Create free, print-ready barcodes in seconds — no signup, no watermark, no limit. Generate a single Code 128, Code 39, QR code or UPC-A barcode and download it as a PNG, or paste a list and print a full Avery 5160 label sheet (30 barcodes per page) as a PDF. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you type is uploaded or stored.
Need a GS1 Digital Link QR for retail 2D scanning? Use the GS1 QR code generator. Background and scanner/label path: Sunrise 2027 2D barcode upgrade.
Generate single barcodes or batch print sheets
Supports comma-separated or newline-separated values. 30 barcodes per page.
Need Help with Barcode Labels?
ArrowheadPHX offers a complete selection of barcode labels, printers, and supplies. Browse our label selection or contact our experts for assistance.
Phone: 1-877-437-3028 | Email: orders@arrowheadphx.com
How to generate a barcode
- Pick a symbology. Code 128 is the safe default for general use; see the guide below if you're unsure.
- Type your value. Part numbers, serial numbers, asset tags, URLs (QR) or a 12-digit UPC.
- Check the live preview and choose a size — small for asset labels, large for scanning at a distance.
- Download the PNG, or switch to the Barcode Sheet tab, paste a list of values, and generate a printable Avery 5160 PDF.
Choosing the right barcode type
Code 128 encodes letters, numbers and symbols in a compact symbol, which is why it dominates shipping labels, warehouse bins and asset tracking. If a barcode scanner will read it and you control both ends, use Code 128.
Code 39 is older and prints wider, but nearly every scanner made in the last 30 years reads it without configuration — common in government, defense (LOGMARS) and automotive paperwork.
QR codes hold far more data — URLs, Wi-Fi credentials, vCards — and phones read them natively. Use QR when people, not scanners, do the scanning. For a QR that carries a product GTIN in GS1 Digital Link format (the Sunrise 2027 retail standard), use the GS1 QR code generator.
UPC-A is the 12-digit retail standard on consumer packaging in North America. The digits come from GS1; this generator renders any valid 12-digit number, but selling at retail requires a GS1-assigned company prefix. Retailers moving to 2D checkout still keep the UPC during dual marking — see Sunrise 2027.
Printing barcodes that actually scan
Laser-printed sheets work for short-term labels, but toner cracks and office paper smears. If you print barcodes every day, a purpose-built Zebra label printer pays for itself quickly: a desktop ZD421 covers up to a few hundred labels a day, and 4×6 shipping labels run cheapest on direct thermal stock. Designing more complex labels with variable data? See ZebraDesigner. As an authorized Zebra reseller we stock the printers, labels and ribbons to match — call 1-877-437-3028 for volume pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Is this barcode generator really free?
Yes — unlimited barcodes and sheets, no account, no watermark. It runs entirely in your browser.
What's the difference between UPC-A and Code 128?
UPC-A is the fixed 12-digit retail code printed on consumer products. Code 128 is variable-length and encodes text as well as numbers, so it's the usual choice for internal part numbers, shipping and asset labels.
Can I print a whole sheet of barcodes at once?
Yes. The Barcode Sheet tab lays out 30 barcodes per page matching Avery 5160 labels and produces a PDF sized for exact alignment.
Will these barcodes scan on any scanner?
Code 128, Code 39 and UPC-A are read by every mainstream 1D scanner; QR codes need a 2D imager or a phone camera. Print at medium size or larger and avoid resizing the PNG afterwards, which can blur the bars.
Where do I make a GS1 Digital Link QR for Sunrise 2027?
This page makes plain barcodes. For a GTIN encoded as a GS1 Digital Link URI, use the GS1 QR code generator. The Sunrise 2027 upgrade page covers scanner fleets and dual-marked labels.