Sample Barcode Generator

About this tool

The Sample Barcode Generator renders test barcodes in seven linear formats: Code 128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, Code 39, ITF-14 and MSI. Pick a format and the Value field fills with a sample (for example 9780201379624 for EAN-13), or type your own and click Generate. Rendering uses the JsBarcode library, loaded from a CDN the first time; for EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A and ITF-14 you can enter the digits without the last one and the check digit is appended, while a full-length value must already carry a correct check digit. Adjust bar width and height, show or hide the text under the bars, and download the result as an SVG. The Random value button fills a random number of the right length for EAN-13 and EAN-8, a SAMPLE-prefixed value for Code 39, and a 12-digit number for the other formats. It is useful for testing scanner integrations, sample product labels and demo inventory screens.

Why use it

• Seven linear formats in one place: Code 128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, Code 39, ITF-14 and MSI.

• Check digits are appended for EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A and ITF-14 when you leave the last digit off.

• Vector SVG download stays sharp at any print size.

• Built-in sample values for every format, plus a Random value button for quick test data.

How to use

1. Choose a format from the Format dropdown; the Value field fills with a valid sample for that format and the barcode renders.
2. Type your own value, or click Random value to fill a random one and render it.
3. Set Width (bar width, 1-5) and Height (20-200 px), then click Generate to redraw; untick Show text label to hide the digits under the bars.
4. Click Download SVG to save the barcode as a vector file named barcode-FORMAT.svg.

When it helps

• Testing barcode scanner hardware or software integrations during development or QA.
• Creating sample product barcodes for demo inventory systems, POS prototypes, or design reviews.
• Generating test labels for retail or logistics software.
• Building barcode examples for documentation or presentations.

Examples

Tips

• For retail testing, prefer EAN-13 or UPC-A — these are the formats real-world POS systems handle most often.
• For shipping or logistics tests, use Code 128 — it encodes both letters and digits at high density and is the de facto standard on shipping labels.
• When printing, use the SVG download and let your printer rasterize it at native DPI so the bars stay crisp.
• Always include a quiet zone (white space) of at least 10× the narrow-bar width on each side, or scanners may fail to read.
• If a sample barcode won't scan, increase the bar width or height and click Generate again.
• Mark sample barcodes clearly in any printed label preview as TEST or SAMPLE to prevent accidental shelf placement on real products.
• Width and height changes apply when you click Generate; format changes, Random value and the label toggle redraw immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Glossary

EAN-13

European Article Number — a 13-digit barcode standard used globally for retail product identification, with a single mod-10 check digit at position 13. The most common retail barcode worldwide.

UPC-A

Universal Product Code, version A — a 12-digit barcode standard used in the US and Canada for retail products. A UPC-A with a leading 0 is a valid EAN-13.

Code 128

A high-density linear barcode that encodes the full ASCII character set (128 characters). Three subsets (A, B, C) optimize encoding length. Used heavily in shipping, healthcare, and logistics.

Code 39

An older alphanumeric barcode encoding 0-9, A-Z, hyphen, period, space, and seven symbols. No check digit by default. Common in industrial and inventory tags.

QR Code

Quick Response Code — a 2D matrix barcode that encodes URLs, text, or binary data. Includes Reed-Solomon error correction so codes scan even when partially damaged.

Check digit (mod 10)

The trailing digit of a numeric barcode, computed by summing odd-position digits, multiplying even-position digits by 3, summing both, and choosing the digit that makes the total divisible by 10.

Quiet zone

The blank margin on either side of a barcode (typically 10× narrow-bar width) that lets the scanner detect the start and stop of the bar pattern. Insufficient quiet zone is a leading cause of unreadable barcodes.

GS1

GS1 is the global standards organization that issues real GTIN/UPC/EAN prefixes to manufacturers. Sample barcodes generated by this tool are NOT registered with GS1.