Inventory and SKU Barcode Generator

Set up barcodes for your stock, bins and shelves. Make SKU barcodes in bulk, number your bin locations, and print everything on labels, without buying label software.

Opening a CSV lets you pick the column. Pasting a column from Excel or Google Sheets works too.

Your barcodes

    Colours

    Dark bars on a light background scan best. Most scanners use red light, so red, orange and yellow bars read as blank.

    A simple barcode setup for small businesses

    1. Give every product a SKU. A short code you control, like MUG-NVY-12. Your inventory app, Shopify or spreadsheet stores it.
    2. Barcode the SKUs with Code 128. Paste your SKU list here and download, or print labels directly.
    3. Barcode your locations. Label shelves and bins with codes like A-01-03 (aisle, bay, shelf). Scanning a location and then a product makes stock counts and put-away much faster.
    4. Get a scanner. Any USB or Bluetooth scanner that acts as a keyboard types the code into your app or spreadsheet. Phone cameras work too, with the right app.

    Which barcode type for inventory?

    • Code 128 for almost everything: SKUs, bins, totes, pallets. Compact, and takes letters and numbers.
    • Code 39 if older software or a customer requires it.
    • Data Matrix for tiny parts or when you need a lot of data in a small square.
    • UPC/EAN only for finished retail products with GS1 numbers. Don't invent UPCs for internal stock.

    Numbering bins and locations

    Click Make a number sequence to build runs like BIN-0001 to BIN-0500. For aisle-bay-shelf codes, build one aisle at a time (prefix A-01-, 2 digits) and add the next aisle below.

    Tips from warehouses

    • Use the same code format everywhere and make every code unique.
    • Use a wider bar width (0.5 mm) and taller bars for shelf labels scanned from a distance.
    • Use polyester or laminated labels in cold rooms, outdoors or where labels get handled a lot.
    • Print the human-readable text. When a label gets damaged, people can still type the code.
    Container cranes at the Port of Southampton
    Container cranes at the Port of Southampton.

    Questions

    • Code 128 for most stock and location labels. It holds letters and numbers, is compact and every scanner reads it.

    • Only for retail products that already have GS1 UPCs. For internal stock, bins and parts, use your own SKUs in Code 128.

    • Yes. Copy your SKU column here, download or print the barcodes, and a USB scanner will type each code into the sheet when scanned.