10+ Simple, Free Ways to Create Barcodes for Any Need
Looking to create barcodes for printing on products, inventory management, sales or packaging design? Now, you No need to install complicated or expensive software– absolutely possible Create free barcodes in just a few easy steps, right in your browser, Excel, or familiar design tool.
In this article, iCheckQR will summarize 12 ways to create barcodesEasy to apply, from basic to advanced - suitable for everyone: from beginners to technicians or businesses in need of professional label printing.
1. Create barcode online with iCheckQR
iCheckQR is a completely free online barcode generator, supporting a variety of popular 1D barcode standards such as EAN-13, Code 128, Code 39, ITF, Codabar... no account required, easy-to-use Vietnamese interface, compatible with both computers and phones.
Instructions for creating barcodes on iCheckQR
Step 1: https://icheckqr.com/
Step 2: In the section “Barcode Type”, select the appropriate type:
EAN-13: for retail products
Code 128: for internal use, transportation
Code 39, ITF-14, EAN-8... depending on needs
Step 3: Enter code content (a series of numbers or strings to be encoded, such as: SKU, order code, product ID…)
Step 4: Customize (if needed):
Size: adjust code height, width
Color: select color code, background color
Image format: PNG, SVG (support high quality printing)
Step 5: Press the button “Generate barcode”
Sample barcode display system
Press “Download”to save images to the computer for printing stamps, stickers, inserting documents...
2. Create barcodes online using Barcode.tec-it.com
Barcode Generator by TEC-IT is an online barcode generator from Austria, trusted by millions of users worldwide. The tool supports both barcodes1D (like EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 128, Code 39) and 2D(like QR Code, Data Matrix…).
Instructions for creating barcodes with Barcode.tec-it.com
Step 1: Visit the barcode generator page at:https://barcode.tec-it.com
Step 2: Select barcode type in the section“Barcode type”
For example: EAN-13: International retail standard (13 digits) or UPC-A, Code 128, Code 39
Step 3: Entercode content to generate into the box “Data to encode”
For example: 8931234567890, SKU00123, ICHECK456789
Step 4: (Advanced options)
Code size: adjust bar height, module width
Image resolution (DPI): can be set from 150 – 600dpi
Display font: change the font of the text below the code
Text position: choose to show the code content above, below or hide it completely
Step 5: Press “Refresh” to display the newly generated code → Then press “Download” to download the code to your device in the following formats: PNG, SVG, PDF
3. Generate barcodes online Barcodesinc.com/generator
BarcodesInc Generator is a free online barcode generator, featuring an extremely simple, easy-to-use interface, suitable for beginners or those who just need to create barcodes quickly, without technical customization.
How to Create Barcodes with BarcodesInc.com
Step 1: Access the tool at: https://www.barcodesinc.com/generator/index.php
Step 2: In the section“Select a Barcode Symbology”, select the type of code to create:UPC-A, Code 128, Code 39, EAN-13, ITF, Codabar
Step 3: Enter the data to encode in the “Data to encode” box
For example: 123456789012, ICHECK00123, 8934567890123...
Step 4: Press the button“Generate Barcode”
The system will display the barcode image right below.
Right click on image →Select "Save image as..."to save to computer
Interface illustrationBarcodesInc Generator
4. Create barcodes in Excel
You can absolutely create barcodes directly in Excel.No specialized software required There are 2 popular ways:
Use barcode font (eg: Code 39)
This is the simplest way – suitable for non-technical people, especially when you just need to create barcodes for a few products or internal management.Steps to follow:
Step 1: Download barcode font to your computer
Font suggestions: Free 3 of 9(file name:Free3of9.ttf)
Download at: https://www.dafont.com/free-3-of-9.font
or https://www.barcodesinc.com/free-barcode-font/
Step 2: Font settings
Double click the file.ttf→ selectInstall
Reopen Excel to display the font
Step 3: Enter data into Excel cell
For example: *SKU1234*
Note: Font Code 39 requires accents*at the beginning and end of the string to identify
Step 4: Select cell → change font toFree 3 of 9→ The barcode will be displayed immediately and can be scanned by machine.
Illustration of barcode displayed onExcel
5. Create barcodes in Word
In addition to Excel, you can completely create simple barcodes right in Microsoft Word by installing barcode fonts - suitable when you need to quickly print product codes on labels, packaging or delivery notes.
How to create barcodes using Word (using Code 39 font)
Step 1: Download and install barcode font
Suggest: Free 3 of 9 (Code 39)
Download at:https://www.dafont.com/free-3-of-9.font
Download file.ttfto computer → right click →Install
Step 2: Open Microsoft Word
Type the product code you want to create (eg:*ICHECK123*)
Note: For Code 39 font, you need to add the comma*at the beginning and end of the data string
Step 3: Highlight content → select font“Free 3 of 9”from font list
→ The content will be displayed immediately as a scannable barcode
Step 4 (optional):
Adjust font size to increase or decrease barcode height
Center the content or insert a description below
Illustration of barcode displayed onWord
6. Create barcodes with your phone
If you don't have a computer or want to generate barcodes on the go, thenUse the app on your Android or iOS phone is the most convenient and fastest way.
Barcode generation applications today support many standards such asEAN-13, Code 128, UPC, Code 39…, and can export barcode images to store, print or share.
Popular barcode generator app (free, easy to use)
General usage:
Download and install the application from the App Store or Google Play
Open the app→ select "Create barcode"
Enter code content need to generate (e.g. product code, SKU, order number)
Select barcode type: EAN-13, Code 128, UPC, v.v.
Press “Generate”or “Create” to generate the code
Barcode image display application
→ You canDownload image as PNG, JPG or Share via Zalo, email, Google Drive...
