Free Barcode Generator & Scanner: Complete Guide for 2026

Barcodes are everywhere — retail shelves, shipping labels, library books, event tickets. Whether you need to scan a barcode from an image or generate one for your own product, the Quill Tools Barcode Tool handles both for free in your browser.

Barcodes vs QR Codes

Traditional barcodes (1D) encode data in parallel lines of varying widths — like UPC on grocery products. They hold limited data (typically 8–80 characters). QR codes (2D) store data in a grid of black and white squares, holding thousands of characters. Both are "barcodes" in the general sense, but they serve different purposes:

• 1D barcodes (EAN, UPC, Code 128) — Point-of-sale retail, logistics, library inventory, shipping labels
• QR codes — Web links, contact sharing, marketing, Wi-Fi credentials, payment systems

Supported Barcode Formats

• Code 128 — High-density, compact. Used in logistics and shipping worldwide.
• Code 39 — Alphanumeric. Older standard used in automotive and defence industries.
• EAN-13 — 13-digit product codes used in European and international retail.
• EAN-8 — Compact 8-digit version for small packages.
• UPC-A — 12-digit codes used in North American retail.
• UPC-E — Compact 6-digit version of UPC-A for small items.
• ITF — Interleaved 2-of-5. Used for cartons and outer packaging.

How to Generate a Barcode

1. Open Quill Tools Barcode Tool.
2. Select the barcode format (Code 128 is the most versatile choice).
3. Enter your data — the exact characters you want encoded.
4. Customise the width, height, and display options.
5. Download as PNG or SVG for print-quality output.

How to Scan a Barcode

1. Switch to the Scanner tab in Barcode Tool.
2. Upload an image containing a barcode, or use your device camera for live scanning.
3. The decoded value appears instantly below the image.

Frequently Asked Questions

What barcode formats are supported?

Quill Tools supports Code 128, Code 39, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, and ITF for both scanning and generation.

Can I scan barcodes from my phone camera?

Yes. The barcode scanner works with live camera input on mobile devices as well as uploaded images.

Generate and scan barcodes for free at Quill Tools Barcode Tool.