Free barcode generator: EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A and Code 128

Which format for which use?

Simple rule: a product meant for retail → EAN-13 (Europe) or UPC-A (North America). An internal identifier, a serial number, a file code → Code 128, which accepts letters and imposes no fixed length. → Full comparison: Code 128 vs EAN-13 vs UPC-A

The check digit: you type 12 digits, we do the rest

The thirteenth digit of an EAN-13 is not free data: it is a check digit computed from the first twelve, which lets readers detect typing or scanning errors. In FlashScan Pro, enter the 12 digits of your code — the check digit is computed and appended automatically. If you enter all 13 digits, the digit is verified and an invalid code is rejected rather than generated wrong. → Understanding the EAN-13 check digit

Concrete use cases

• Small shops and makers: price and shelf labels for products sold directly (market, store, click & collect) with an internal Code 128 number.
• Inventory and stock: one Code 128 per reference, printed on the shelf or bin. Stock-taking becomes a scan, with no typing.
• Libraries and equipment lending: one label per item or device — Code 128 accepts your existing prefixes (“BOOK-0042”, “LAPTOP-07”).
• Shipping: parcel codes and internal slips; Code 128 is the carrier standard.
• Testing and mock-ups: generate a valid EAN-13 to test a till, an app or packaging before production.

What this generator does not do (and why that is normal)

Let us be clear about two limits:

• No product lookup. The generator encodes the number you give it; it does not fill in a product sheet and does not know your item. To decode an existing code, use the online scanner.
• No GS1 allocation. To sell in retail chains or on marketplaces, your EANs must be based on an official prefix assigned by GS1 — they are the ones to contact to get it. For internal use (stock, inventory, direct sales), however, you can number freely: that is what Code 128 is for, and no authority needs to be consulted.

Printing and exporting

• PNG for quick use in a document or a label printer;
• SVG vector for the printer or lossless enlargement — the format to prefer for any print run;
• PDF print-ready, one label per page.

Check the rendering at actual size before printing: a barcode that is too small or horizontally squashed becomes unreadable for scanners. Need a hundred codes at once? The bulk QR generator produces up to 100 codes in a single ZIP file.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between EAN-13 and Code 128?

EAN-13 is a 13-digit format reserved for identifying retail products, standardized worldwide. Code 128 encodes letters, digits and symbols at any length: it is the standard for logistics and internal identification. Product on a shelf → EAN-13; internal reference → Code 128.

Can I use these barcodes to sell in stores?

For direct sales (your shop, market stall, own website), yes: you choose your numbers freely. For retail chains or on marketplaces, you will need an official GS1 prefix — our generator will then encode your GS1 numbers into valid EAN-13 codes.

Is the check digit computed automatically?

Yes. Type the 12 digits of an EAN-13 (or 7 for an EAN-8, 11 for a UPC-A): the last digit is computed per the standard. If you type the full code, the digit is verified.

Which format should I pick for internal references?

Code 128: it accepts letters, dashes and digits, with no fixed length and no authority to consult. It is the standard format for SKUs, serial numbers and logistics labels.

Can I scan a barcode with FlashScan Pro?

Yes: the online scanner reads barcodes as well as QR codes — via the camera, an imported image or a simple copy-paste.

Do generated codes expire?

Never. A barcode encodes a number in its bars: nothing is hosted, nothing can be switched off. The label printed today will still scan in ten years.

See also

• FlashScan Pro — free, local code scanner and generator.
• Scan a code online — QR codes and barcodes, no app needed.
• EAN-13 generator — the retail product code.
• Code 128 generator — the alphanumeric format for logistics.
• Code 128 vs EAN-13 vs UPC-A
• EAN-13 structure and check digit
• Generate QR codes in bulk