What is Code 39?

Code 39, also called Code 3 of 9, is a linear barcode that encodes 43 characters: the capital letters A to Z, the digits 0 to 9, the space and the symbols - . $ / + %. Each character is made of nine bars and spaces, three of them wide, and an asterisk marks the start and the end. It needs no check digit, as every character checks itself. Code 39 is less dense than Code 128, but nearly every scanner reads it, and it's used on ID badges, in the automotive industry, by the US Department of Defense and in healthcare.

Tool description

Type text and the tool draws its Code 39 barcode as you type, with the start and stop asterisks added for you. Lowercase letters become capitals, as Code 39 has none. Change the bar and background colors, hide the text under the bars if you don't need it, and download the barcode as a PNG, JPG or WebP image.

Features

  • 43 characters - capital letters, digits, spaces and - . $ / + %
  • Start and stop characters - added around the text
  • Custom colors - any color for the bars and the background
  • Image download - PNG, JPG or WebP

Tips

  • The asterisk is kept for the start and stop characters, so it can't be part of the text.
  • Code 39 barcodes get long quickly. For long text, or text with lowercase letters, Code 128 makes a shorter barcode.
  • Keep dark bars on a light background, and leave blank space on both sides of the barcode when you print it.