Which barcode format should I use for a Saudi retail store?

EAN13 if you sell internationally (you need to register with GS1 KSA for a unique company prefix). CODE128 if it's only internal stock tracking with no external sales.

How do I get an official EAN13 code?

Contact GS1 KSA (gs1ksa.org). Official barcodes start with 590 and give you a globally-unique company prefix. Snad's tool produces a technically-valid barcode for internal use and testing.

What's the difference between barcode and QR Code?

Barcode is one-dimensional, stores short text, and is read fast by a laser scanner. QR Code is two-dimensional, stores longer text, and is read by a phone camera. Use barcode for prices and stock; use QR for links and rich data.

Can I print and stick the barcode on a product?

Yes. Download SVG for ideal print quality at any size. Minimum recommended width: 1.5 cm; 2 cm for EAN13. Keep a white quiet zone around the barcode.

Why am I seeing 'invalid data' for EAN13?

EAN13 needs 12 or 13 digits (no letters). If you provide 13, the last digit must be the correct check digit; otherwise the tool rejects it. Provide 12 and we'll compute the last digit for you.

Can I print a coloured barcode?

Technically yes, but not recommended. Scanners need high contrast (black on white). Colours may fail on cheap scanners. Stick to black + white for maximum reliability.

Free Barcode Generator | EAN-13 & CODE128 — Snad

How does it work?

A barcode is a visual encoding of data as bars of varying width, read by a laser scanner or camera. It powers retail, warehouses, asset tracking, ticketing, and shipping. The difference vs. QR Code: barcode is one-dimensional and stores numbers or short text (5-30 characters typically).

Formats supported

CODE128: most flexible — accepts numbers and letters. Great for inventory and shipping.
EAN13: 13 digits, the international consumer-product standard (590- prefix is Saudi Arabia).
EAN8: 8 digits, the short EAN13 variant for very small items.
UPC: 12 digits, used in North America for consumer products.
CODE39: numbers and uppercase letters; common in industrial and government applications.
ITF14: 14 digits, for shipping cartons and trade units.

Check digit

EAN13, EAN8, UPC, and ITF14 carry a mathematically-derived check digit (the last digit) computed from the others. The tool calculates it automatically if you enter 12 digits in EAN13, or validates it if you provide 13. The check digit guards against scanning errors.

Use cases

Retail: a price label on every item in EAN13 or UPC.
Warehouses: tracking cartons and SKUs in CODE128.
Employee or membership cards in CODE128.
Event tickets and reservation slips.
Shipping labels in ITF14.

Barcode Generator

Do this every day? Snad automates it for you.

How does it work?

Formats supported

Check digit

Use cases

Frequently Asked Questions

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