Barcode Knowledge
Symbology Description Barcode Types Example of Barcode
Code 39 The Code 39 barcode is the easiest to use of alpha-numeric barcodes and is designed for character self-checking, thus eliminating the requirement for check character calculations. HIBC LIC
LOGMARS
MIL-STD-1189B
MIL-STD-129
MIL-STD-2073-1C
MIL-STD-129N
Code 39
Code 128 Character set A allows for uppercase characters, punctuation, numbers and several special functions such as a return or tab. CANADA POST
USPS
ISBT 128
USS Code 128
ISS Code 128
Code 128
 Character set B allows for upper and lower case letters, punctuation, numbers and a few select functions. Code 128
GS1-128 Character set C interleaves two numbers into each barcode character which makes it a very high-density barcode. The FNC1 function (indicated in blue) designates it as a GS1-128 symbol. The number immediately following the FNC1 is the Application Identifier (AI). UCC 128
EAN 128
SSCC-18
SCC-14
GTIN (EAN14)
GS1-128
UPCa The Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode is used in the retail industry. UPC-A consists of 12 numbers. UPC
UCC12
UPCa

UPCe
UPC-E consists of 12 numbers that are compressed into 8 numbers for small packages. UPCe
EAN13 The European Article Numbering System (EAN) is a superset of U.P.C. EAN-13 consists of 13 numbers. ISBN
ISSN
Bookland
JAN
EAN13
EAN8 The European Article Numbering System (EAN) is a superset of U.P.C. EAN-8 and consists of 8 digits for small packages.
Interleaved 2 of 5 Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF) is a numeric-only barcode used for encoding pairs of numbers in a high density barcode format similar to code 128 character set C. ITF-14
EAN-14
SCC-14
GTIN
DUN14
USPS
Interleaved 2 of 5
Codabar The symbology of the Codabar character set consists of barcode symbols representing characters 0-9, letters A to D and the following symbols: –  .  $  /  +. Rationalized Codabar
USD-4
NW-7
2 of 7 Code
Codabar
Industrial 2 of 5 The symbology of the Industrial Code 2 of 5 character set consists of barcode symbols representing the numbers 0-9, the start character and the stop character. Code 2 of 5 Industrial 2 of 5
Code 11 The symbology of the Code 11 character set consists of barcode symbols representing the numbers 0-9, a dash symbol, the start character and the stop character. Code 11
Code 93 The symbology of the Code 93 character set consists of barcode symbols representing characters 0-9, A-Z, the space character and the following symbols:  /, + , %, – , . , $ . Code 93
GS1 DataBar GS1 DataBar is capable of encoding up to 20,000,000,000,000 (20 trillion) values. GS1 DataBar Omni-directional Barcode Encoding GTIN "20012345678909"
DataBar Expanded GS1 DataBar Expanded is a variable length, expanded version of the DataBar symbology capable of encoding the 14 digit GTIN and additional data. DataBar Expanded Barcode Encoding "(01)98898765432106(3202)012345(15)991231"
DataBar Expanded Stacked GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked Omni-directional has the exact same data characteristics as GS1 DataBar Expanded, except that it may be stacked to decrease width and increase height. DataBar Expanded Stacked Barcode Encoding GTIN, Weight and Sell-by Date
DataBar Omni-Directional Stacked GS1 DataBar Stacked Omni-Directional has the exact same data characteristics as GS1 DataBar. This symbol is approved for POS use after 1-1-2010. DataBar Omni-Directional Stacked
DataBar Truncated GS1 DataBar Truncated has the exact same data characteristics as the GS1 DataBar barcode, except the bar height is set to the minimum height of 13 times the X dimension. DataBar Truncated Barcode Encoding "00012345678905"
GS1 DataBar Limited GS1 DataBar Limited has the same data characteristics as the GS1 DataBar barcode, except that it may only include values up to 4,000,000,000,000 (4 trillion). GS1 DataBar Limited
GS1 DataBar Coupon Code GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked Omni-directional as a coupon. Coupon Code Tutorial GS1 DataBar Coupon Code
MSI Plessey The MSI Plessey barcode was designed in the 1970s by the Plessey Company in England and has been used primarily in libraries and retail applications. MSI Code Pulse Width Modulated Barcode MSI Plessey
POSTNET The POSTNET (Postal Numeric Encoding Technique) barcode is a special barcode developed by the US Post Office to encode zip code information. Zip
Zip + 4
DPBC
POSTNET
PLANET The U.S. Postal Service uses a special barcode called PLANET to track letter-size mail electronically USPS CONFIRM PLANET
USPS IMb A 4 state height-modulated barcode designed for use in high speed, automated, mail sorting machines that allow both Planet and Postnet barcode information to be combined into a single symbol. 4-State Customer
Barcode
4CB or 4-CB
OneCode Solution Barcode
USPS4CB
MICR E13B The MICR E13B font is a special font that is used on bank checks and drafts in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Panama, UK, and a few other countries to print MICR characters for magnetic recognition and optical character recognition systems. MICR E13B
MICR CMC7 The MICR CMC-7 font is a special font that is used on bank checks in Mexico, France, Spain and most Spanish speaking countries. MICR CMC7
OCRa
OCRb
The OCR-A and OCR-B character sets contain both upper and lower case letters, numbers, and several special characters. The OCR-A font characters were created from ANSI X3.17-1981 specifications and the OCR-B font characters were created from ANSI X3.49-1982 specifications. OCR-B1 Eurobanking
OCR-A1 Eurobanking
OCRa & OCRb
PDF417 The PDF-417 symbology uses Reed Solomon error correction; the printed PDF417 barcode symbol can withstand damage without causing loss of data. PDF417
Data Matrix ECC200 Data Matrix ECC200 is a very area efficient 2D barcode symbology that uses a unique square module perimeter pattern that helps the barcode scanner determine cell locations. It can encode GS1 data, letters, numbers, text and actual data bytes. This symbol can withstand damage without causing loss of data. Data Matrix ECC200
GS1 DotCode DotCode is a 2D symbology that adheres to AIM ISS DotCode Rev 4 specification and supports all GS1 Application Identifiers. Dot Code is primarily used for high speed printers where accuracy is not always guaranteed. GS1 DotCode Barcode
MaxiCode MaxiCode is a two-dimensional matrix barcode symbology containing hexagon modules in a 1″ square area. MaxiCode is used by UPS (United Parcel Service) on packing slips for sorting and addressing packages. MaxiCode
Aztec Aztec is an area efficient 2D barcode symbology that can encode letters, numbers, text and actual bytes of data, including Unicode and extended characters, plus small photos. Aztec
QR-Code QR-Code is an efficient, two-dimensional (2D) barcode symbology that allows easy encoding of MECARD data including phone numbers and web URLs. This symbol can withstand damage without causing loss of data. QR-Code