Barcode Types – A Detailed Guide

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Barcodes have been around for more than 70 years and have revolutionized how businesses work. These small machine-readable codes offer a wealth of information that helps with product identification, management, and tracking.

With technological advancements and the ever-changing needs of businesses, different types of barcodes were developed, each with its own distinct features and usage.

In general, barcodes are divided into two categories.

Linear barcodes or 1D barcodes
2D barcodes

Please refer to our barcode 101 guide for a complete crash course on barcode basics.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the world of barcodes and uncover the most popular barcode types in use today. So, put on your learning caps, and let’s get started!

What is the Standard Type of Barcode?

There is no one “Standard” barcode type. Each type of barcode has unique characteristics and purposes suited for different needs.

Barcodes generally differ on the following parameters.

Data capacity
Ability to encode different characters (numerical, alphanumeric, symbols, etc.)
Number of characters that can be encoded
Size
Reading distance & capability
Human readability
Data accuracy
Error correction capability
Requirement of checksum
Security

Popular One-Dimensional Barcodes

UPC Barcodes

Overview
Type	Parallel lines with varying widths
Character Type	Numerical
Character Length	12 or 8 characters
Printable Digits	0 to 9
Common Usage	Retail industry

UPC is an acronym for Universal Product Code. They were initially designed for grocery establishments to facilitate speedy receipt printing and inventory tracking. Today, they are found nearly on every retail product and are used for identifying and tracking products throughout the entire supply chain.

UPC barcodes are widely used worldwide, with the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand being the most common users. They are standardized according to the ISO/IEC 15420 standards.

UPC codes are capable of encoding numerical digits from 0 to 9 only. Their data capacity depends on the variation used.

Variations of UPC

UPC barcode has two variations – UPC-A and UPC-E.

UPC-A generally referred to as UPC, is the standard version of the barcode. UPC-A carries 12 numerical digits.

UPC-E, also known as 0-Suppressed UPC, is the shortened version of UPC-A. UPC-E carries eight numerical digits. It shortens UPC-A by removing extra zeros. UPC-E is used in places where the product size and packaging are too small to accommodate UPC-A.

EAN

Overview
Type	Parallel lines with varying widths
Character Type	Numerical
Character Length	13 or 8 characters
Printable Digits	0 to 9
Common Usage	Retail industry

EAN is an acronym for European Article Number. It is also called an International Article Number.

EAN codes are similar to UPCs in terms of appearance and function. The only difference between them is the geographical application, i.e., EAN is used in the European region while UPC is used in other parts of the world.

EAN is a numeric-only barcode that encodes numerical digits from 0 to 9. The data capacity of EAN varies according to its variation.

Variations of EAN

EAN barcode have two variations – EAN-13 and EAN-8

EAN-13 is the default variation and encodes 13 numerical digits.

EAN-8 is the shortened version of EAN-13 and encodes eight numerical digits.

Plessey

Overview
Type	Parallel lines with varying widths
Character Type	Hexadecimal characters
Character Length	Variable
Printable Digits	0 to 9 and A to F (Uppercase only)
Common Usage	Warehousing industry and inventory management

Plessey barcodes were developed in 1972 by Plessey Telecommunications, an England-based company. It is one of the oldest barcode types and is still used in some libraries and retail stores (shelf tags), primarily to fulfil internal stock management requirements.

Plessey barcodes are based on pulse-width modulation technology. These barcodes encode the following hexadecimal characters.

Numeric digits from 0-9
Uppercase letters from A to F

Plessey barcodes have no fixed data capacity. They have a variable length, meaning their size depends on the number of characters encoded.

Plessey barcodes were very popular because of the ease of printing with dot-matrix printers, which were quite popular when the code was introduced. However, they are now rarely used due to their lack of compatibility with modern barcode scanners.

