To find the right barcode printing and labeling solution for your application, you need to start with the basics, specifically: how barcodes work and what different types of barcodes are there? Learning the answers to these questions will help you make an informed decision for your business.
Barcode Comparison Chart
The chart below compares 26 of the most common industrial barcode types with information on how they are used, examples of what they look like, character sets they use (numbers, special characters, etc.), and length. These are all bidirectional barcodes (can be scanned from either direction).
| Name | Barcode | Type | Character Set | Length | Checksum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia Postal Code |
| 2-D | Numbers Only | 4 | Required | Includes error correction |
| Aztec Code |
| 2-D | Full ASCII; FNC1 and ESI control codes | Variable Min 12 Max 3832 | Required | Includes error correction; minimum is 15×15 square, largest is 151×151 |
| Codabar |
| Linear | Numbers: 0-9; Symbols: – : . $ / + Start/Stop Characters: A, B, C, D, E, *, N, or T | Variable | None | Older code; often used in libraries and blood banks. See also USD-4, NW-7, 2of7 |
| Code 11 |
| Linear | Required | Variable | Numbers Only | Recommend 2nd check digit |
| Code 128 |
| Linear | All ASCII characters and control codes | Variable | Required | Widely used; excellent for many applications |
| Code 39 |
| Linear | Uppercase letters A-Z; Numbers 0-9; Space – . $ / + % | Variable | Optional | In very wide use for many types of applications |
| Extended Code 39 |
| Linear | All ASCII characters and control codes | Variable | Optional | Uses pairs of characters to encode non- standard symbols; wasteful of space |
| Code 93 |
| Linear | Uppercase letters A-Z; Numbers 0-9; Space – . $ / + % | nbsp | Optional | A more compact cousin of Code 39, not as widely in use |
| Composite Code |
| 2D | All ASCII characters | Variable | Required | Code comprised of a PDF417 code stacked on top of a Code128; used in UCC/EAN standards |
| DataMatrix |
| 2-D | All ASCII characters | Variable | Required | Includes error correction, up to 2335 ASCII characters |
| EAN-13 |
| Linear | Numbers Only | 13 + check digit +2 optional +5 optional | Required | Retail product marking world-wide |
| EAN-8 |
| Linear | Numbers Only | 7 + check digit | Required | Retail product marking world-wide; compressed code for products with limited label space |
| Industrial 2 of 5 |
| Linear | Numbers Only | Variable | None | Older type of code |
| Interleaved 2 of 5 |
| Linear | Numbers Only | Variable | Optional | Very compact encodes digits in pairs so total length must be even number of digits |
| ITF-14 |
| Linear | Numbers Only | 13 + check digit | Required | Special use of the Interleaved 2 of 5 code to mark shipping cartons containing UPC encoded products (see also SCC-14) |
| Maxicode |
| 2-D | All ASCII characters | 93 | Required | Includes error correction, developed by the United Parcel Service for encoding destination information |
| MSI MSI Plessey |
| Linear | Numbers Only | Variable | Required | Grocery store shelf tags |
| PDF-417 |
| 2-D | All ASCII characters | Variable | Required | Includes error correction, up to about 1850 ASCII or 2725 numeric characters |
| Plessey |
| Linear | Numbers Only | Variable | Required | Grocery store shelf tags |
| Postnet |
| 2-D | Numbers Only | 5 + check digit +4 optional +6 optional | Required | USA postal code (ZIP code) |
| QR Code |
| 2-D | All ASCII characters | Variable | Required | Includes error correction, up to about 1520 ASCII or 2509 numeric characters |
| SCC-14 (UCC/EAN Ship Cont. Code) |
| Linear | Numbers Only | 13 + checksum | Required | Special use of Code 128 which defines data formats for commerce |
| Standard 2 of 5 |
| Linear | Numbers Only | Variable | None | Also called Industrial 2 of 5. |
| UCC/EAN-128 |
| Linear | All ASCII characters and control codes | Variable | Required | Special use of Code 128 which defines data formats for commerce |
| UCC/EAN Shipping Container Code (SCC-14) |
| Linear | Numbers Only | 13 + check digit | Required | Special use of the Interleaved 2 of 5 code to mark shipping cartons containing UPC encoded products (see also SCC-14) |
| UPC-A |
| Linear | 11 + check digit +2 optional +5 optional | Numbers Only | Required | Retail product marking in USA and Canada |
Of the types listed above, the UPC code (universal product code) is the most common barcode type used throughout the United States to encode information.
