Shop stock
Label your own SKUs so billing is a quick scan.
Barcode generator
Type a product code, SKU or invoice number to get a Code 128 barcode you can print on labels.
Where it helps
Warehouses
Mark shelves, bins and cartons for faster stock counts.
Couriers and orders
Print order or invoice numbers as barcodes on slips.
Good to know
Nothing is stored
What you type is used to build this one page and isn't saved.
Not for retail packs
Products sold in other shops need GS1 EAN-13 codes.
Test before printing
Scan one label with your own scanner first.
Questions people ask
How do you make a barcode for your products for free?
Type a product code, SKU or invoice number, up to 48 characters of letters, digits, spaces and symbols, and choose whether to print the text under the bars. You get a Code 128 barcode as an SVG image that scales without blurring. Download it and print it on labels, shelf tags, invoices or courier slips.
- Code 128 Barcode type. Read by almost every scanner.
- 48 Characters. Letters and digits.
- SVG Sharp at any size. Scales cleanly.
- Not EAN Retail packs. Need GS1 India.
Which barcode type is this?
Code 128. Almost every handheld and USB scanner reads it, and it takes letters, numbers and symbols. Number-only codes are packed two digits at a time so the barcode stays short. It's the standard choice for internal labels, shipping and invoices. It needs no registration.
Can I use this as an EAN barcode on retail packs?
No. EAN-13 numbers for products sold in shops are issued by GS1 India, the official body, and supermarkets and marketplaces check them. Code 128 is for your own use: SKUs, shelf labels, invoices and courier slips inside your business. GS1 India issues the numbers after you register with them.
What size should I print it?
SVG scales without blurring. Keep the white space on both sides and print it at least 3 cm wide for short codes; longer codes need more width. Test with your own scanner first. Thermal label printers give the sharpest results for small labels. Bigger is safer.
Why keep white space around the barcode?
Scanners need a clear quiet zone on both sides to find where the barcode starts and ends. If the bars run into a border, text or the label edge, scanning fails. The generated image includes this space, so don't crop it when placing the barcode on a label.
What should I encode?
Usually your own SKU or item code, such as SHIRT-BL-M or 100245, which your billing software recognises. Keep codes short and consistent, because shorter codes make smaller barcodes that scan more reliably. Don't encode prices, which change over time. Plan your SKU codes before printing labels.
Should I print the text under the bars?
Yes, in most cases. The human-readable text lets staff type the code by hand if a label is damaged or a scanner fails. Turn it off only when space is very tight or the code shouldn't be visible to customers, such as some internal references.
How do I use barcodes for billing?
Add each item's code to your billing software, print barcode labels for your stock and scan them at the counter. Billing becomes faster and typing mistakes disappear. Marketiism has a point of sale screen that works with ordinary USB barcode scanners. It also prints label sheets.
Can I print many barcodes at once?
This generator makes one barcode at a time. For a few items, download each SVG and arrange them on a label sheet. For hundreds of products, use billing or label software that prints barcode labels in bulk from your item list. Marketiism prints label sheets too.
Which printer should I use?
A thermal label printer is best for stickers, because it prints sharp bars on adhesive labels. An ordinary laser printer works for sheets of labels or paper tags. Inkjet prints can blur at small sizes, so test scanning before you print a full batch. Test first.
Can I use the barcode on invoices?
Yes. Printing the invoice or order number as a barcode lets your team scan it when packing or matching payments. Download the SVG and place it in your invoice template, or print it on the packing slip that goes with the order. It speeds up packing.
What is the difference between a barcode and a QR code?
A barcode stores a short code in one line of bars and needs a scanner. A QR code stores more data, such as a link or a UPI payment request, and phones read it with the camera. Use barcodes for stock and QR codes for customers.
Why won't my barcode scan?
Common causes are printing too small, blurred bars, a cropped quiet zone, low contrast such as grey on brown, or a glossy surface reflecting light. Print larger, in black on white, and test with the scanner you'll actually use at the counter. Clean the scanner window too.
Is anything I type stored?
No. The barcode is built for this one request and isn't saved. There's no sign-up. You can make as many barcodes as you like for your SKUs, invoices or courier slips, and download each one as an SVG file to keep. No account is needed.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. Type the code on your phone and download the SVG. Printing labels usually happens from a computer connected to a label printer, but you can make and save barcodes on your phone and send them to that computer later. No app is needed. Test scans first.
Is the barcode generator free?
Yes. It's free with no sign-up and no limit. It's one of the free business tools from Marketiism. Marketiism, our paid software, adds stock tracking, a point of sale screen with barcode scanning and GST billing for shops. Use it as often as you need.
Want this inside your own account?
Marketiism keeps your invoice numbers, GST reports, UPI payment links and WhatsApp reminders in one place. Leave your details and we'll call to set it up for your business, or start the trial yourself.
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