Why use Code 128
Code 128 can encode all 128 ASCII characters: upper and lower case letters, digits, spaces and punctuation. It is dense, so it fits more data into less width than Code 39, and nearly every scanner reads it out of the box. That makes it the default choice for shipping labels, warehouse locations, stock and SKU labels, asset tags and tickets.
The Code 128 barcode generator picks the best character set as you type. Set A covers capitals and control characters, set B covers upper and lower case, and set C packs two digits into each symbol, so long numbers come out much shorter. A mod 103 check character is added automatically.
How to create a Code 128 barcode
- Choose Code 128 in the generator.
- Type your value, such as a SKU, order number or location code like A-04-12.
- Check the preview width. Shorter values and all-digit values give a more compact barcode.
- Download SVG for label software and print, or PNG for documents and spreadsheets.
- Print a sample and scan it with your own scanner before you print a batch.
GS1-128, UCC-128 and SSCC labels
GS1-128, once called UCC-128 or EAN-128, is Code 128 with a special start character and data in a fixed structure. Each piece of data starts with an application identifier in brackets, such as (00) for an 18-digit SSCC pallet number, (01) for a GTIN, (10) for a batch and (17) for an expiry date.
Our generator makes standard Code 128. Full GS1-128 formatting with application identifiers is not a dedicated option yet, so it is not the right tool for SSCC pallet labels that a retailer's distribution centre will validate. For general text, internal shipping, inventory and asset labels, plain Code 128 is what you want.
Printing tips for Code 128
- Leave a quiet zone of at least ten bar widths of white space on each side.
- Keep bars at least 6 mm tall for handheld scanners, taller for scanning at a distance.
- Use black on white. Thermal label printers give the sharpest edges.
- Do not stretch a PNG after download. Use SVG if you need to resize.
Code 128 in spreadsheets and label software
Code 128 barcode fonts exist, but they do not work like Code 39 fonts. Code 128 needs a calculated check character and set switches, so typing plain text in a 128 font gives a code that will not scan. You need a macro or add-in to encode it first. Downloading the barcode image from here skips that step: every file is already encoded and checked.
For a column of SKUs in Excel, make each barcode here and insert the PNG next to its row. Our barcode label generator page explains the Excel, Word and Google Sheets steps.
