Code 128 barcode generator

Why Code 128 is the default for internal labels

Code 128 encodes all 128 ASCII characters: upper and lower case letters, digits and punctuation. It is also compact, because runs of digits are packed two to a symbol, and it has a built-in check character, so a damaged label is rejected rather than misread. Every handheld scanner, stock app and shipping system reads it. If nobody has told you which barcode to use, use this one.

It is not a retail product barcode. Shop tills look for EAN or UPC numbers, so for products going on a shelf you need EAN-13 or UPC-A instead.

Code 128 or Code 39?

Code 39 is older and only handles upper-case letters, digits and a few symbols. Its bars are wider, so the same text makes a barcode roughly one and a half to two times as long. Choose Code 39 only if an existing system requires it.

Keeping it scannable

• Shorter values make shorter barcodes. Drop prefixes that every label shares if your system allows it.
• Leave blank space on both sides of the bars (the quiet zone); the download includes a margin for this. Don’t crop it off.
• On small labels, lower Bar width rather than squeezing the image, which can merge thin bars.

Questions