Barcodes are essential for inventory management, logistics, retail and product labeling. Generating a barcode online allows creating labels without dedicated software, to prototype a product, test a scanning system or generate internal labels.
There are many barcode symbologies depending on use cases. EAN-13 (European Article Number) is the global standard for consumer goods sold in stores: 13 digits including a check digit. Code 128 is versatile and compact, used in logistics and supply chain. Code 39 is readable by all scanners but less dense. QR Code is the most widespread 2D format, capable of encoding URLs, text and complex data.
📐 Formula
EAN-13 check digit = 10 - [(weighted sum of first 12 digits) mod 10]
📊 Reference table
| Symbology | Encoded data | Main use | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| EAN-13 | 13 digits | Consumer goods | Fixed |
| EAN-8 | 8 digits | Small products | Fixed |
| Code 128 | Full ASCII | Logistics, parcels | Variable |
| Code 39 | A-Z, 0-9, symbols | Industry, healthcare | Variable |
| ITF-14 | 14 digits | Boxes, cartons | Fixed |
| QR Code | Up to 4,296 chars | URLs, text, contacts | Variable |
💡 Practical examples
Example 1: create an EAN-13 barcode for a product
Enter your first 12 digits (first 3 = GS1 country prefix, e.g. 000 for US). The tool automatically calculates the check digit and generates the EAN-13. Minimum print size: 37.29 × 26.26 mm.
Example 2: Code 128 for warehouse labels
Encode your internal reference number (e.g. REF-2025-001234) in Code 128. Print on Dymo or Zebra labels. Scan with any laser reader or smartphone camera.
Example 3: verify barcode readability
After generation, always test the barcode with a physical scanner or mobile app (Barcode Scanner, Cognex) before launching a mass print run.