Code 128 Barcode Generator
Generate Code 128 barcodes for logistics, inventory and shipping labels. Alphanumeric, compact, industry-standard.
Last updated: April 2026 · Runs in your browser · No sign-up
Where Code 128 shines
Pallet labels, shipping manifests, inventory bins, patient wristbands, airline baggage tags. Any time you need to pack an alphanumeric identifier into a scannable code and the data volume rules out a QR or 2D code.
Print quality tips
- Keep the X-dimension (narrowest bar) ≥0.25 mm for thermal printers.
- Quiet zone of 10× X-dimension on each side.
- Include human-readable text below the bars for manual fallback.
Frequently Asked Questions
What characters does Code 128 support?
All 128 ASCII characters — digits, upper and lower case letters, punctuation and control codes. Unicode (non-ASCII) isn't part of the standard.
Which subset should I use?
Most generators auto-switch. Subset A handles uppercase + controls, B handles upper+lower+digits, C compresses pairs of digits (best for numeric-heavy data like order IDs).
How does it compare to Code 39?
Code 128 is more compact (about 30% smaller for the same data) and supports lowercase. Code 39 is simpler and more forgiving of poor print quality but older.
Does it include a checksum?
Yes. Code 128 requires a mod-103 check digit, which this generator calculates automatically. Scanners verify it and reject misprints.