StatusQueen's Barcode Generator creates linear barcodes from any text or numeric input — for free, with no watermark and no sign-up. Pick the right barcode type for your use case, type your data, and download a print-ready PNG, a JPG copy for image-only upload forms, or a scalable SVG.
Supported barcode types
- Code 128 — the safe default. Encodes any printable ASCII character with high density. Common in shipping labels and inventory.
- Code 128 A / B / C — the three Code 128 sub-modes. A for uppercase + control codes, B for full ASCII, C for digit-only pairs (highest density for numeric data).
- Code 39 — older industrial barcode. Uppercase letters, digits and a few symbols (
- . $ / + % * space). Less dense than Code 128 but very widely supported. - Code 93 — denser version of Code 39, full ASCII via shift codes.
- EAN-13 / EAN-8 — the European Article Number used on retail products. EAN-13 needs 12 or 13 digits, EAN-8 needs 7 or 8.
- UPC-A / UPC-E — Universal Product Code used in the US. UPC-A needs 11 or 12 digits; UPC-E is the compressed variant.
- ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5) — digit-only barcode used on shipping cartons. Always an even number of digits.
- Codabar — used in libraries, blood banks and air-bill applications. Digits, dash and a few symbols, with A-D start/stop characters.
- KIX — the Dutch postal barcode. Uppercase letters and digits.
Which type should I use?
- Generic identifiers, internal codes, URLs: use Code 128.
- Retail products at point of sale: use EAN-13 (Europe / international) or UPC-A (United States).
- Legacy industrial scanners: use Code 39 — the most universally readable older format.
- Shipping cartons / pallets: use ITF. The thicker bars print well on corrugated cardboard.
- Library books / blood-bank labels: use Codabar.
- Dutch addressed mail: use KIX.
How to generate a barcode
- Type the text or numbers you want to encode in the Barcode content field. The hint below the field shows what characters the chosen type allows.
- Pick a barcode type. The hint updates automatically when you change the type.
- Pick a size. Medium is the safe default; pick Large for posters or print-ready output.
- Click Generate barcode. The barcode appears below the form, with download links for PNG, JPG and SVG.
PNG vs JPG vs SVG — which to download
- PNG is the recommended default. It's a lossless raster image — every bar stays sharp, the file size is small, and any program that accepts an image will accept it.
- JPG is a lossy raster image. Useful when an upload form specifically requires JPG (some marketplace listings, older expense systems). We encode at quality 95 so bars stay crisp, but JPG can introduce subtle smudging on very thin bars at small sizes — pick PNG instead if scanning reliability matters.
- SVG is a vector image. Use it when you're printing the barcode at a specific size (especially large) or embedding it in a web page where you want it crisp at every resolution.
Privacy and security
Your input is processed on our server only long enough to render the barcode. The PNG, JPG and SVG outputs are kept for five minutes so you can download them, then automatically removed. We don't log barcode content or share it with anyone. For details, see our Privacy Policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What barcode types can I generate?
Code 128 (the default — encodes any printable ASCII), Code 128 A/B/C variants, Code 39, Code 93, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5), Codabar and KIX (Dutch postal). Each type has its own input rules — pick the right one for your use case.
Which barcode type should I use?
Code 128 is the safe default — it encodes any printable text and is widely scannable. Use EAN-13 or UPC-A for retail product codes, Code 39 for legacy industrial systems, ITF for shipping cartons, and Codabar for libraries or blood banks.
What download formats are available?
Every generated barcode is available as PNG (lossless raster — the recommended default), JPG (raster, useful when an upload form specifically rejects PNG) and SVG (vector, scales to any size without quality loss). Use SVG when you're printing or putting the barcode on a high-resolution display.
Is the Barcode Generator free?
Yes — completely free, no sign-up, no watermark, no daily limit. Generate as many barcodes as you like.
Why does my EAN-13 input fail?
EAN-13 needs exactly 12 digits (the encoder calculates the 13th check digit) or 13 digits (where you supply the check digit yourself). Letters, spaces, dashes and other characters aren't allowed in EAN/UPC codes.
Can the barcode be scanned from my phone?
Yes. Standard barcode scanner apps (Google Lens, your phone's camera in some regions, dedicated scanner apps) read every type listed above. For tiny barcodes, switch to the Large size before downloading.