Code 39 Barcode Generator
Generate Code 39 barcodes for labels and forms
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Code 39 Barcode Generated!
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Free Code 39 Barcode Generator - Legacy Standard for Universal Compatibility
What is Code 39?
Code 39 (also known as Code 3 of 9) is one of the oldest and most widely supported barcode symbologies. It encodes uppercase letters (A-Z), digits (0-9), and special characters (-, ., $, /, +, %, space).
Despite being less efficient than Code 128, Code 39 remains popular in industries like automotive, healthcare, defense, and logistics due to its simplicity and universal scanner support.
Key Features
- Alphanumeric - Letters, numbers, symbols
- Self-Checking - No checksum required
- Universal Support - All scanners
- Variable Length - Flexible data size
- Simple Encoding - Easy implementation
- Free - No registration required
How to Generate Code 39 Barcode
- Enter Data - Type uppercase letters, numbers, or allowed symbols (automatically converted to uppercase).
- Adjust Size - Set bar width (1-10px) and height (20-200px) for your application.
- Generate - Click the button to create your barcode instantly.
- Download - Save as PNG for printing or integration.
- Test Scan - Always verify barcode readability before production use.
Character Limitation: Code 39 only supports uppercase A-Z, 0-9, and special characters (- . $ / + % space). Lowercase letters and other symbols are not supported. All input is automatically converted to uppercase.
Code 39 Barcode Use Cases
Healthcare & Government
- Patient Identification - Hospital wristbands
- Medical Records - File tracking systems
- Lab Samples - Specimen identification
- Military - LOGMARS standard (DoD)
- Government Assets - Equipment tracking
- Pharmaceuticals - Batch and lot numbers
Manufacturing & Automotive
- Automotive Industry - AIAG standard parts
- Assembly Lines - Component tracking
- Quality Control - Inspection labels
- Inventory Management - Warehouse systems
- Asset Tagging - Equipment and tools
- Library Systems - Book and media tracking
Best Practices for Code 39
Do's
- Use uppercase letters only (A-Z)
- Keep data concise (Code 39 is wide)
- Allow adequate quiet zones (margins)
- Test with your specific scanner
- Use bar width 2-3px for labels
Don'ts
- Don't use lowercase letters (unsupported)
- Avoid very long data strings (inefficient)
- Don't ignore quiet zone requirements
- Avoid special characters not listed
- Don't make barcodes too small
Code 39 vs Code 128: While Code 128 is more efficient and compact, Code 39 is simpler, requires no checksum, and has universal legacy support. Use Code 39 for systems requiring maximum compatibility or when mandated by industry standards (LOGMARS, AIAG).
Industry Standards:
Code 39 is mandatory for US Department of Defense (LOGMARS) and widely used in automotive (AIAG). For general use, consider Code 128 for better efficiency. For healthcare and government compliance, Code 39 remains the standard!