Why is my text converted to uppercase?

Standard Code 39 has no lower case. Use Code 128 when you need mixed case.

Do I need the asterisks?

They are start and stop characters and are added automatically; do not type them yourself.

Should I still choose Code 39 today?

Only when an existing system requires it. For new projects Code 128 is smaller and more capable.

Code 39 Generator

Code 39 is one of the oldest barcode symbologies and is read by practically every scanner ever built – which is exactly why it survives in maintenance, defence and asset management.

Which barcodes do you need?

Tell us what you do and we'll point you to the right barcode type and workflow.

Try it right here

Losse barcode genereren

Directe invoer voor één code – live voorbeeld, download als PNG of SVG. Alles lokaal.

SymbologieGegevensVoorbeeld – typ je eigen gegevens

Hoofdletters A–Z, cijfers en - . $ / + % spatie.

Leesbare tekst tonen

Voorbeeld

ART4711

Code 39 at a glance

Character set: 0–9, A–Z, space and - . $ / + %.
Every symbol starts and ends with an asterisk delimiter.
Self-checking; a check digit (modulo 43) is optional.
Roughly 30% wider than Code 128 for the same data.

Create a Code 39 barcode

Enter uppercase letters and digits – lower case is not supported.
Check the preview.
Download SVG or PNG.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my text converted to uppercase?: Standard Code 39 has no lower case. Use Code 128 when you need mixed case.
Do I need the asterisks?: They are start and stop characters and are added automatically; do not type them yourself.
Should I still choose Code 39 today?: Only when an existing system requires it. For new projects Code 128 is smaller and more capable.

Standards and official sources

These links point to the official GS1 and ISO specifications this generator follows. They open in a new tab on the standards bodies' own websites.