Barcodes come in two families: 1D (linear) barcodes that store data in varying-width bars, and 2D barcodes like QR and Data Matrix that store data in a grid. The right symbology depends on your industry and scanner.
Code 128 is the workhorse of logistics and warehousing — dense, self-checking, and ideal for shipping labels and inventory. It handles letters and numbers, so it fits serial numbers and internal IDs.
EAN-13 and UPC-A are the retail standards printed on consumer products worldwide. UPC-A is the 12-digit North American format; EAN-13 adds a leading digit for international use. Both include a check digit that prevents misreads at the till.
Choosing the wrong symbology causes scanner incompatibility and supply-chain friction. Our generator supports 100+ barcode and QR types so you can produce exactly the format your readers expect — free and without an account.
For small businesses tracking stock, see our guide on using barcodes for inventory.
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