Barcodes
Which Barcode Do I Need? Types Explained for Business
A plain guide to barcode types: UPC, EAN, Code 128, GS1-128, ITF-14, Code 39, Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec and QR. Pick the right one in minutes.
There are dozens of barcode types, but most businesses only ever need a handful. Answer one question first: who will scan it?
Shoppers' checkout scanners
UPC-A (US and Canada) or EAN-13 (elsewhere). Needs a GS1-licensed number. Books use ISBN barcodes, magazines ISSN.
Warehouses and distributors
ITF-14 for shipping cartons. GS1-128 for pallets and data like batch numbers, expiry dates and weights. Your customer's routing guide usually specifies which.
Your own inventory, assets and labels
Code 128 for most internal uses: compact, letters and numbers, reliable. Code 39 only when a system requires it.
Small parts and healthcare
Data Matrix packs a lot of data into a few millimeters. GS1 DataMatrix is required for many pharmaceutical and medical-device labels.
Documents, IDs and tickets
PDF417 on IDs and boarding passes; Aztec on mobile tickets.
Customers' phones
QR code. Every phone camera reads it, and it can hold links, Wi-Fi details, contacts and more.
USPS Intelligent Mail in the US, Royal Mail 4-State in the UK, plus Australia Post, Japan Post and KIX.
Maximum capacities from each symbology standard.
Make it yourself in under a minute
Open the generator
The Free barcode generator opens with the right code type already selected.
Enter your data
Type your number or text. Check digits are added automatically and invalid data is flagged.
Adjust the layout
Set bar height, quiet zone and whether to show the human-readable text.
Download and print
Download a PNG for free. Print black bars on white and keep the margins clear.
