Code 128 Barcode Generator — High Density Alphanumeric
Generate compact Code 128 barcodes for packaging, logistics, shipping labels, and internal inventory.
Barcode Generator
Preview ↓High-density alphanumeric linear barcode for shipping, inventory, and packaging.
SVG is recommended for physical printing. PNG is ready for digital usage.
Generated entirely in your browser without network requests. Renders standard symbology geometry locally — creating a barcode image does not issue, register, or license a GS1 identifier.
How to Use
- Enter your alphanumeric text, part number, or serial code into the data input field.
- The live preview renders your Code 128 symbol in real-time.
- Optionally adjust module scale, bar height, quiet zone padding, or colors under Appearance Settings.
- Click 'Download SVG' for vector print packaging or 'Download PNG' for digital records.
About This Format
Code 128 is a high-density, variable-length linear barcode standard defined in ISO/IEC 15417. It can encode all 128 ASCII characters using three distinct character subsets (A, B, and C), including alphanumeric text, punctuation, and numeric pairs. Code 128 is the industry standard for logistics tracking, inventory management, and shipping container labeling. Note: This tool renders standard Code 128 symbology; it does not format GS1-128 Application Identifiers.
Validation & Technical Constraints
- Supports standard 7-bit ASCII characters (0 to 127).
- Variable length: payload can range from 1 character up to physical scanner scan width limits.
- Automatic internal Modulo-103 check character is computed and embedded in the symbol.
Examples
Inventory Asset Tag
PROD-2026-X1
Logistics Tracking Number
SHIP-99482-US
Serial Number
SN-987214-B
Frequently Asked Questions
Code 128 is significantly denser than Code 39, meaning it takes up less horizontal space for the same data. It also supports lowercase letters and all 128 ASCII characters natively, whereas standard Code 39 only supports uppercase alphanumeric characters and a few symbols. Read our detailed Code 128 vs. Code 39 comparison guide (/learn/code-128-vs-code-39) to learn how numeric compaction and density affect label printing.
Yes. Code 128 includes an internal Modulo-103 check character calculated automatically and placed before the stop character. It is read by scanners to guarantee transmission integrity but is typically not shown in human-readable text.
Code 128 is standard for carton labels, warehouse inventory, and logistics. For point-of-sale retail checkout, retailers usually require EAN-13 or UPC-A GTIN barcodes.