Code 128 Barcode generator
Generate easy & customizable Code 128 Barcodes in seconds.
Make sure to test out your configured barcode before using it in production.
Free Code 128 Barcode Generator – Create Barcodes Online
Generate high-density, full-ASCII Code 128 barcodes in seconds with TryQRCode.
Create a free Code 128 barcode for any type of data—numeric, alphanumeric, or full ASCII. Customize the colors, width, and height, preview it live, and download it as PNG, SVG, JPG, or WEBP for retail labels, inventory tags, shipping labels, and packaging. No login or technical skills required.
Generate Code 128 BarcodeWhat is a Code 128 Barcode?
A Code 128 barcode is a high-density, variable-length linear barcode that can encode all 128 ASCII characters. It uses three interchangeable character sets (A, B, and C) and switches between them automatically to keep the code as small as possible. Because it stores roughly twice as much data as Code 39 per unit length, Code 128 is one of the most space-efficient linear barcodes in the world and is widely used in retail, logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing.
In short: Code 128 packs the most data into the smallest space of any common linear barcode, supports the full ASCII character set, and is a global standard for labels and packaging.
Code 128 Quick Facts
| Encodes | All 128 ASCII characters (digits, letters, control & special chars) |
|---|---|
| Character sets | A (control chars), B (uppercase/lowercase), C (numeric pairs) |
| Length | Variable (practically any length) |
| Check digit | Mandatory embedded check digit (mod 103) |
| Encoding standard | ISO/IEC 15417 (GS1-128 subset) |
| Typical use | Retail, shipping, inventory, healthcare, GS1 labels |
How to Create Your Code 128 Barcode
Follow these four steps to generate a professional Code 128 barcode in under a minute.
1
Enter Your Data
Type or paste the value you want to encode—numbers, letters, or special characters.
2
Customize the Look
Adjust foreground and background colors, width scale, height, and toggle the human-readable text.
3
Generate & Preview
Your barcode renders instantly with a live preview so you can verify it before download.
4
Download & Print
Export as PNG, SVG, JPG, or WEBP and use it on labels, tags, and packaging.
No registration required. Your barcode is generated in seconds and ready for print or digital use.
Benefits of Code 128 Barcodes
Why teams and businesses choose Code 128 barcodes for dependable, scannable identification.
Highest Density
Stores more data per inch than Code 39, making labels smaller and faster to scan.
Full ASCII Support
Encodes digits, letters, punctuation, and control characters in a single symbol.
Built-in Error Checking
Every Code 128 symbol includes a mandatory check character that guards against misreads.
Industry Standard
Recognized globally and required by leading supply chain and logistics workflows.
Automatic Subsets
The encoder selects the densest subset (A, B, or C) automatically.
Scans Everywhere
Read by virtually all modern laser and camera barcode scanners.
Common Use Cases for Code 128
See how Code 128 barcodes are used across retail, logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Retail & Inventory
Price tags, shelf labels, and warehouse stock identifiers.
Shipping & Logistics
Parcel labels and GS1-128 transport labels used by carriers worldwide.
Healthcare
Patient wristbands, specimen labels, and instrument tracking (HIBC).
Manufacturing
Work-in-progress tracking, asset tags, and production control.
GS1 Applications
SSCC, GSIN, and EAN/UPC-compatible GS1-128 labeling.
Ticketing & ID
Event tickets, membership cards, and access control badges.
Code 128 Barcode – Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about how Code 128 works and where to use it.
Code 128 can encode all 128 ASCII characters—digits, uppercase and lowercase letters, punctuation, and control characters.
The base Code 128 auto-switches subsets for maximum density. 128A encodes control characters, 128B encodes all printable ASCII, and 128C encodes numeric data as pairs for double density.
Yes. Every Code 128 symbol includes a mandatory modulo-103 check character that scanners use to verify the data.
Code 128 is variable-length and can hold more characters than the fixed-length EAN-13 (13 digits). EAN-13 is designed for retail Point-of-Sale scanning; Code 128 is general-purpose.
Retail, shipping and logistics, healthcare, manufacturing, and GS1-128 supply chain labeling are the most common applications.
GS1-128 (formerly UCC/EAN-128) is a special application of Code 128 that uses Application Identifiers (AIs) to structure data—the underlying symbology is the same Code 128.
Create Your Free Code 128 Barcode Now
Generate a scannable, print-ready Code 128 barcode in seconds—download it in any format and use it wherever you need reliable identification.
Generate Code 128 Barcode
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