Code 128 Generator

Free Code 128 barcode generator for SKUs, inventory and shipping labels — letters and numbers, numbered series (SKU-0001…), A4/Avery/thermal label sheets, bulk ZIP and vector SVG/PDF.

1. Barcode type

Not sure? Tell us what it is for:
Retail products
Shipping & warehouse
2D codes
Code 128: Inventory, SKUs, shipping & FBA labels — letters and numbers

2. Your number or text

✓ 9 characters
Bar width (X)
Bar height 15.0 mm
📐 Printed size: 46.5 × 24.4 mm (1.83 × 0.96 in) • bar width 0.330 mm
Image quality
Bars Background
Text size 10
Rotate Margin 3 mm
Black on white scans best. Red, orange and yellow bars are invisible to most scanners.
One barcode per line. Optional name and price: Rice 5kg, 896123456789, Rs 1450
🔢 Make a numbered series (SKU-0001, SKU-0002…)
Digits For EAN/UPC: enter the first 12/11 digits as “Starts with” + number — check digits are added for you.
Label sheet
✓ Valid Code 128 barcode • SKU-00123
❓ Questions
Which barcode do I need?
EAN-13 for products in shops, Amazon and Daraz outside the USA. UPC-A for the USA. ITF-14 for outer cartons. Code 128 for your own SKUs, inventory and shipping labels (Amazon FBA uses Code 128 for FNSKU labels). Data Matrix when the space is tiny.
What is a check digit?
The last digit of EAN/UPC numbers is calculated from the others so scanners can spot mistakes. Type 12 digits for EAN-13 (or 11 for UPC-A) and we add it automatically; if you type the full number we check it.
How big should I print it?
EAN-13 at 100% is about 37×26 mm. You can go down to 80% if the printer is good, or up to 200% for large boxes. Do not cut the height too much and keep the white margin on both sides. Use SVG or PDF so the bars stay sharp.
Does the first number show where the product was made?
No — the prefix (for example 896 for Pakistan) shows which GS1 country office issued the company number, not where the product was made.
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💡 Help us improve the Code 128 Generator

Missing a feature or found a problem? Tell us — we read every message and add the most-requested features.

How to Use the Code 128 Generator

  1. 1
    Type your SKU or text
  2. 2
    Optional: add a name or price under the barcode
  3. 3
    Make a numbered series in Bulk
  4. 4
    Print a label sheet or download PNG/SVG/PDF

Features

✓Letters + numbers
✓Numbered series
✓Thermal & A4 label sheets
✓Bulk ZIP
✓Vector SVG & PDF

Code 128 barcodes for inventory and shipping

Code 128 is the most flexible 1D barcode: it encodes letters, numbers and symbols in a compact barcode that every scanner reads. That makes it the standard choice for SKU labels, inventory and asset tags, warehouse bins and courier tracking numbers. This generator creates single barcodes, numbered series and full label sheets.

How to create Code 128 barcodes

  1. Type your value — for example a SKU like TSHIRT-RED-M or a tracking number.
  2. Or create a series: prefix, start number and count (SKU-0001 to SKU-0500).
  3. Choose the label size: A4 sheets, Avery 5160, or thermal rolls (50 × 25 mm, 4 × 6 in…).
  4. Download a PDF to print, or SVG/PNG files in a ZIP.

Code 128 vs Code 39 vs EAN

  • Code 128: letters + numbers, compact — best for most internal labels.
  • Code 39: older, wider, only capital letters — use it if your system requires it.
  • EAN/UPC: only numbers, for retail products sold in shops.

Label printing tips

  • Keep values short — fewer characters means a shorter barcode that fits small labels.
  • Set the DPI to your printer (203 or 300 for thermal printers).
  • Print a test sheet and scan it before printing hundreds.
  • Avoid spaces at the start or end of the value.

Need full parcel labels with addresses? Use the shipping label generator, which includes a Code 128 tracking barcode.

Why Code 128?

Code 128 can hold letters, numbers and symbols — all 128 ASCII characters — in a compact barcode. That makes it the standard for internal labels: SKUs, order numbers, shelf labels, asset tags and shipping labels.

Examples

  • SKU label: VELO-12345
  • Order number: ORD-2026-0042
  • Asset tag: LAPTOP-07

Scanning the downloaded barcode returns exactly the text you typed.

Code 128 vs EAN / UPC vs GS1-128

  • EAN/UPC: numbers only, licensed from GS1, for retail checkout.
  • Code 128: any text, free to use for your own system.
  • GS1-128: Code 128 with GS1 rules for batch, expiry and weight on logistics labels.

Make a run of labels

Use Bulk & labels to generate a sequence such as SKU-0001 to SKU-0500 with a prefix and padding, then download a ZIP or print label sheets (A4, Avery or thermal).

Tips

  1. Shorter text makes a shorter, easier-to-scan barcode.
  2. Avoid characters your scanner or software can’t type, like special symbols, if you don’t need them.
  3. Print a test label and scan it with your real scanner before printing hundreds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Code 128 contain letters?

Yes — upper and lower case letters, numbers and common symbols.

Can I make numbered labels?

Yes. Set a prefix, start number and count to generate a series.

Which label sizes are supported?

A4 sheets, Avery 5160 and common thermal roll sizes, or a custom size.

Will any scanner read it?

Yes, Code 128 is supported by virtually all barcode scanners and phone apps.

Is it free?

Yes, free and without watermark.

Can Code 128 contain letters?

Yes. It supports letters, numbers and symbols.

Do I need to buy Code 128 numbers?

No. Code 128 is free to use for your own labels. Only retail EAN/UPC numbers come from GS1.

Related Free Tools

Universal Barcode GeneratorEAN Barcode GeneratorUPC Barcode Generator

Official Sources & Further Reading