To find the right barcode printing and labeling solution for your application, you need to start with the basics, specifically: how do 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 an image / design to encode information — essentially, the black and white bars or patterns you see on the label hold information. A barcode scanner will then read those images, detect the code, and then translate the information into a line of text that can be understood by the business’s point of sale (POS) system. Nowadays, many barcodes can even be read by smartphone apps or other technology.
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).
A clear example of how barcode technology works can be seen in grocery stores. When you purchase an item, the cashier will use a scanner to read the barcode on the item. This scanner will detect the barcode symbology and send this information to the POS system. Said system will then be able to connect the information to the corresponding inventory item.
Standard Barcode Formats
1D Barcodes
One-dimensional barcodes, also known as linear barcodes, are a traditional barcode formatting style that most people likely recognize because it is the most common format. These labels use the classic black and white parallel lines and spacing to encode data.
Barcode examples / common use cases:
- Inventory management, including shipping and tracking
- Retail check-out
- Signing items in and out (e.g., libraries)
2D Barcodes
Two-dimensional barcodes are newer, and they represent data with the use of squares or rectangles that contain black and white dots in specific patterns (called a data matrix).
Barcode examples / common use cases:
Two-dimensional barcodes are newer, and they represent data with the use of squares or rectangles that contain black and white dots in specific patterns (called a data matrix).
Barcode examples / common use cases:
The 2d barcode type can often be used for the same applications as the linear type, but they are usually more expensive. They’ve gained popularity in the supply chain and manufacturing industries due to the different benefits they provide, including:
- Can store a large amount of data, including a variety of media types (while 1d options can just hold a smaller amount of only alphanumeric data)
- Can scan items very quickly, as you don’t need to line the scanner up the way you do with 1d
- Can scan items from farther away
- Don’t need to use a database to collect the information
- Smaller size, even with the larger storage space
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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