How to Generate Barcodes: Complete Guide 2026

Why Generate Barcodes with GoToolly?

Barcodes are the backbone of modern supply chains, retail operations, and inventory management. The GoToolly Barcode Generator lets you create professional-grade barcodes instantly without installing software or signing up for services. Whether you need a Code 128 label for warehouse logistics, an EAN-13 for retail products, or any other common format, the tool handles everything in your browser using client-side generation.

Unlike desktop software that requires installation or cloud services that charge per scan, GoToolly provides unlimited barcode generation at no cost. Your data never leaves your computer, making it suitable for sensitive internal SKUs and product codes. The tool supports multiple output formats including PNG and SVG, giving you flexibility for printing, web display, or integration with label systems.

Barcodes eliminate manual data entry errors, speed up checkout processes, and enable real-time inventory tracking. With GoToolly, you can generate as many barcodes as you need for testing, small-scale production, or internal systems without any limitations.

• Retail Products: Generate EAN-13 or UPC-A barcodes for point-of-sale systems.
• Inventory Management: Use Code 128 for warehouse bins, asset tags, and stock keeping.
• Logistics & Shipping: Create Code 39 labels for package tracking and shipment manifests.
• Internal Asset Tagging: Assign unique barcodes to equipment, furniture, and IT assets.

Understanding Barcode Symbologies

Different barcode standards exist for different use cases. Choosing the right symbology ensures compatibility with your scanning equipment and downstream systems. Here is a breakdown of the formats supported by GoToolly:

Code 128

Code 128 is the most versatile linear barcode symbology. It supports the full ASCII 128-character set including letters, numbers, and special characters. It offers the highest density among linear barcodes, meaning it can encode the most data in the smallest space. Code 128 is widely used in logistics, shipping labels, and inventory systems because of its flexibility and reliability. It includes a mandatory checksum digit that verifies data integrity during scanning.

Code 39

Code 39 is a classic barcode symbology that encodes 43 characters: uppercase letters A-Z, digits 0-9, and a few special characters including space, period, hyphen, asterisk, and dollar sign. While less dense than Code 128, Code 39 is simpler and remains common in non-retail environments such as manufacturing, automotive ID labels, and government applications. Each Code 39 barcode includes start and stop characters (the asterisk) that frame the data.

EAN-13

EAN-13 is the international retail barcode standard used in most countries outside North America. It encodes 13 digits: a 2-3 digit country code, a company prefix, a product reference, and a checksum digit. EAN-13 barcodes are required for products sold through traditional retail channels in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The GoToolly generator validates the checksum automatically to ensure your barcode scans correctly.

UPC-A

UPC-A is the standard retail barcode used in the United States and Canada. It encodes 12 digits including a number system digit, a manufacturer code, a product code, and a checksum. UPC-A barcodes are universally accepted by North American retailers and point-of-sale systems. The GoToolly generator supports both UPC-A and the extended formats for full retail compatibility.

EAN-8

EAN-8 is a shortened version of EAN-13 designed for small packages where space is limited. It encodes only 8 digits. EAN-8 barcodes are used for small items like cosmetics, cigarettes, and confectionery that cannot accommodate a full EAN-13 label.

UPC-E

UPC-E is a compressed version of UPC-A that uses 6 digits for products with specific manufacturer codes. It is used on very small packages in North America. The scanner expands UPC-E to a full UPC-A internally, making it fully compatible with existing systems.

Step-by-Step: Generate Barcodes with GoToolly

Best Practices for Barcode Generation

Creating scannable barcodes requires attention to several factors beyond just selecting the right symbology. Follow these guidelines to ensure your barcodes scan reliably in production environments:

• Maintain Adequate Size: The recommended minimum width for a retail barcode is 37.29 mm (1.469 inches) with a height of 25.4 mm (1 inch). Smaller barcodes are harder for scanners to read.
• Ensure High Contrast: Use black bars on a white background for optimal contrast. Avoid colored bars or backgrounds that reduce the reflectivity difference. Red backgrounds are particularly problematic because red light scanners see them as white.
• Respect Quiet Zones: The blank area on each side of the barcode must be free of any text, graphics, or printing. GS1 specifies a minimum quiet zone of 10 times the X dimension (the narrowest bar width) on each side.
• Use Vector Formats for Printing: Export barcodes as SVG for label printing rather than PNG. Vector graphics scale cleanly to any size without pixelation, ensuring crisp bars at any print resolution.
• Test Across Different Scanners: A barcode that works with a high-end industrial scanner may fail with a budget handheld scanner. Test your barcodes with the actual hardware your team uses.
• Include Human-Readable Text: Always display the encoded data below the barcode. This provides a fallback if the barcode is damaged and helps workers verify scans manually.

Limitations and Considerations

While GoToolly's Barcode Generator handles common use cases effectively, there are some important limitations to understand. The tool is designed for generating individual or small batches of barcodes for testing, internal systems, and small-scale use. For high-volume retail production, you should use dedicated barcode software that integrates with your GS1 account.

EAN-13 and UPC-A barcodes generated by GoToolly include all formatting including valid checksums, but they do not register your product in any global database. To sell products in retail stores, you must obtain a valid GTIN from GS1 and register your products through proper channels. The barcodes generated are structurally valid but have not been allocated by a standards body.

Additionally, the tool generates linear (1D) barcodes only. For applications requiring QR codes, Data Matrix, or other 2D barcodes, use GoToolly's dedicated QR Code Generator. 2D barcodes can encode more data and are better suited for mobile scanning and electronic ticketing.

Frequently Asked Questions