MSI Plessey

Overview
Type	Parallel lines with varying widths
Character Type	Numerical
Character Length	Variable
Printable Digits	0 to 9 characters
Common Usage	Warehousing industry and inventory management

MSI Plessey, also called Modified Plessey, is a liner barcode symbology developed by MSI Data Corporation. It is based on the Plessey barcode symbology. MSI Plessey is widely used for inventory control in warehouses.

MSI Plessey only supports numerical digits from 0 to 9. It has a variable length, allowing it to encode any amount of data.

MSI Plessey is currently managed by Symbol Technologies Inc, a subsidiary of Zebra Technologies.

ITF

Overview
Type	Parallel lines with varying widths
Character Type	Numerical
Character Length	Variable, 16 or 14 characters
Printable Digits	0 to 9
Common Usage	Packaging, logistics, and distribution industry

ITF stands for Interleaved 2 of 5. It belonged to the Code 2 of 5 barcodes symbology family and was introduced in 1968. Interleaved 2 of 5 is also known as the Standard Distribution Code.

ITF is a high-density, continuous barcode that encodes numeric digits 0 to 9. This barcode symbology encodes numbers in pairs, meaning that every two digits are interleaved to create a single number.

Moreover, ITF barcodes only have an even number of digits in the barcode. In case the number string has an odd number of digits, a 0 is added to the beginning of the string to make it even.

ITF barcodes can encode data of any length as long as the code has an even number of digits. It is a self-checking barcode, which means it does not need a check digit. ITF barcodes have high printing tolerance, which makes them quite popular for labelling corrugated boxes and cartons.

Variations of Interleaved 2 of 5

Interleaved 2 of 5 has two variations – ITF-16 and ITF-14.

ITF-16 is the standardized version of Interleaved 2 of 5. This barcode symbology limits the data capacity to 16 digits, with the last digit being the check digit.

ITF-14 is a variant that adheres to GS1 requirements. This barcode symbology limits the data capacity to 14 digits, with the final digit serving as the check digit. Additionally, ITF-14 is standardized by ISO/IEC 16390.

GS1 DataBar (Formerly RSS)

GS1 DataBar, formerly known as Reduced Space Symbology (RSS), is a relatively new barcode symbology. It is a large barcode family used in place of the older UPC and EAN barcode types.

GS1 DataBar store an ample amount of data and are more than 50% of the size of the present UPC and EAN symbols. They can encode Global Trade Identification Numbers (GTIN) along with item-level information such as product weight, expiration date, and batch number. Therefore, GS1 DataBar is used mainly in retail and food & beverage labelling.

GS1 DataBar is standardized under ISO/IEC 24724.

Variants of GS1 DataBar

The GS1 Databar barcode family has seven variations, four of which are for point-of-sale use and the reaming three for other purposes (generally tracking).

Here is a table that briefly summarises the seven GS1 DataBar variations.

Name	Character Type	Data Capacity	POS Usage?	GS1 Key	Attributes?
GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional	Numeric (0-9)	14 characters	Yes	GTIN, GCN	No
GS1 DataBar Stacked Omnidirectional	Numeric (0-9)	14 characters	Yes	GTIN, GCN	No
GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked	Numeric (0-9) & Alphanumeric (A-Z, 0-9)	74 – Numeric, 41 – Alphanumeric	Yes	GTIN, GCN	Yes
GS1 DataBar Expanded	Numeric (0-9) & Alphanumeric (A-Z, 0-9)	74 – Numeric, 41 – Alphanumeric	Yes	GTIN, GCN	Yes
GS1 DataBar Stacked	Numeric (0-9)	14 characters	No	GTIN	No
GS1 DataBar Limited	Numeric (0-9)	14 characters	No	GTIN	No
GS1 DataBar Truncated	Numeric (0-9)	14 characters	No	GTIN	No

Code 11

Overview
Type	Parallel lines with varying widths
Character Type	Numerical and hyphens
Character Length	Variable
Printable Digits	0 to 9
Common Usage	Telecommunications industry

Code 11, also called USD-8, is a high-density barcode symbology created by David Allais of Intermec Corporation in 1977.

