Code 128 generator
The most compact one-dimensional code for arbitrary text/digits — the workhorse of logistics and internal systems.
Screen settings
Colors apply to every export. The scan check re-decodes the recolored code, so a low-contrast combination fails honestly — dark bars on a light background scan best.
PNG/JPG export in high resolution, SVG for websites — and the PDF is true vector in RGB: sharp at any size, right for documents and office printers.
About Code 128
Code 128 encodes the full ASCII character set and switches automatically between character sets to stay as compact as possible. It has a built-in checksum and is the default choice when you need to encode free text, item numbers or serial numbers in an internal workflow.
For GS1-structured data (with application identifiers like (01), (10), (17)) — use the GS1-128 variant instead.
Used for
- Internal item and serial numbers
- Shipping labels and warehouse locations
- Tickets, membership cards, document management
Frequently asked questions
Code 128 or Code 39 — which should I choose?
Code 128, virtually always: it is denser, has a checksum and encodes more characters. Choose Code 39 only when a legacy system requires it.
How tall should the code be?
Rule of thumb: at least 15% of the code width, and never below 6–10 mm if it will be hand-scanned.