barcodemate. My barcodes

THE BARCODE FIELD GUIDE

The right code.
For the right job.

Start with what you need to do. We’ll help you choose a format.

Inventory & shipping

Code 128

A versatile choice for internal product codes, stock labels and shipping workflows. Supports letters, numbers and common symbols.

Letters, numbers and symbols. Great for SKUs and internal inventory.

Create Code 128

Retail products worldwide

EAN-13

A 13-digit retail barcode used for products sold internationally. Use an existing assigned product number; generating an image does not register a product number.

Enter 12 digits to calculate the check digit, or all 13 to validate it.

Create EAN-13

Retail in North America

UPC-A

A 12-digit retail barcode commonly used in the US and Canada. Use the product number assigned to your item.

Enter 11 digits to calculate the check digit, or all 12 to validate it.

Create UPC-A

Assets & equipment

Code 39

A simple format for internal asset tags and equipment identification, using uppercase letters, numbers and a small set of symbols.

Use A–Z, 0–9, spaces, or these symbols: - . $ / + %.

Create Code 39

Small retail packaging

EAN-8

An 8-digit retail format for small products with limited packaging space. It requires an appropriate assigned EAN-8 number; it is not a shortened EAN-13.

Enter 7 digits to calculate the check digit, or all 8 to validate it.

Create EAN-8

Links, text & more

QR Code

Share a website link or a short message with a phone camera. These are static QR codes: the content is embedded in the image, without a redirect service.

Enter a complete URL, including https://, or any short text.

Create QR Code

Compact item identification

Data Matrix

A compact two-dimensional format for tracking small items and components. This tool produces ordinary Data Matrix codes, not GS1 DataMatrix.

English letters, numbers and keyboard symbols. For other languages, use QR Code. Not GS1.

Create Data Matrix

Documents & logistics

PDF417

A stacked two-dimensional barcode for larger text payloads and document workflows. Application-specific document formats require their own data rules.

English letters, numbers and keyboard symbols. For other languages, use QR Code. Document-specific rules still apply.

Create PDF417

Before you print

  1. Use the right data. Internal SKUs are different from globally assigned retail product numbers. Generating an image does not register a GTIN. Learn about GS1 product numbers.
  2. Keep the white space. Scanners need the clear area around a code, called its quiet zone. Do not crop it off or cover it with text.
  3. Keep the proportions. Avoid stretching a barcode to fit a box. SVG works well for layouts that need resizing; PNG should be printed without smoothing the bars.
  4. Test a real label. Print at the intended physical size, on your actual printer and material, then scan with the device you plan to use. A screen preview is not a print-quality certification.

About check digits

EAN-13, EAN-8 and UPC-A use a final check digit. Enter the number without this last digit and BarcodeMate calculates it. Enter the full number and we validate it. Leading zeros are preserved.

About static QR codes

The content lives inside your downloaded image. BarcodeMate does not add a tracking link or redirect. The code itself does not expire, but a website it links to can change or stop working.

Open the generator