Code 11 was developed for encoding numeric digits (0-9) and hyphens (-). It is capable of encoding a number string of any length. Code 11 is used by the telecommunications industry to mark and identify telephone equipment.

Code 39

Overview
Type	Parallel lines with varying widths
Character Type	Numerical, alphabetical and special characters
Character Length	43 characters
Printable Digits	Uppercase A to Z, 0 to 9, -, ., $, /, +, %, SPACE
Common Usage	Automotive and defence industry

Code 39 is one of the oldest and most popular barcode symbologies used in the industrial environment. It is also called Alpha-39, Code 3 of 9, USD-3, Code3/9, Type 39, and USS Code 39.

Code 39 is a full alphanumeric barcode that can encode the following character sets.

26 upper-case letters (A-Z)
10 numeric digits (0-9)
7 special characters (-, ., $, /, +, %, SPACE)

Code 39 derives its name from the fact that it can hold 39 characters. However, in a recent upgrade, the character limit of Code 39 was increased to 43.

Code 39 is a self-checking barcode and eliminates the need for a check digit. It is adopted as a military standard of the US Department of Defense.

Code 49

Overview
Type	Multiple rows of parallel lines with varying widths
Character Type	Numerical, alphabetical and special characters
Character Length	Variable
Printable Digits	Full 128-character ASCII set
Common Usage	Manufacturing industry

Code 49 is a continuous, variable-length stacked barcode symbology. It combines elements of the Universal Product Code (UPC) and Code 39 into one barcode language.

Code 49 consists of two to eight rows of barcodes, each of which can have 2 to 8 characters. This barcode symbology supports the use of all 128 characters as per the ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange).

Code 49 is identified as per AIM-BC6-2000.

Code 128

Overview
Type	Parallel lines with varying widths
Character Type	Numerical, alphabetical, special characters and control codes
Character Length	Variable
Printable Digits	Full 128-character ASCII set
Common Usage	Warehousing, shipping, packaging and transport industry

Code 128 is a high-density barcode developed to overcome the limitations of Code 39. This barcode symbology can encode all 128 ASCII characters, including upper and lower case alphabets, special characters, and control codes such as tab, enter, etc.

Code 128 is defined in ISO/IEC 15417:2007 standards.

Variants of Code 128

Code 128 have three variants – Code 128A, Code 128B, and Code 128C.

Code 128A encodes ASCII characters 00 to 95, special characters, and FNC (Function Code) 1–4.

Code 128B encodes ASCII characters 32 to 127, special characters, and FNC 1–4.

Code 128C encoded numeric data character pairs from 00 to 99 and FNC1.

Codabar

Overview
Type	Parallel lines with varying widths
Character Type	Numerical, alphabetical and special characters
Character Length	Variable
Printable Digits	0 to 9, -, ., $, /, +,:, A, B, C, D
Common Usage	Non-retail environments like libraries, blood banks and overnight package delivery industries

Codabar is a self-checking linear barcode developed by Pitney Bowes in 1972. It is also known as Ames Code, Code-a-Bar, NW-7, Code 2 of 7, Monarch, Rationalized Codabar, ANSI/AIM BC3-1995, and USD-4.

Codabar was initially developed for retail price-labelling systems. However, National Retail Merchants Association (NRMA) opted for a different symbology in 1975 and advocated Codabar for usage in non-retail sectors like libraries, shipping, photo finishing, and healthcare.

Codabar was widely used in libraries, FedEx airbills, and blood bank forms as they were accurately read even when printed on dot-matrix printers, which were quite popular at that time.

Codabar does not have a set limit of characters that it can encode. It supports the following character set.

Numerical digits from 0 to 9
Special characters including hyphen (-), dollar sign ($), colon (:), slash mark (/), period (.), and plus sign (+).
Alphabetic characters A, B, C, and D.

