Barcodes are small but mighty. When sized and placed correctly, they ensure your products move smoothly through the retail pipeline—from your warehouse to your customer’s hands. But when done wrong? You risk scan failures, shipping delays, and rejected inventory.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to size and place your barcodes the right way—plus how to test them before printing, and where to order pre-printed labels if you need them fast.

📏 Standard Barcode Sizing Guide

Barcodes follow strict industry guidelines to ensure they scan correctly across retail environments. If you’re using UPC-A codes—which we provide at UPCs.com—here’s what you need to know:

✅ Standard Size (100%)

Width: 1.469 inches (37.29 mm)
Height: 1.02 inches (25.91 mm)

✅ Minimum Size (80%)

Width: 1.175 inches (29.83 mm)
Height: 0.816 inches (20.73 mm)

✅ Maximum Size (200%)

Width: 2.938 inches (74.58 mm)
Height: 2.04 inches (51.82 mm)

💡 Quiet Zone Reminder: Always include at least 0.125 inches (3 mm) of blank space (quiet zone) on both sides of the barcode.

📌 Barcode Placement Best Practices

The position of your barcode matters just as much as its size. Here’s where and how to place your barcode for optimal scan accuracy:

🟦 Flat Surface Only

Avoid curves—especially on bottles, tubes, or round containers. A warped barcode is difficult to scan.

📦 Recommended Locations

Back bottom-right corner of the package
Back center-bottom is also acceptable
Keep it away from package folds or seals

🔁 Consistency Counts

Always place your barcode in the same position across every unit of the same product. This is crucial for warehouse automation and fulfillment systems like Amazon FBA.

🖨️ Use Printed Barcode Labels for Speed and Simplicity

If you’re applying barcodes by hand or using generic packaging, our Printed Barcode Labels are the perfect solution.

Professionally printed on adhesive-backed paper
High contrast, high-resolution printing for perfect scans
Shipped directly to your door
Apply in seconds

✨ No printer? No problem. We print and ship your labels—ready to stick and scan.

📁 All Barcode Orders Include Multiple Download Formats

Every barcode purchase on UPCs.com includes access to your files in multiple digital formats, including:

PNG (great for online use)
SVG (perfect for designers and scaling)
EPS & PDF (ideal for print production)

You can download your barcodes anytime from your account dashboard—no expiration, no hidden fees.

❌ Common Barcode Mistakes to Avoid

Too Small: Don’t shrink below 80% of the standard size
Low Contrast: Black on white is best
Over Folds or Seams: This damages scanability
Curved Surfaces: Always apply barcodes to flat, smooth areas
Wrong Orientation: “Picket fence” is preferred over “ladder” orientation

🔍 Test Before You Print

Before finalizing packaging, test your barcode with a scanner or app. You can also generate and preview your code with our Free Barcode Generator tool.

🚀 Upgrade Your Packaging with Smart QR Codes

If you want more than just product identification, consider adding a QR code that links customers to:

Product pages
Instructional videos
Promotions or coupons
Social media
Your Amazon storefront

eQRCodes.com makes it easy to create dynamic, trackable QR codes with:

Editable destination URLs (no need to reprint!)
Real-time analytics
Custom design and branding
Bulk generation options

🧠 Unlike standard QR codes, eQRCodes are smart—you can update them even after printing.

Learn more and try it free at eQRCodes.com

🛒 Start Selling with Confidence

A barcode that scans properly is a small detail that makes a big difference. Whether you’re selling on Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, or into retail stores—barcode accuracy and placement are essential.

👉 Buy UPC Barcodes Now
👉 Order Printed Barcode Labels
👉 Visit Our Help Center More Tips
👉 Try Smart QR Codes at eQRCodes.com

Need help? Contact our team and we’ll help you get your products retail-ready.

How to Properly Size and Place Barcodes for Seamless Retail Scanning