ToolPetal
UPC barcode generator
- Runs on your device
- Nothing uploaded
- Free, no sign-up
Barcodes are drawn in this tab. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.
How to make a UPC barcode
- Choose UPC-A for a retail product in the US or Canada, or EAN-13 for most other countries.
- Type the first 11 digits of your UPC. The 12th digit, the check digit, is worked out and added. If you type all 12, the tool checks that the last one is right.
- Leave Show numbers on for retail codes. Scanners do not need the digits, but people and some retailers do.
- Press Download SVG for print and packaging (it stays sharp at any size), or Download PNG for listings, documents and label apps.
- Print a test and scan it with a phone or your till scanner before you print a full run.
Which barcode type do you need?
| Type | What it holds | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| UPC-A | 12 digits | Retail products in the US and Canada |
| EAN-13 | 13 digits | Retail products elsewhere, books (ISBN starts 978 or 979) |
| EAN-8 | 8 digits | Very small packs |
| ITF-14 | 14 digits | Outer cartons and cases of a product |
| Code 128 | Any keyboard text | Shipping labels, stock and asset tags, internal SKUs |
| Code 39 | A to Z, 0 to 9, a few symbols | ID badges, older inventory and library systems |
UPC-E, the short 6-digit version of UPC-A, is not included here.
Worked example: the UPC check digit
Take the first 11 digits 03600029145.
- Add the digits in the odd positions (1st, 3rd, 5th and so on): 0 + 6 + 0 + 2 + 1 + 5 = 14.
- Multiply by 3: 14 x 3 = 42.
- Add the digits in the even positions: 3 + 0 + 0 + 9 + 4 = 16. Total: 42 + 16 = 58.
- The check digit is what takes the total up to the next multiple of 10: 60 minus 58 = 2.
So the full UPC is 036000291452, which is the sample loaded above.
Getting a barcode that scans
- Keep dark bars on a light background. Black on white is safest. Red bars, or bars on a dark or red background, often fail because many scanners use red light.
- Leave the quiet zone. The white margin on each side is part of the barcode. Do not crop it or print right up to an edge.
- Do not squash it. Resize the SVG evenly. The standard UPC-A size is about 37.3 mm x 25.9 mm, and it is usually fine down to 80 percent.
- Print a test first on the real label stock and scan it.
Questions
Does this give me a real UPC number for my product?
No. It turns a number you already have into a barcode image. To sell in most retail stores and on Amazon you need a company prefix from GS1, the body that issues UPC and EAN numbers. Do not make up a UPC for a product you will sell through a retailer.
What is a UPC check digit?
The last digit of a UPC. It is worked out from the first 11 digits so a scanner can tell when a code was misread. Type 11 digits and this tool adds it; type 12 and it tells you if the last one is wrong.
What is the difference between UPC and EAN?
UPC-A has 12 digits and is used mainly in the US and Canada. EAN-13 has 13 digits and is used in most other countries. A UPC-A is the same as an EAN-13 that starts with 0, and modern scanners read both.
Should I download PNG or SVG?
Use SVG for printing labels and packaging, because it is made of shapes and stays sharp at any size. Use PNG for web pages, documents, and apps that do not accept SVG. Pick a larger size before downloading the PNG if you plan to print it.
Which barcode should I use for inventory or shipping labels?
Code 128 is the usual choice. It holds letters, numbers and symbols and stays compact. Code 39 also works but makes longer barcodes and only takes capital letters, digits and a few symbols.
Is anything I type uploaded?
No. The barcode is drawn by JavaScript in your browser, and the PNG and SVG files are made on your device.