data string required Payload to encode. For type=ean13: 13 digits with a valid check digit, or 12 digits to have it computed and appended. For type=code128: 1–40 characters of printable ASCII (space–~).
allowed: ≤ 40
example: data=5901234123457
Barcode Generator API
REAL DATAReal, scannable SVG barcodes — EAN-13 with automatic check digits and Code 128 set B. Custom height, optional label, deterministic and safe to hotlink.
Authoritative reference data or standards computation
- Base URL
- /api/barcodes
- Category
- Design & Media
- Capabilities
- 1 route
- Last updated
- July 29, 2026
GET /api/barcodes/image
Returns the barcode itself (image/svg+xml), not JSON. EAN-13 validates (or computes) the check digit; Code 128 encodes printable ASCII in set B with its check symbol.
Route reference
Code samples Ready-to-copy requests in 4 languages
Parameters Route-specific request inputs 4
| Parameter | Type | Default & allowed | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
data
required
| string | allowed: ≤ 40 example: 5901234123457 | Payload to encode. For type=ean13: 13 digits with a valid check digit, or 12 digits to have it computed and appended. For type=code128: 1–40 characters of printable ASCII (space–~). |
type | enum | default: ean13 allowed: ean13 | code128 example: code128 | Symbology: 'ean13' = retail product codes (L/G/R patterns, mod-10 check digit), 'code128' = free-text code set B with mod-103 check symbol. |
height | int | default: 120 allowed: 40 – 400 example: 200 | Bar height in pixels (40–400). The image is 24 px taller when showText=true. |
showText | boolean | default: true example: false | Print the encoded value under the bars in a monospace font. For EAN-13 the label is always the full 13 digits, including a computed check digit. |
type enum Symbology: 'ean13' = retail product codes (L/G/R patterns, mod-10 check digit), 'code128' = free-text code set B with mod-103 check symbol.
default: ean13
allowed: ean13 | code128
example: type=code128
height int Bar height in pixels (40–400). The image is 24 px taller when showText=true.
default: 120
allowed: 40 – 400
example: height=200
showText boolean Print the encoded value under the bars in a monospace font. For EAN-13 the label is always the full 13 digits, including a computed check digit.
default: true
example: showText=false
Documented examples
Build-generated requests and complete responses 3 EAN-13 retail barcode /api/barcodes/image?data=5901234123457
12 digits — the check digit is computed for you /api/barcodes/image?data=590123412345&height=160
Code 128 asset tag, bars only /api/barcodes/image?data=INV-2024-0042&type=code128&showText=false
About this API
Coverage & behavior
Returns an actual SVG barcode (Content-Type: image/svg+xml) — a real, scannable encoding, not decorative stripes. Drop it into an <img src>, a label template or a test fixture.
Two symbologies:
- EAN-13 (default) — the retail barcode.
datamust be 13 digits with a valid mod-10 check digit, or 12 digits to have the check digit computed and appended for you (it then appears in the label). A wrong 13th digit is a 400 that tells you the expected digit — never a silently broken barcode. Bars use the genuine L/G/R pattern tables with first-digit parity selection: 95 modules — start/center/end guards plus twelve 7-module digit symbols. - Code 128, set B (
type=code128) — free text: 1–40 characters of printable ASCII (space to~). Encoded with the Start B code, the mod-103 check symbol and the 13-module stop pattern, exactly as scanners expect.
Rendering: black bars on a white background at 2 px per module with 10-module quiet zones on both sides, so the image width follows the data length. height sets the bar height (40–400 px); showText=true (default) prints the encoded value under the bars in a monospace font and adds 24 px to the image height. The output is fully deterministic — the same URL returns a byte-identical SVG forever and is served with long cache headers, so it is safe to hotlink.
Use it for
- Product packaging mockups and shelf-label designs that need a scannable EAN-13
- Fixtures for testing barcode-scanner and POS integrations without a label printer
- Code 128 asset tags for inventory sheets, badges and internal tools
Frequently asked questions
Are the barcodes actually scannable?
Yes — bar widths follow the real EAN-13 and Code 128 encoding tables and EAN-13 check digits are computed correctly, so a phone scanner reads them.
Can I encode my own value?
Yes — pass data and pick type=ean13 or type=code128; the barcode encodes exactly that value.
What image format is returned?
Crisp SVG that scales without blurring; height and showText control the bar height and the human-readable line.
Standards & references
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