# Orca Scan Barcode Image API

Free API to generate barcode images on-the-fly. No authentication required.

Base URL: https://barcode.orcascan.com

## What it does

Send a GET request with a barcode type and content. Receive an image in the format of your choice (SVG, PNG, PDF and more).

## Supported barcode types

qrcode, datamatrix, ean13, ean8, upca, upce, code128, code39, code93, itf, pdf417, aztec

Pass the type name as ?type=

## Query parameters

| Parameter  | Default | Description                                                                      |
|------------|---------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| type       | qrcode  | Barcode type or custom design name                                               |
| data       | (none)  | Content to encode in the barcode                                                 |
| text       | (none)  | Human-readable label displayed below the barcode                                 |
| format     | svg     | Output format: svg, png, jpg, jpeg, tiff, gif, webp, pdf                         |
| background | (none)  | Background colour as 6-char hex without #, e.g. ffffff. Use none for transparent |
| padding    | 26      | Padding around the barcode in pixels                                             |
| fontsize   | fit     | Font size for the label text, or fit to auto-size                                |
| layout     | (none)  | Pass landscape to rotate the output 90 degrees                                   |
| b64        | false   | Set true to return a base64 string (text/plain) instead of binary                |
| download   | false   | Set true to trigger a browser file download                                      |

## Examples

QR Code (SVG, default):
https://barcode.orcascan.com/?type=qrcode&data=https://orcascan.com

QR Code (PNG) with label:
https://barcode.orcascan.com/?type=qrcode&data=https://orcascan.com&text=Orca+Scan&format=png

EAN-13 barcode:
https://barcode.orcascan.com/?type=ean13&data=5901234123457&format=png

Code 128 with white background:
https://barcode.orcascan.com/?type=code128&data=HELLO-WORLD&background=ffffff&padding=20

Base64-encoded QR Code:
https://barcode.orcascan.com/?type=qrcode&data=hello&b64=true

PDF download:
https://barcode.orcascan.com/?type=qrcode&data=hello&format=pdf&download=true

## OpenAPI spec

https://barcode.orcascan.com/openapi.json

## Full guide

https://orcascan.com/guides/free-barcode-image-api-0e4a4fa6