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Free Barcode Generator — Format Guide and Tool
If you have ever tried to find a barcode tool that genuinely works for retail packaging, FBA shipments, or warehouse labels without creating an account or hitting a download wall — this is it. BatchPrintGTIN generates barcodes in every major format directly in your browser. Your data stays on your device. There is no subscription tier; the tool is funded by advertising.
This page covers every supported barcode format and when to use each. If you already know your format and just need to generate, open the generator here.
Choosing the Right Barcode Format
The format you need depends entirely on where the barcode will be scanned. Retail point-of-sale, supply chain receiving docks, healthcare dispensing systems, and library circulation desks all expect different formats. Using the wrong one costs time and occasionally money — a distributor can reject an entire pallet over a format mismatch.
| Format | Digits / Characters | Primary Use | Who Issues Numbers |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPC-A | 12 numeric | Retail product, North America | GS1 US / GS1 Canada |
| EAN-13 | 13 numeric | Retail product, international | Local GS1 organisation |
| EAN-8 | 8 numeric | Small packaging, international | Local GS1 organisation |
| Code 128 | Up to 48 alphanumeric | Shipping, logistics, inventory | Your own system |
| Code 39 | Uppercase + digits | Automotive, defence, healthcare legacy | Your own system |
| ITF-14 | 14 numeric | Carton and case labelling | GS1 (derived from product GTIN) |
| QR Code | Up to 4,296 characters | URLs, WiFi, contact cards, menus | None required |
| Data Matrix | Up to 2,335 characters | Pharmaceutical, electronics, small parts | None required |
| PDF417 | Up to 1,800 characters | Driver licences, boarding passes, documents | None required |
Retail Barcodes: UPC-A and EAN-13
For any product intended for retail sale, you need either UPC-A (12 digits, North America) or EAN-13 (13 digits, international). Both require a GS1 Company Prefix — a number block registered to your business through GS1 US or your local GS1 organisation. The generator creates the barcode image from the GTIN you provide; it does not issue numbers.
A practical note: every UPC-A is a valid EAN-13 with a leading zero prepended. If you have a 12-digit UPC and need to list on a European marketplace, add a zero at the front. The check digit remains correct.
Logistics and Inventory Barcodes: Code 128
Code 128 is the right choice whenever your data contains letters, when you need to encode SKUs like SHIRT-BLU-LG-001, or when you are producing shipping labels, asset tags, or work-order travellers. Unlike UPC-A, Code 128 requires no GS1 registration — you define the data. The format encodes the full ASCII character set at high density, which is why FedEx, UPS, and most warehouse management systems default to it.
A Code 128 barcode for a 20-character SKU will be roughly 35–45mm wide at standard density — narrow enough to fit on a 1×2.5 inch label with room for a human-readable line below.
Case and Carton Barcodes: ITF-14
If you ship cases to a distributor or retailer's warehouse, the outer carton needs an ITF-14 barcode. This is a 14-digit number formed by prepending a packaging indicator digit (1–8) to your product's GTIN-13. ITF-14 is printed directly on corrugated cardboard, which is why it uses wide bars — corrugated surfaces scatter narrow bars. Minimum print size for ITF-14 is 142mm wide × 32mm tall at 100% nominal.
Batch Generation from a Spreadsheet
If you have more than a handful of barcodes to create, use the Batch Generator tab rather than the single-barcode tool. Prepare a CSV with one value per row, upload it, select your format, and download the full set as a ZIP of individual files or a multi-page PDF. A catalogue of 500 products typically processes in under 30 seconds on a modern laptop.
The generator accepts both CSV and Excel files (.xlsx). Column mapping is done at upload — you select which column contains the barcode value and which contains the label text. Additional columns are ignored.
QR Codes and 2D Formats
QR codes are the correct choice for any consumer-facing application where a smartphone is the scanner. For product packaging that links to a landing page, for restaurant table cards, for WiFi access in a waiting room, or for event check-in — QR. Data Matrix is used in pharmaceutical and aerospace applications where a very small 2D code must carry significant data. PDF417 appears on driver licences, airline boarding passes, and some government documents.
All 2D formats are generated in the QR Code tab. Error correction level H (30% redundancy) is recommended for printed materials that may get scuffed, wet, or partially obscured.
Download Formats: PNG, SVG, and PDF
PNG is suitable for web listings, digital assets, and basic label printing. SVG is the correct choice for packaging artwork files — it is vector format and scales without quality loss at any print size. PDF is generated through the Page Designer, which handles label sheet layout (Avery 5160, 5163, A4, custom) and positions each barcode on the page for direct printing.
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