Barcode Generator (Code128)

Turn a text of letters and numbers into a scannable Code128 barcode.

With Barcode Generator, you get the answer instantly instead of calculating or looking it up by hand. Barcode Generator brings a small but genuinely useful tool together on a single page. Everything runs in your browser — your file or text is never uploaded to a server.

Step-by-step

Type the code you want to encode into the Text (letters/numbers) field. It could be a stock number, a shelf location or an asset tag.
Stick to standard characters. Code128 encodes ASCII, so accented or non-Latin letters won't work.
Click Run and look over the barcode that appears in the result area.
Before you put it on a label, scan it off the screen with a barcode app on your phone and confirm the text matches what you typed.

Example

A small workshop wants to label supply boxes in its storeroom. Each box gets a code like SHELF-B3-0042 that encodes its shelf and position. The code goes into the text field, the barcode is generated and printed on label stock. During stocktaking, scanning a box with a handheld reader or phone app drops the exact code into the list, with none of the mix-ups that come from typing codes by hand. Since Code128 handles letters, digits and symbols like hyphens together, it's a good fit for internal codes like this.

When is it useful?

It's handy whenever you need barcodes for internal tracking: warehouse shelves, equipment tags, internal reference numbers on parcels, archive boxes. If the code only has to match your own records and scanner, and no outside system needs to recognize it, Code128 is a simple choice.

Barcode types

A barcode shows information as lines that machines can read. In retail EAN-13 and UPC-A are common; Code 128 is frequently used in warehousing and logistics. This tool produces a Code 128 (subset B) barcode: with letters, digits and common symbols it suits internal labels, inventory or file tracking, and downloads as a PNG.

When creating a barcode

The tool does not produce EAN-13 or UPC; it cannot be used for products sold in shops. For commercial products official numbers are obtained through GS1.
In print keep the blank area around the barcode (quiet zone).
Dark bars should be printed with high contrast on a light background.
After printing, test it by scanning with a reader or a phone app.

Things to keep in mind

Don't use this for products sold in shops. Retail items need an EAN or UPC barcode built from numbers assigned by GS1.
Leave the blank white margin on both sides of the barcode. Scanners use it to find where the code starts and ends.
Shrinking a barcode too much makes the bars blur together. Longer text produces a wider barcode, so keep codes short for small labels.
Light print on a dark background, or glossy surfaces that reflect light, are harder to scan. Black on white is the safest choice.