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What Is a Barcode?
A barcode is a machine-readable representation of data using parallel lines (1D barcodes) or patterns of squares (2D barcodes). First used commercially in 1974 to scan grocery items, barcodes are now ubiquitous in retail, logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing for tracking products, inventory, and shipments.
Common 1D barcode formats include CODE128 (general purpose), EAN-13 (European retail), UPC-A (US retail), CODE39 (industrial), and ITF-14 (shipping cartons). Each format has specific rules about which characters are allowed and how data is encoded into bar widths.
How Barcode Generation Works
Our barcode generator uses the JsBarcode library to create standards-compliant barcodes from your input data.
- Format selection — choose from CODE128, EAN-13, UPC-A, CODE39, ITF-14, and other standard barcode formats
- Customization — adjust bar width, height, colors, font size, and whether to display the text value below the barcode
- Export — download the barcode as a high-resolution PNG image or scalable SVG file for print or digital use
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Generate a Barcode →When To Use Barcode Generation
Barcodes are essential whenever you need machine-readable product or item identification.
- Product labeling — create EAN-13 or UPC-A barcodes for retail products, packaging, and shelf labels
- Inventory management — generate CODE128 or CODE39 barcodes for internal inventory tracking and warehouse operations
- Shipping and logistics — create ITF-14 barcodes for shipping cartons and pallets in the supply chain
Frequently Asked Questions
What barcode format should I use?
It depends on your use case. CODE128 is the most versatile and can encode any ASCII character — use it for general-purpose labels and internal tracking. EAN-13 is the international standard for retail products. UPC-A is used for retail products in the United States and Canada. CODE39 is common in non-retail industrial applications. ITF-14 is specifically designed for shipping cartons.
What is the difference between 1D and 2D barcodes?
1D barcodes (like CODE128 and EAN-13) encode data in the widths and spacing of parallel lines. They typically store 10-30 characters. 2D barcodes (like QR codes and Data Matrix) encode data in both horizontal and vertical patterns, storing much more information — up to several thousand characters. This generator focuses on 1D barcode formats.
Can I use generated barcodes commercially?
The barcode images generated by this tool are free to use for any purpose, including commercial use. However, if you need EAN or UPC barcodes for retail products, you must obtain a valid GS1 company prefix and register your product numbers through GS1 — the barcode image itself is just a visual encoding of your registered number.