Free Code 128 barcode generator

The everyday barcode for labels: any text or number, packed tight.

Barcode type

Text or number

Letters, digits, spaces and symbols, up to 80 characters.

Width (mm)

Including blank margins. Bars are 0.33 mm at their narrowest.

Bar height (mm)

Show the number under the bars

Bars

Background

Transparent background (PNG, SVG, PDF)

Code 128 is the everyday barcode for labels: it holds letters, digits and symbols, packs numbers tightly, and every barcode scanner reads it. Type your text or number above and download a scan-tested barcode; PNG and JPG are free.

What people use Code 128 for

Inventory and SKUs: shelf labels, bin locations, product SKUs.
Asset tags: laptops, tools and equipment, with a serial number or asset ID.
Shipping and returns: order numbers, return codes and package IDs.
Tickets and passes: a ticket number that a scanner at the door looks up.
Amazon FBA: FNSKU labels use Code 128; the FNSKU label maker adds the title and condition for you.

Tips for readable Code 128 barcodes

Shorter is better. Every character adds width. Use a short ID and keep the details in your system.
Mind the bar width. The generator shows the narrowest bar as you resize; stay above 0.19 mm.
Keep the margins. Leave blank space on both sides, at least ten times the narrowest bar.
Thermal labels: print at 100% so bars land on whole printer dots; scaled images print uneven bars.

Need GS1 fields like a batch or expiry date? Use GS1-128. For systems that only accept capitals and digits, use Code 39. For cartons with a GTIN, use ITF-14.

Questions people ask

What can a Code 128 barcode hold?

Letters (upper and lower case), digits, spaces and common symbols, up to 80 characters here. Long runs of digits are packed two per symbol, so number-heavy codes stay short.

Code 128 or QR code?

Code 128 for scanners in warehouses, shops and stock systems, which read barcodes fastest. A QR code when people will scan with their phones, or when you need to hold a web address or more data.

How small can I print it?

Keep the narrowest bar at least 0.19 mm wide; 0.25 to 0.33 mm is safer. Short codes can be small; long codes get wide, so keep the text short if space is tight.

Is Code 128 the same as GS1-128?

GS1-128 is Code 128 with GS1 application identifiers for supply chains, such as a GTIN, batch and expiry date. This page makes plain Code 128, which most inventory, asset and shipping labels use; for GS1 fields, use the GS1-128 generator.