Barcode Generator

Create scannable Code 128 barcodes

Code 128 encodes the full set of standard ASCII characters, making it ideal for SKUs, asset tags, tracking numbers and labels. The tool computes the checksum automatically and renders a precise vector barcode.

Download as SVG for infinitely sharp printing or PNG for quick use — all generated in your browser.

Options

• Adjustable bar width and height
• Optional human-readable text label
• Export to SVG or PNG

Key features at a glance

• Generates scannable Code 128 barcodes from text or numbers
• Encodes the full standard ASCII character set
• Automatic checksum calculation
• Adjustable bar width and height
• Optional human-readable text label
• Export to crisp SVG or PNG, all in your browser

What Code 128 is and why it is used

Code 128 is a high-density linear barcode capable of encoding the full set of 128 ASCII characters — digits, uppercase and lowercase letters, and symbols. This versatility makes it one of the most widely used barcode standards in logistics, retail, and asset management, where it appears on shipping labels, SKUs, tracking numbers, and inventory tags.

Its density is a key advantage: Code 128 packs more data into less space than many older barcode symbologies, and it has special modes that compress numeric data even further. The symbology also includes a mandatory checksum that scanners use to verify a read, reducing errors. This tool calculates that checksum automatically and renders the precise bar pattern, so the barcodes you create scan reliably.

Why SVG and PNG export both matter

The format you export a barcode in affects how well it scans, especially when printed. SVG is a vector format, meaning the barcode is described by mathematical shapes rather than a fixed grid of pixels. This lets it scale to any size — from a small label to a large carton — with perfectly sharp bars and no blurring, which is critical because fuzzy bars cause scan failures.

PNG, a raster format, is convenient for quick on-screen use and for pasting into documents or apps that do not handle SVG. Offering both means you can choose vector output for professional printing and pixel output for everyday digital use. For anything that will be printed and scanned at scale, SVG is the safer choice because it guarantees crisp edges at any resolution.

Designing barcodes that scan reliably

A few practical factors determine whether a barcode reads first time. Bar height should be tall enough for the scanner to get a clean sweep, and there must be enough quiet space — a margin of blank area on each side — for the reader to detect where the code begins and ends. Too little contrast or bars printed too small are the most common causes of failed scans.

Sizing matters too: shrinking a barcode below the resolution of your printer makes the narrow bars merge and become unreadable. This tool's adjustable bar width and height let you tune the code for its intended use, and the optional human-readable label underneath provides a fallback so the value can be entered manually if a scan ever fails. Following these basics ensures dependable scanning.

Tips for generating barcodes

• Use SVG for anything that will be printed and scanned at size
• Keep enough blank margin (quiet zone) on each side of the code
• Make the bars tall enough for a clean scanner sweep
• Enable the human-readable label as a manual fallback
• Avoid shrinking a barcode below your printer's resolution

Why choose our barcode generator?

Our generator is completely free with no signup, no limits, and no watermarks. Barcodes are generated locally in your browser, so your data is never uploaded, results are instant, and the tool works offline.

It is one of more than 200 free tools on ToopTools, and you can pin it to your My Workspace, a personalized workspace where you keep the tools you use most in a single dashboard. Beside the QR code generator and scanner, it covers creating and reading codes in one place.

Common use cases

Businesses use the barcode generator to create labels for products, inventory, and assets, encoding SKUs, serial numbers, and tracking codes into scannable Code 128 barcodes. Warehouses and small shops use it to tag items for quick lookup and stock management.

Event organizers encode ticket numbers, libraries and offices tag equipment, and developers generate test barcodes for scanning software. Because the output is sharp SVG or PNG with an automatic checksum, the codes are ready to print and scan reliably.

Is the barcode generator free?

Yes. It is completely free with no account, no sign-up, and no usage limits, and it never adds a watermark. Generate as many barcodes as you like at no cost.

What is Code 128?

Code 128 is a compact, high-density barcode standard that encodes the full ASCII character set, including letters, numbers, and symbols. It is widely used for shipping labels, SKUs, and asset tags because it packs a lot of data into little space.

Should I export as SVG or PNG?

Use SVG for printing, since it scales to any size with perfectly sharp bars. Use PNG for quick on-screen use or for pasting into apps that do not support vector files.

Do I need to add a checksum?

No. The tool calculates the Code 128 checksum automatically and includes it in the barcode, so the codes you generate are valid and scan correctly without any extra steps.

Why won't my printed barcode scan?

Usually it is printed too small, lacks margin, or has low contrast. Print it larger with a clear quiet zone on each side, use SVG for sharp bars, and ensure good contrast between the bars and background.

Is my data kept private?

Yes. The barcode is generated entirely in your browser, so the text or numbers you encode never leave your device. The tool is private and works without an internet connection.

How do I generate a barcode from a number or text?

Type the value you want to encode, pick a barcode format such as Code 128 or EAN, and the tool renders the barcode instantly. Download it as an SVG or PNG to print on labels, products, or documents.

Does the barcode generator work offline?

Yes. The barcode is generated entirely in your browser, so once the page has loaded the tool works without an internet connection, and the data you encode is never uploaded — it stays private on your own device.