Standard sizes
| Barcode | Standard (100%) size | Allowed range |
|---|---|---|
| UPC-A / EAN-13 | 37.29 × 25.93 mm (1.469 × 1.02 in) | 80% to 200% |
| EAN-8 | 26.73 × 21.31 mm | 80% to 200% |
| ITF-14 | Larger. Sized for cartons, often printed at 50%–100% of its 152 × 41 mm nominal size | Check your printer's spec |
| Code 128 / Code 39 | No fixed size; width grows with the data | Keep bars at least 0.25 mm wide for most scanners |
Retail sizes follow the GS1 General Specifications. If a retailer gives you its own spec, follow that.
Don't cut the height
Designers often shorten barcodes to save space ("truncating"). Short barcodes are hard to scan because the scanner has to hit them dead-on. Keep the full height wherever you can.
Leave the quiet zone clear
Every barcode needs blank space on the left and right, called the quiet zone. For UPC-A that's at least 9 bar-widths on each side; for EAN-13 it's 11 on the left and 7 on the right. Our downloads include a margin, but keep text, borders and package edges away from the bars when you place them.
Colours that scan
- Best: black bars on white.
- Usually fine: dark blue, dark green or dark brown bars on white, cream or yellow backgrounds.
- Avoid: red, orange or light-coloured bars (they disappear under red scanner light), dark backgrounds, and metallic or glossy foils.
Printer tips
- Use the SVG in design tools like Illustrator, Canva or Affinity. It stays perfectly sharp.
- For PNGs, print at 100% scale and turn off "fit to page".
- Thermal label printers: match the PNG to the label size rather than letting the driver stretch it.
- Print a test page on plain paper before using label sheets.
Frequently asked questions
What's the smallest UPC barcode I can print?
80% of the standard size, about 29.8 × 20.7 mm (1.175 × 0.816 in). Smaller codes may not scan at checkouts.
Can I put a barcode on a curved surface?
Yes, but turn it so the bars run around the curve (like rungs of a ladder) on tight curves such as small bottles. That keeps the scan line flat.