What is a Barcode Generator?
A barcode generator creates machine-readable representations of data using patterns of parallel lines (bars) and spaces. Barcodes are widely used in retail, logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing to identify products, track shipments, and manage inventory efficiently.
This tool generates barcodes in the Code 128 format, one of the most versatile and widely adopted barcode standards. Code 128 can encode all 128 ASCII characters, making it suitable for a wide range of applications from product labels to shipping documents.
How Do Barcodes Work?
Barcodes encode data into a series of bars and spaces of varying widths. A barcode scanner reads these patterns by detecting the reflected light from the white spaces and absorbed light from the black bars. The Code 128 format uses a start character, data characters, a checksum for error detection, and a stop character.
Each character is represented by 3 bars and 3 spaces, with each bar or space being 1 to 4 units wide. The total width of each character is always 11 units, which makes Code 128 a compact and efficient encoding system.
Common Use Cases
Identify products on retail shelves and in warehouses.
Track packages through supply chains and delivery networks.
Label medications, patient wristbands, and lab samples.
Track assets and manage stock levels across warehouses.