply the full length, it verifies the digit and rejects a mismatch.
A check digit catches many typing and scanning errors, but it does not prove that a product number is registered or belongs to a particular item.
Make the result reliably scannable
- Keep the entire barcode visible, including the blank quiet space around the bars.
- Use dark bars on a light background and avoid stretching the image after export.
- Print at the size expected by the scanner and label specification.
- Test the final printed label with the scanners that will actually read it.
- Keep a human-readable identifier nearby when the workflow requires manual fallback.
Bar height can improve handling when a scanner crosses the label at an angle. Increasing bar width makes the complete symbol wider, so confirm that it still fits without being cropped.
Common questions
Can I turn any text into a barcode?
Code 128 accepts a broad printable ASCII range. EAN and UPC accept fixed-length digits, while Code 39 accepts a smaller character set.
Should I download PNG or SVG?
PNG is convenient at a known size. SVG remains crisp when scaled in compatible design and print software. In either case, avoid changing the barcode's proportions.
Is the value uploaded?
No. The ToolPixels generator processes the value in your browser and does not upload or save it.