Telepen

Overview
Type	Multiple rows of parallel lines with varying widths
Character Type	Numerical, alphabetical and special characters
Character Length	Variable
Printable Digits	Full 128-character ASCII set
Common Usage	UK university and academic libraries

Telepen was introduced in 1972 by a British company named SB Electronic Systems Ltd. It was designed to compete with the Code 128 and Code 93 barcodes.

Telepen supports all 128 ASCII characters and does not have any character limitation. It is highly reliable even if printed using an ordinary printer not designed for barcode printing.

Telepen has a compressed numeric mode with double the density of the standard mode. However, there is nothing in the barcode to differentiate between the two modes.

ISBT-128

Overview
Type	Parallel lines with varying widths
Character Type	Numerical, alphabetical, special characters and control codes
Character Length	Variable
Printable Digits	Full 128-character ASCII set
Common Usage	Healthcare industry

ISBT 128 is a global standard for identifying, labelling, and transferring data regarding medical goods of human origin (like blood, cells, tissues, milk, and organ products) across international borders. It was developed in the early 1990s by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT).

ISBT-128 is based on Code 128 but has additional features that make it suitable for use in healthcare. This barcode symbology, like Code 128, can encode all 128 ASCII 7-bit character sets. ISBT-128 does not have a fixed limit of characters that it can encode.

Please note that ISBT-128 is not in the public domain. Therefore, one must register with the International Council for Commonality in Blood Banking Automation (ICCBBA) and pay an annual fee to use this barcode symbology.

PLANET

PLANET is an acronym for Postal Alpha Numeric Encoding Technique. It is a postal barcode symbology used by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to encode zip codes, delivery point codes, and other data on mail pieces. PLANET was either 12-digit or 14-digit long.

The PLANET barcode is no longer used and was replaced by the Intelligent Mail Barcode system.

POSTNET

POSTNET stands for Postal Numeric Encoding Technique. It is another postal barcode introduced as an alternative to PLANET barcodes. POSTNET encoded numerical characters and was 11 or 14 digits long.

However, POSTNET is no longer in use.

Popular Two-Dimensional Barcodes

QR Code

Overview
Type	Pixel matrix with three squares in the corners
Character Type	Numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, and Kanji
Character Length	2953 bytes of data, 4296 alphanumeric characters, 7089 numeric characters, or 1817 Kanji characters (character set according to JIS X 0208)
Common Usage	Retail, marketing, transportation, and entertainment industry

QR code stands for Quick Response Code. It is a matrix barcode developed in 1994 by Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota Motors. QR codes were initially designed to replace bar codes on automotive parts manufactured by Denso and track them throughout the supply chain.

A QR code is capable of encoding numerical digits, alphabets, Kanji characters, and binary codes. It stores 2953 bytes of data (including website URLs, audio files, social media profiles, etc.), 4296 alphanumeric characters, 7089 numeric characters, or 1817 Kanji characters (character set according to JIS X 0208).

QR codes can be resized without losing data or accuracy, allowing them to be used in various print media, from business cards and brochures to billboards. They have an error correction capacity that can tolerate up to 30% damage or distortion.

Moreover, QR codes are extremely versatile as they can be scanned using various devices, including inexpensive smartphones. Such versatility has pushed QR codes to widespread adoption, with organizations using them for marketing purposes, sharing contact information, and making & accepting payments.

QR codes are defined in ISO/IEC 18004 standard.

Check out our QR code vs Barcode guide for a detailed comparison between these two symbologies.

Data Matrix Code

Overview
Type	Pixel matrix with an L-shaped corner
Character Type	256 ASCII characters, ISO characters and EBCDIC characters
Character Length	2335 alphanumeric characters, 3,116 numerical characters, or 1556 bytes of information
Common Usage	Aerospace, electronic, logistics and automotive industry

Data Matrix is a high-density, variable-sized matrix barcode symbology. It was introduced in 1989 by a US-based company named International Data Matrix Inc (ID Matrix).

