Code 128 Barcode Generator
Make Code 128 barcodes for SKUs, bins, asset tags and shipping labels, one at a time or in bulk on Avery label sheets.
- Letters, digits & symbols
- GS1-128 too
- Bulk from Excel
- Avery label sheets
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Printed at 0.33 mm per bar: 47.2 × 19.1 mm (1.86 × 0.75 in)
What is Code 128?
Code 128 is a compact, high-density barcode that can encode all 128 ASCII characters: upper and lowercase letters, digits and symbols. It is the most common choice for inventory, warehouse locations, asset tags and shipping labels because it fits more data in less space than Code 39 and includes a built-in check character. GS1-128 is a Code 128 variant that adds application identifiers such as (01) for the GTIN, (10) for the batch number and (17) for the expiry date, used on cartons and pallets.
How to create a Code 128 barcode
- Type your SKU, part number or text. Code 128 picks the most compact encoding automatically.
- For GS1-128, choose it as the type and write each application identifier in brackets, e.g. (01)09521234543213(10)LOT42.
- Set the bar width and height, then download PNG or SVG.
- For many labels, switch to Bulk & label sheets and paste your list from a spreadsheet.
Which barcode type should I use?
- UPC-A and EAN-13 are for retail products. Official numbers come from GS1; a made-up number may clash with someone else’s product.
- Code 128 is the best general-purpose choice for inventory, asset tags and shipping, and encodes letters, digits and symbols.
- Code 39 is older but still required by some industries and government systems; it supports capital letters and digits only.
- Data Matrix and QR Code are 2D: they hold far more data in a small square and can be read by phone cameras.
Why use this code 128 barcode generator
- No email, no account, no watermarkMany barcode sites ask for an email before the download. Here the image is created on your device and saved straight away.
- Print-ready sizesChoose the bar width in millimetres and 150–600 DPI, see the printed size before you download, or take a vector SVG.
- Check digits handled for youUPC, EAN, ISBN and ITF-14 check digits are calculated or verified, with a clear message if a number is wrong.
- Bulk and label sheetsPaste a column from Excel and get a ZIP of images or a PDF laid out on Avery 5160, 5163, L7160 and other sheets.
Common uses
- Inventory and SKUs. Shelf and bin labels with product names.
- Asset tracking. Numbered tags for IT equipment and tools.
- Shipping and logistics. GS1-128 carton labels with batch and expiry.
- Libraries and documents. Unique IDs on files, samples and books.
Need a code people scan with their phone? Use the QR code generator or the Wi-Fi QR code generator. Pair labels with a UUID or random number generator for unique IDs.
Example: 30 asset tags
In Bulk & label sheets, select Fill with examples or paste ASSET-0001 … ASSET-0030, choose Avery 5160 and download the PDF: one full sheet of 1-inch labels.
What to expect from the result
This tool creates barcode images; it does not issue product numbers. Retailers and marketplaces require UPC/EAN numbers licensed from GS1. Always test-scan a printed sample, especially at small sizes, on coloured backgrounds or with low-quality printers.
Code 128 Barcode Generator questions
What can a Code 128 barcode contain?
Any standard ASCII character: A–Z, a–z, 0–9, punctuation and spaces. For accented letters or emoji, use Data Matrix or QR Code.
Is Code 128 better than Code 39?
Usually yes: Code 128 is about 30–40% shorter for the same data and supports lowercase. Use Code 39 only when a system specifically requires it.
What is GS1-128?
Code 128 with a special start character and application identifiers, used on shipping cartons and pallets to encode GTIN, batch, dates and quantities.
How do I make many barcodes at once?
Switch to Bulk & label sheets, paste one value per line (optionally with a label after a comma), then download a ZIP of images or a PDF on Avery label sheets.
Why won’t my barcode scan?
Common causes are printing too small, low contrast (light bars or a dark background), red bars, missing quiet zones, or a blurry printer. Increase the bar width, use black on white and keep the quiet zone on.