Shopify Barcode Generator — Free Barcodes for Your Shopify Store
Create free barcodes for your Shopify products in seconds — no app install, no signup, no cost. Generate Code 128 or EAN-13 barcodes that work with Shopify POS scanners and inventory management. Download as PNG or SVG and print on any label sheet.
Format
How to Add Barcodes to Shopify Products
- Generate your barcode here. Enter a value — your SKU, product code, or any number string — select Code 128 or EAN-13, and click Generate. Download the PNG.
- Open Shopify Admin. Go to your Shopify Admin dashboard and navigate to Products in the left sidebar.
- Click the product you want to label. Scroll down to the Inventory section within the product page.
- Enter the barcode value. Find the field labeled Barcode (ISBN, UPC, GTIN, etc.) and enter the same value you encoded in the barcode above. Shopify stores this value and uses it for POS lookup.
- Save the product. Click Save. The barcode value is now linked to this product variant in Shopify.
- Print and apply labels. Insert your downloaded PNG into a label template, print on adhesive label stock, and apply to your product packaging.
Which Barcode Format for Shopify?
Shopify accepts several barcode formats in its product variant barcode field. Here is when to use each:
| Format | Digits | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| EAN-13 | 13 | International retail; best choice for global Shopify stores |
| UPC-A | 12 | US and Canada retail; required for US marketplace listings |
| Code 128 | Variable | Internal POS and warehouse use; encodes SKUs and alphanumeric codes |
Recommendation: Use EAN-13 for any product you may sell outside your own Shopify store. Use Code 128 if you only need barcodes for Shopify POS scanning and internal inventory management and want maximum flexibility with your barcode values.
Shopify POS Barcode Scanning
Shopify POS supports barcode scanning in two ways:
- Dedicated barcode scanner: Connect a USB or Bluetooth 1D/2D barcode scanner to the device running Shopify POS. When you scan a product barcode, Shopify instantly looks up the matching product variant and adds it to the cart.
- Camera scanning: The Shopify POS app on iOS and Android supports camera-based barcode scanning. Tap the barcode icon in the POS interface, point the camera at the label, and the product is added automatically.
- Label printing: Print barcode labels on a thermal label printer (Zebra, Brother, Dymo) or standard laser/inkjet printer using Avery label sheets. Shopify also offers a native label printing feature in its admin for supported hardware.
- Compatible scanners: Any HID-compliant USB barcode scanner works with Shopify POS on desktop. For mobile POS, Bluetooth scanners paired via the Shopify Hardware store are recommended for the most reliable experience.
Do You Need GS1 Barcodes for Shopify?
GS1 is the international organization that issues globally unique barcode numbers (GTINs). Here is when GS1 membership matters for Shopify merchants:
- Selling on Amazon or Walmart: Both marketplaces require GS1-issued GTINs to list products. Shopify itself does not verify GTIN ownership, but the marketplace integration will reject non-GS1 barcodes.
- Retail distribution: If your products will be sold through physical retail stores with point-of-sale systems, retailers typically require GS1-registered EAN or UPC barcodes.
- POS-only or internal use: If you only need barcodes for your own Shopify POS, warehouse scanning, or inventory management within your own store, GS1 registration is not required. Free barcodes generated here work perfectly for these use cases.
- GS1 membership cost: GS1 membership fees vary by country and company size. In the US, GS1 US charges an initial fee of $250 and an annual renewal fee of $50 for a block of 10 GTINs. For small Shopify stores selling through their own channel, this cost is often unnecessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Shopify require barcodes?▾
Shopify does not require barcodes to list or sell products. However, barcodes are strongly recommended if you use Shopify POS for in-person sales, sell on the Shopify marketplace, or integrate with third-party fulfillment services. Adding a barcode to each product variant also makes inventory counting faster and more accurate.
What barcode format does Shopify use?▾
Shopify accepts UPC (12 digits), EAN-13 (13 digits), ISBN (13 digits), and GTIN in the barcode field of each product variant. For general-purpose internal labeling and Shopify POS scanning, Code 128 is also widely used. If you plan to sell through retail channels or marketplaces, EAN-13 or UPC-A are the standard choices.
Can I use free barcodes on Shopify?▾
Yes. For internal use — such as Shopify POS scanning, warehouse picking, and inventory management within your own store — you can use any barcode value you choose, including free ones generated here. GS1-issued barcodes are only required if you intend to sell through third-party retailers, Amazon, Walmart, or other marketplaces that verify GS1 ownership.
How to print barcode labels for Shopify?▾
Generate your barcode here and download it as a PNG. You can then insert the PNG into a label template in Word, Google Docs, Canva, or a dedicated label design app such as Avery Design & Print. Print on standard Avery label sheets (2" x 1" or 1.5" x 0.5" are common choices for product labels) using a laser or thermal label printer for best results.
Do I need GS1 for Shopify?▾
GS1-issued barcodes are not required for selling on Shopify itself. You only need GS1 barcodes if you want to list products on third-party marketplaces (Amazon, Walmart, Target) that require verified GTINs, or if your products will be scanned at major retail point-of-sale systems. For a self-hosted Shopify store with your own POS, free barcodes work perfectly.
Can Shopify POS scan barcodes?▾
Yes. Shopify POS supports barcode scanning via a compatible Bluetooth or USB barcode scanner, or using the camera on a supported iOS or Android device running the Shopify POS app. The scanner reads the barcode value and looks up the matching product variant in your Shopify inventory. Code 128, EAN-13, and UPC-A are all supported.