A Data Matrix barcode consists of small black-and-white squares or rectangular units organized in a matrix pattern. This barcode symbology encodes all 256 ASCII characters, ISO characters, and Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code (EBCDIC) characters.

Data Matrix barcode can store up to 2335 alphanumeric characters, 3,116 numerical characters, or 1556 bytes of information. Like QR codes, Data Matrix barcodes can also tolerate up to 33% damage or distortion.

Data Matrix has a small footprint and is usually used to label small items and documents. This barcode symbology is recommended by the US Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) for labelling small electronic parts and components.

Data Matrix barcodes are defined in ISO/IEC 16022 standard.

Variants of Data Matrix Barcodes

Data matrix barcodes are classified into two types based on the error correction code (ECC) and error-checking methods they employ.

ECC 200

ECC 200 uses Reed-Solomon error correction technology.

ECC 000-140

ECC 000, ECC 050, ECC 080, ECC 100, and ECC 140 (collectively known as ECC 000-140) use convolutional error correction.

Aztec Code

Overview
Type	Pixel matrix with an Aztec pyramid in the centre
Character Type	Alphanumeric
Character Length	3,832 numerical digits, 3,067 alphabetic characters, or 1,914 bytes of data
Common Usage	Transportation industry

Aztec code is a general-purpose 2-dimensional matrix barcode. It was introduced in 1995 by Andrew Longacre Jr. and Robert Hussey and formally published in 1997 by the Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility. Aztec barcodes were patented; however, that patent was formally declared public domain.

Aztec code got its name from the resemblance of an Aztec pyramid in its centre. It is a compact barcode symbol consisting of an array of square patterns with alternating black and white lines, much like the QR code.

Aztec codes are capable of encoding up to 3,832 numerical digits, 3,067 alphabetic characters, or 1,914 bytes of data. This barcode symbol is highly space-efficient, meaning it can hold a large amount of data while remaining relatively compact.

Aztec codes are readable even at poor resolutions, making them perfect for usage in transportation tickets, typically printed at a lower print resolution or presented via mobile phone.

Aztec barcode symbology is defined as per ISO/IEC 24778:2008 standard.

PDF 417

Overview
Type	Stacked lines of varying widths above parallel lines
Character Type	All 256 ASCII characters and 8-bit binary data
Character Length	Variable
Common Usage	Transportation industry, government identification documents like licenses, visas, and ID cards

PDF 417, also called Portable Data File 417, is a stacked barcode symbol developed in 1991 by Ynjiun P. Wang at Symbol Technologies, a subsidiary of Zebra Technologies. The barcode gets its name from its format: a portable data file (PDF) with four bar elements and four space elements grouped in a 17-module codeword.

PDF 417 is a variable-length barcode symbology. This barcode symbology holds up to 1.1 kilobytes of machine-readable data and encodes all 256 ASCII characters and 8-bit binary data.

PDF 417 barcode features data compaction schemes that enhance encoding efficiency. It has the following modes to map with user-defined data and codeword sequences.

Text Compaction mode
Byte Compaction mode
Numeric Compaction mode

PDF 417 is known for storing a large amount of data, such as fingerprints, signatures, and photographs, making them an ideal choice for secure documents such as identity cards, driver’s licenses, and passports.

PDF 417 barcode is defined in ISO/IEC 15438:2015 standard.

Variants

PDF417 barcodes have two variants – Macro PDF417 and Compact PDF417

Macro PDF417 divides large files into smaller, encodable sections.

Compact PDF417 is a compact version of the standard PDF417. It is used in applications where space is limited, and symbol damage is improbable.