7. Generate barcodes using Google Sheets
Google Sheets doesn't have a built-in barcode generator, but you can definitely display1D barcode Code 128in spreadsheet by onesimple function, but No Add-on required.
This method is extremely useful for: Sellers who want to manage SKU codes,
Create barcode product table to print, export code according to available Excel list
How to do:
Step 1:Open Google Sheets → enter product data in column A
Example: ini
A2 = ICHECK123456
A3 = SKU09876
A4 = 8931234567890
Step 2:In column B, use the following formula to generate the barcode:
excel
=IMAGE("https://barcode.tec-it.com/barcode.ashx?data="&A2&"&code=Code128")
→ This formulaDirect connection to TEC-IT server, create a Code 128 image based on the contents of cell A2
Step 3:Drag the formula down to generate a series of codes from the list → Each line will display corresponding barcode image
Illustration of barcode displayed onGoogle Sheets
8. Create barcodes using specialized software
Steps to use barcode generation software (general application)
Although each software has a different interface, the basic usage will include the following similar steps:
Step 1: Install the software
Download from official website or from the provider
Install according to the instructions on your computer
Step 2: Design the label template
Create a stamp frame (3x2 cm in size, or according to actual print size)
Insert Barcode(select type: EAN, Code 128...)
Insert text, logo, if necessary
Step 3: Enter barcode data
Can enter each code manually
Or Connect to Excel, Access, SQL files...to get the list automatically
Step 4: Test print and export file
Print on label printer (Zebra, Godex, TSC…)
Export PDF files or send print commands directly from the software
9. Create barcodes from Canva
If you are designing product packaging, labels, brochures or any printed document, Canva is the ideal tool for layout. Although Canva does not support direct barcode generation, but you can combine online barcode generator and Canva to create beautiful, professional designs.
How to do:
Step 1: Generate barcodes using online tools (suggestions: iCheckQR or TEC-IT)→ Download barcode image to your computer in PNG or SVG format
Step 2: Open Canva → choose a suitable design template (stamp, box, brochure...)
Step 3: Drag the barcode image you just uploaded into Canva
→ Place in desired position in design layoutStep 4: Add other content such as logo, product name, price... → Export PDF file for printing
10. Create barcodes on handmade products
If you are in business handmade products, handmade crafts, homemade cosmetics or online sales, you can completely create a simple barcode to product management, classification or printing of packaging labels but No need to register GS1 standard code.
How to do it is simple:
Choose an easy-to-generate code type:
Suggest: Code 128 or Code 39
Can contain order number, SKU, internal symbol
Generate code with free tool: iCheckQR Barcode Generator TEC-IT
Download barcode as PNG→ Insert into pre-designed label file (using Word, Canva...)
Print with a regular office printer→ A4 paper + decal paper or regular paper are all fine
Note:
If only for internal use or small retail sale →No need to register official barcode (GS1)
Do not use UPC or EAN unless distributing through a large supermarket chain.
11. Create multi-line barcodes (PDF417, used in transportation, CCCD cards)
PDF417 is a multi-line 2D barcode, capable of Encode hundreds of characters(including letters, numbers, special characters), commonly used in:Bill of lading, bill of lading, citizen identification card (CCCD), electronic ticket, Anti-counterfeit electronic stamp
How to generate PDF417 code for free:
Step 1: Access the code generator: https://barcode.tec-it.com/en/PDF417
Step 2: Enter the content to be encrypted (multiple lines are fine)
Example: less
Order code: 893456789
Customer name: Nguyen Van A
Address: 123 ABC Street, Hanoi
Created date: 07/25/2025
Step 3: Press “Refresh”to generate code
Step 4: Download the code in formatPNG, SVG or PDF
Technical Note:
PDF417 may contain words200–1100 characters, suitable for detailed information encoding needs
Can be scanned with 2D reader, code scanning app on phone (Zebra, iCheck...)
12. Generate code using Google Apps Script or Python (for IT)
Google Apps Script (on Google Sheets)
You can use Google's Chart API to generate Code 128 barcodes directly in Google Sheets without the need for an Add-on.
Sample formula in Google Sheets:
excel
=IMAGE("https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?chs=200x100&cht=ean13&chl="&A2)
Or use Code 128:
excel
=IMAGE("https://barcode.tec-it.com/barcode.ashx?data="&A2&"&code=Code128")
Advantage: Runs directly on Google Sheets, easy to share, no additional installation required
Application: generate code from product list, export to PDF
Python (standalone script)
Library 1: python-barcode:Support EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 128, ISBN...Export PNG, SVG images
Setting:
bash
pip install python-barcode
Example of generating Code 128:
python
import barcode
from barcode.writer import ImageWriter
code = barcode.get('code128', 'ICHECK123456', writer=ImageWriter())
code.save("barcode_icheck")
13. Tips for using barcodes effectively & avoiding common mistakes
Use the correct barcode font(like Free 3 of 9, Code 128), do not use regular font; with Code 39 need to add accents*at the beginning and end of the code.
Make sure image ≥ 300 DPI, prefer PNG, SVG or PDF format for clear printing.
Do not stretch or crop images in the wrong aspect ratio., avoid distorting the code causing scanning errors.
Test code before mass printing using scanner and app to ensure stable reading.
Conclude
Creating barcodes is no longer a complicated task. Whether you are a small individual seller, a business that needs to print labels or a system integrator programmer – there is a suitable solution. With free tools like iCheckQR, Excel, Google Sheets or specialized software, you can create barcodes quickly, accurately, easy to print and easy to scan. Choose the method that suits your needs to save time, costs and ensure efficiency when using barcodes in practice.
