Barcode Format Selection Guide

Barcode Format Selection Guide

Not sure which barcode format to use? This guide helps you pick the right one.


Quick Decision Guide

Do you sell on Amazon, Walmart, or Google Shopping? → You need a real GTIN (UPC, EAN, or ISBN). BarcodeMan cannot generate these. You must purchase them from  GS1 .
Do you only sell in your own store (Shopify / Wix)? → Use CODE128. It works with any text or number, and is the most flexible format.
Do you already have barcodes on your products? → Check what format they are (count the digits), then select the matching format in BarcodeMan.


Barcode Formats Explained

Format
Digits
Best For
Notes
CODE128
Any length
Internal use, POS, inventory
Most flexible. Works with letters and numbers. Recommended for most users.
EAN-13
13 digits
International retail (Europe, Asia)
Must be exactly 13 digits. Requires a GS1-registered number.
UPC-A
12 digits
US/Canada retail
Must be exactly 12 digits. Requires a GS1-registered number.
EAN-8
8 digits
Small products (international)
Short version of EAN-13. Also requires GS1 registration.
UPC-E
6-8 digits
Small products (US/Canada)
Compressed version of UPC-A.
CODE39
Any length
Industrial, logistics
Letters and numbers. Wider barcodes than CODE128.
ISBN
10 or 13 digits
Books only
International Standard Book Number.
GS1-128
Variable
Shipping, logistics
Advanced format with Application Identifiers.


Common Scenarios

"I just want barcodes for my POS system"

Use CODE128 format. Then use the Assign button in BarcodeMan to generate 13-digit numbers for your products.
Steps:
    Go to Product Labels page
    Select your products
    Click Assign... → Field: barcode → Option: 13-digit number
    In your label template, set the barcode format to CODE128

"I need barcodes for Amazon / Google Shopping"

BarcodeMan's generated numbers are not GTINs. You need to:
    Purchase UPC or EAN codes from  GS1  or an authorized reseller
    Enter them in your Shopify product's Barcode field
    In BarcodeMan, the barcode values will be pulled automatically

"I have existing UPC/EAN codes"

If your products already have UPC or EAN codes in Shopify:
    Make sure the values are in the Barcode field in Shopify admin
    In your BarcodeMan template, set barcode format to EAN-13 (for 13 digits) or UPC-A (for 12 digits)
    The barcode image will be generated automatically

"My barcode won't generate / shows an error"

This usually means the barcode value doesn't match the format:
  • EAN-13 needs exactly 12 or 13 digits
  • UPC-A needs exactly 12 digits
  • UPC-E needs number system 0 or 1
Fix: Switch to CODE128 format, which accepts any value.


Important Notes

  • The 13-digit and 8-digit numbers generated by BarcodeMan are random numbers for internal use only. They are not real EAN, UPC, ISBN, or GTIN codes.
  • If you use BarcodeMan's generated numbers, always use CODE128 as the barcode format.
  • 13-digit numbers are recommended over 8-digit because they are more unique (8-digit may have duplicates).


How to Change Barcode Format in Template

    In the template editor, select the Barcode element on the canvas.
    In the properties panel, find the Barcode Type setting.
    Choose the format you need.

Tips

  • You can show or hide the barcode text below the barcode image.
  • You can adjust the text size and the gap between the barcode and the text.
  • EAN-13 and UPC-A require a specific number of digits. If your data has the wrong count, the barcode won't render correctly.