Barcode generator

Generating an EAN or UPC barcode

Enter the digits and the barcode is drawn as you type. Three formats are covered: EAN-13 for retail goods in Europe, EAN-8 for packaging too small to carry a full code, and UPC-A for the US and Canada.

You do not have to know the check digit. Enter the code one digit short and the tool works it out from the checksum — the same modulo-10 calculation every scanner performs to spot a misread.

Download the result as SVG for print or PNG for the web. The SVG is vector, so it scales to any size without losing the crisp edges a scanner needs.

Frequently asked questions

Can I invent my own barcode?

For internal use, yes: prefixes 200–299 are reserved for a retailer's own codes and never clash with a manufacturer's. For anything sold on, the prefix has to be assigned by GS1, otherwise the code may already belong to someone else.

What does the prefix say about the country?

It says where the manufacturer registered the prefix, not where the goods were made. A 859 code means a Czech GS1 membership even if the product was made elsewhere.

Why does the printed code sometimes not scan?

Usually size, contrast or the quiet zone. A barcode needs a clear margin each side, dark bars on a light background and no scaling below about 80 % of nominal. Always test a print with a real scanner.

Is the code uploaded anywhere?

No. The bars are drawn in your browser and the download is generated there too, so an unreleased product code never leaves your computer.