Last updated October 13, 2026 · Report an error
Code 39 is one of the oldest and most widely supported barcode formats, readable by virtually every barcode scanner without special configuration.
This generator encodes your text into a scannable Code 39 barcode as a scalable SVG image.
How it works
Enter the text you want to encode (digits, uppercase letters, space, and dash). The generator adds the required start/stop characters, then converts each character into its standard Code 39 pattern of 5 bars and 4 spaces — 3 of which are wide and the rest narrow — and renders the result as an SVG.
- Type the text you want to encode (digits, uppercase letters, space, and dash).
- Generate the barcode.
- Copy the SVG or download it for printing or scanning.
Examples
ABC123
Encoding "ABC123" produces a scannable Code 39 barcode with start and stop asterisks automatically added around your data.
Who should use it
- Generating barcodes for inventory tracking, asset labels, or internal tracking systems.
- Creating a printable barcode for a small business or hobby project without specialized software.
Industry applications
- Inventory management and retail
- Warehousing and asset tracking
Advantages
- Produces a genuinely standard-compliant, scannable Code 39 barcode.
- Outputs a scalable SVG rather than a fixed-resolution raster image.
Limitations
- Limited to the Code 39 format and a restricted character set (no lowercase or extended symbols).
Common mistakes to avoid
- Entering lowercase letters or unsupported symbols, which this generator's character set doesn't include.
- Printing the barcode too small — very small barcodes can become difficult for scanners to read reliably.
Best practices
- Print or display the barcode at a reasonable size and with good contrast (black bars on white background) for the most reliable scanning.
Tips
- Code 39 is widely used in non-retail settings (like inventory and ID badges) because it doesn't require a check digit and is easy to print with basic equipment — for retail product barcodes, UPC or EAN formats are the actual industry standard.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, with no signup and no limit on how many barcodes you generate.
Each character's pattern has exactly 9 elements (5 bars and 4 spaces), of which exactly 3 are "wide" — that 3-of-9 structure is where the name comes from.
This generator supports digits 0-9, uppercase letters A-Z, space, and dash — the most commonly used subset of the full Code 39 character set.
Yes — it follows the standard Code 39 specification exactly, including the required start/stop characters, so it should scan correctly with any standard barcode reader.