Barcode Generator
Generate a scannable Code 39 barcode from text, right in your browser.
What is Barcode Generator?
A barcode generator is a tool that encodes a string of text into a machine-readable pattern of bars and spaces that a barcode scanner can read back as data. Barcodes are used to identify products, track inventory, label assets, and encode serial numbers across retail, shipping, and manufacturing. This generator produces Code 39, one of the oldest and most widely supported barcode symbologies, which is readable by essentially every standard scanner without special configuration. Code 39 encodes uppercase letters A through Z, digits 0 through 9, space, and the symbols - . $ / + %, which covers product SKUs and most serial numbers but excludes lowercase and most other punctuation. The output is a genuine, spec-correct barcode rendered as a downloadable image rather than a decorative approximation.
How to Use Barcode Generator
- Type the text you want to encode — letters are automatically uppercased since Code 39 has no lowercase.
- The barcode renders instantly as you type, with the human-readable text shown underneath.
- Adjust the bar width and height if you need a larger or smaller barcode for your label.
- Click "Download PNG" to save the barcode as an image.
Examples
Product SKU
Input: SKU-4821
Output: A scannable Code 39 barcode
Serial number
Input: ABC123456
Output: A scannable Code 39 barcode
Common Mistakes
- Scaling the downloaded PNG down so much that the narrowest bars blur together — barcodes need a minimum print size to stay scannable.
- Cropping out the quiet zone (blank margin) on either side of the barcode — most scanners need that empty space to detect where the barcode starts and ends.
- Assuming lowercase or special characters like @ and ! will encode — Code 39's character set is fixed and doesn't include them.
Why Use This Tool
- Generates a real, spec-correct Code 39 barcode, verified character-by-character against independent reference implementations.
- Instant live preview as you type, with adjustable bar width and height.
- Human-readable text automatically shown beneath the bars.
- Runs entirely client-side — no upload, no sign-up, no watermark.