Periodical identification

Create Your Barcode

Enter data, then download.

Data

Format: ISSN format XXXX-XXXX (with check)

Barcode Types

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Linear Codes

Code 2 of 5 Family

EAN / UPC

2D Codes

GS1 DataBar

GS1 & GS1 Composite

HIBC (Health Industry)

Postal Codes

Pharmaceutical

Periodical identification

Data Input

Enter data, then download.

Data

Format: ISSN format XXXX-XXXX (with check)

About the ISSN Barcode

The ISSN barcode belongs to the EAN / UPC family. Periodical identification. On this page you can generate ISSN barcodes directly in your browser: enter your data, watch the preview update in real time, then download the finished symbol as PNG or SVG. Rendering happens locally on your device — nothing you type is ever uploaded to a server.

EAN and UPC are the retail barcodes managed by GS1. Every product code ends with a check digit computed with the GS1 mod-10 algorithm, so a mistyped number is rejected instead of silently pointing at another product. UPC-A is used in North America, EAN-13 across Europe and most of the world, and the compact UPC-E and EAN-8 variants exist for small packages. The first product ever scanned with a retail barcode was a pack of Wrigley’s chewing gum in 1974.

ISSN codes are used for retail products, groceries, books, and anything sold at a point of sale. Because the data is fixed inside the symbol at generation time, a printed ISSN barcode keeps working indefinitely — there is no service behind it, no expiry date, and no per-scan fee.

ISSN Data Format & Rules

Input format: ISSN format XXXX-XXXX (with check)

Example data: 0317-8595

Validation: the generator checks your input against the ISSN specification and reports errors before rendering, so you never download a symbol that cannot scan.

Quiet zone: keep a clear margin around the printed symbol — readers use it to find the start and stop patterns.

ISSN Barcode — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the ISSN barcode generator free?

Yes. You can generate and download ISSN barcodes for free, with no sign-up and no watermark. Generation runs entirely in your browser — your data is never uploaded.

What data can I encode in a ISSN barcode?

ISSN format XXXX-XXXX (with check). For example: 0317-8595. If your data does not match the expected format, the encoder will show an error instead of producing a symbol that cannot scan.

Which download formats are supported?

PNG for screens and documents, and SVG for unlimited-quality print and design work. Both formats are rendered locally in your browser.

Does a ISSN barcode expire?

No. The barcode is a fixed image of the data you entered — it keeps scanning for as long as the print or display lasts. If your data changes, simply generate a new barcode.

More EAN / UPC Barcode Types

Need a different symbology? Every type below has its own generator page with the same browser-based, no-signup workflow. Looking for the long-form reference instead? Read the ISSN guide, or generate many codes at once with the bulk barcode generator.