How Do Barcodes Work?
A barcode utilizes a visual pattern to encode information. The black and white bars or patterns you see on the label hold information such as a product number, serial code, or URL.
A barcode scanner will then read those images, detect the code, convert that pattern into a digital signal, and then translate it into readable text that a point of sale (POS) system or software can process..
Today, many barcodes can also be scanned using smartphones and mobile apps, making them easy to use across retail, warehousing, and everyday applications.
Barcode Symbologies
Barcode symbology refers to how information is encoded in the image / design of a barcode. The spacing and pattern of the black and white lines or patterns are not random, but rather they follow standardized code languages, as established by the International Organization for Standards (ISO).
Many barcode standards are also managed by organizations like Global Standards One (GS1), which defines global systems for identifying trade items using formats like UPC and European Article Number (EAN). These standards ensure barcodes can be scanned and understood consistently across different systems and regions.
A common example of how barcode technology works can be seen in grocery stores. When an item is scanned, the barcode reader interprets the symbology and sends the decoded data to the POS system. The system then matches that data to a specific product in the inventory database, allowing the transaction to be processed instantly.
Standard Barcode Formats
1D Barcodes
One-dimensional barcodes, also known as linear barcodes, are the most common barcode format. These barcode labels use black and white parallel lines and spacing to encode data, typically limited to numeric digits or alphanumeric characters.
Because of their simplicity and reliability, 1D barcodes are widely used across industries for fast and efficient barcode scanning.
1D barcode examples and common use cases:
- Inventory management, including shipping and tracking across the supply chain
- Retail check-out and POS systems
- Tracking items in environments like libraries
Labeling shipping containers and cartons with formats like ITF-14.
2D Barcodes
Two-dimensional barcodes, also known as 2D barcodes, store data using patterns of squares or dots arranged in a grid (such as a data matrix). This format allows them to hold large amounts of data in a compact space.
Because of their higher data capacity, 2D barcode formats are increasingly used in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics.
2D barcode examples and common use cases:
- Product tracking and serialization across the supply chain
- Storing detailed product information, including batch numbers and expiration date
- Smartphone scanning for marketing, authentication, or digital access
- Standardized identification and traceability using Data Matrix and GS1 DataMatrix
Key advantages of 2D barcodes:
- Ability to encode data directly within the barcode
- Greater data storage compared to 1D formats
- Faster and more flexible barcode scanning without precise alignment
- Built-in error correction for improved reliability
- Smaller size while maintaining strong readability
Choosing the Right Barcode Format
Once you understand the differences between 1D and 2D barcode formats, the next step is selecting the right option for your specific use case. While there are many different types of barcodes, most applications come down to how much data you need to store and how the barcode will be used.
For Retail and Point-of-Sale
For simpler applications like retail stores and point-of-sale systems, UPC codes and EAN formats are the standard.
- Common formats: UPC-A barcode, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-E
- Best for: Scanning retail products quickly at checkout
- How it works: Uses numeric identifiers (GTINs) that link to product data stored in a database
For Logistics and Supply Chain
For warehousing, shipping, and the supply chain, 1D barcodes are widely used, with 2D barcodes increasingly adopted for advanced tracking and serialization.
- Common formats: Code 128, Code 39, ITF-14
- Best for: Tracking shipping cartons, cases, and grouped trade items
- Key benefit: Supports alphanumeric characters and product identifiers for more detailed tracking
For High Data Capacity and Advanced Tracking
If your application requires encoding large amounts of data directly in the barcode, 2D barcodes are the better option.
- Common formats: QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec Code
- Best for: Healthcare, manufacturing, and advanced tracking systems
- Key benefit: Stores detailed data such as batch numbers, serial numbers, and expiration dates within the barcode
Key Factors to Consider
When choosing the right barcode, keep these factors in mind:
- Data capacity: How much data needs to be stored vs referenced
- Available space: Smaller items may require compact formats
- Scanning environment: Distance, angle, and the type of barcode scanners used
- Industry requirements: Standards and barcode symbologies vary by industry
Character set: Whether you need numeric, uppercase, or full alphanumeric characters
Not sure which barcode label is right for your application requirements? Contact the experts at Peak Technologies for help, and learn more about our printing and labeling services.
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