Six formats
EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, CODE128, CODE39 and ITF-14.
Free tool
Barcode generator
Do you have products without a code and end up searching for them by name at the register? Create their barcodes in seconds, ready to print and scan.
Fast. Simple. Accurate. And best of all, free.
- No sign-up
- Your data never leaves your browser
Instructions
Choose the format and type the code. Add the product name if you like. The preview updates as you type.
Exact check digit
We calculate it or tell you if yours is wrong.
Private
Codes are created in your browser, no sign-up needed.
What is a barcode and which one does your business need?
A barcode stores a number that the scanner reads in a split second: you scan the product and its name and price appear, with no typing.
To sell in supermarket chains you need official EAN-13 codes from GS1 Colombiain your country. For your own products, bulk goods or stockroom, create yours here and start today.
With every product labeled, the register charges correctly and your inventory adds up.
Which one do you need?
EAN-13 for retail products (Colombian ones start with 770)(the prefix shows the country: 750 in Mexico, 775 in Peru, 780 in Chile), UPC-A in the United States, EAN-8 for small packages and ITF-14 for cases.
For internal use
CODE128 supports letters and numbers and takes up little space: ideal for products without a code, shelves or orders. Almost any scanner can read CODE39.
Check digit=Next multiple of ten − Sum of the digits × 3 and × 1, alternating from right to left
Tiendana Enseña tip
Start with your best sellers
You don't need to label your whole inventory in one day. Start with the 50 products that move the most: they take up the most time at the register, and that's where a price error repeats most often. Once those are ready, move on to the rest, one category at a time.
Before printing, set a rule for your internal codes—for example, the category plus a sequence number: BEB-0001 for beverages—and never reuse the code of a discontinued product. That way anyone on your team knows what they're scanning and your reports don't mix up different products.
Did you know?
The first product ever rung up by scanning a barcode was a pack of chewing gum, at a supermarket in Ohio (United States), in 1974. Today billions of codes are scanned every day around the world.
Step by step
How to create a barcode
Choose the format
CODE128 for internal codes, EAN-13 for supermarket products or ITF-14 for cases.
Type the code
Enter the number or text. In EAN, UPC and ITF-14 we calculate the check digit if you don't have it.
Adjust the design
Change the bar width, height and colors, and add the product name if you like.
Download and print
Download it as PNG or SVG, print it on your labels and test it with your scanner before sticking it on.
We answer your questions
Frequently asked questions
What type of barcode should I use for my products?
It depends on where they'll be sold. EAN-13 if the product goes to supermarkets or big-box stores, CODE128 for your business's internal codes and ITF-14 for cases that group several units.
Can I make up an EAN-13 code to sell in supermarkets?
No. Chains require codes assigned by GS1 Colombiain your country, which registers your company prefix; a made-up one could match another product's code. For internal use in your business you can create your own codes, preferably in CODE128.
What is a barcode's check digit?
It's the last number of the code and it's used to catch reading errors. It's calculated by multiplying the other digits by 3 and by 1 alternately, from right to left, and subtracting the sum from the next multiple of ten. This tool calculates and verifies it for you.
What's the difference between EAN-13 and UPC-A?
EAN-13 has 13 digits and is the standard in Colombia, Latin America and Europe; UPC-A has 12 and is used mainly in the United States and Canada. Today's scanners read both: a UPC-A is equivalent to an EAN-13 that starts with 0.
What format should I download the code in to print it on labels?
SVG if you're designing the label or printing large, because it's vector and stays sharp. PNG works for pasting into a document or sending by WhatsApp; use a bar width of 2 px or more.
What size should I print a barcode?
An EAN-13 measures about 37 × 26 mm at normal size and shouldn't be shrunk below 80 %, about 30 mm wide. Also keep the white margin on the sides: without it, the scanner can't find where the code starts.
Why won't the scanner read my barcode?
It's almost always low contrast, red or light bars, no white margin or a blurry print. Use black bars on a white background, leave clear space on the sides and don't print it smaller than needed.
Can a barcode include letters?
Yes, but only in alphanumeric formats: CODE128 supports letters, numbers and keyboard symbols, and CODE39 supports capital letters, numbers and some symbols. EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A and ITF-14 only support numbers.
Do I need a special scanner for these codes?
No. Any USB or Bluetooth barcode scanner reads them, and so does your phone's camera with a scanning app. Every format in this tool is linear, so even a basic laser scanner can read them.
Are the codes I generate sent to a server?
No. The bars are drawn in your browser, and the codes and names you type never leave your device. You don't need to sign up to download them either.
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Meet Tiendana
More than software: simplicity and growth for your business in one place.