Codablock

Overview
Type	Stacked lines of varying widths
Character Type	Depends on the chosen variant
Character Length	Depends on the chosen variant
Common Usage	Medical and electronics industries

Codablock is a multi-row, stacked, lined barcode symbology used for high-density data storage and retrieval. It was introduced in 1989 by a German company named Identcode Systeme GmbH.

The name “Codablock” was derived from the block shape formed by its multiple rows. This barcode symbology contains a minimum of 2 rows and a maximum of 44 barcode rows. The number of rows, data type, and storage capacity varies based on the chosen variant.

Variants

Codablock barcodes have three variants – Codablock A, Codablock F, Codablock 256

Codablock A is modelled from Code 39 barcode. It features 2 to 22 barcode lines, each of which can encode 1 to 61 characters. Codablock A has a maximum data capacity of 1340 characters and supports numeric, alphanumeric, and special characters.

Codablock F is modelled from Code 128 barcode. It has between 2 to 44 barcode rows, each of which can encode 4 to 62 data characters. Codablock F has a maximum data capacity of 2,725 characters and supports a full 128-character ASCII set, just like Code 128.

Codablock 256 is structured similarly to Codablock F, with the exception that each line has its own start character. Like Codablock F, Codablock 256 can encode a maximum of 2,725 characters and supports a complete 128-character ASCII set. This Codablock version was not standardized as an international standard and was left as an internal code for Identcode Systeme GmbH development.

MaxiCode

Overview
Type	Bullseye in the middle surrounded with circles and hexagons
Character Type	All 256 ASCII characters
Character Length	93 characters
Common Usage	Package tracking and management

MaxiCode is a 2D barcode designed and released by UPS (United Parcel Services) in 1992. It is a fixed-sized (1-inch square) barcode symbology designed to track and manage the shipment of packages. MaxiCode is also called “Bird’s Eye”, “Target”, “Dense code”, or “UPS code.”

MaxiCode has a unique bull’s eye of three concentric black circles at the centre with concentric circles and hexagons arranged in a pattern. The barcode contains 33 alternating rows of 29 or 30 circular or hexagonal modules arranged in six orientation patterns.

MaxiCode has a data capacity of 93 characters and encodes all 256 ASCII characters. A MaxiCode can be chained with eight other MaxiCodes to store and transmit more data.

MaxiCode is standardized as per ISO/IEC 16023:2000 standard.

TLC 39

Overview
Type	Stacked lines of varying widths set above parallel lines
Character Type	All 256 ASCII characters and 8-bit binary data
Character Length	Variable
Common Usage	Telecommunication industry

TLC 39 stands for Telecommunications Industry Forum (TCIF) Linked Code 39. It is a composite barcode symbol introduced in 2001 by Frederick Schuessler of Symbol Technologies, Inc.

TLC 39 combines a Code 39 and a MicroPDF417 barcode in a single symbol. It has no maximum length limitation and can encode all 256 ASCII characters and 8-bit binary data.

TLC 39 mainly stores telecommunication services data such as repair histories and service order details.

TLC 39 is defined in US Patent Application Publication – US 2001/0045461 A1.

JAB Code

Overview
Type	Colourful pixel matrix
Character Type	Numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, and Kanji
Character Length	Variable
Common Usage	Industrial product identification and pharmaceutical industry

JAB is an acronym for Just Another Bar Code. It is a coloured 2D matrix symbology composed of colourful square modules organized in rectangle or square grids. JAB code is invented and managed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technology.

JAB can encode all types of data, including letters, numbers, Kanji, and binary data. It does not have an upper limit on the length of data.

You can create and customize a JAB code at Jabcode.org.

Code 1

Overview
Type	Square modules arranged in a rectangular pattern
Character Type	All 256 ASCII characters, one pad/message separator character, function characters, and 8-bit binary data
Character Length	2218 alphanumeric characters or 3550 numerical digits
Common Usage	Healthcare industry and recycling industry

Code 1 barcode was introduced in 1991 by Ted Williams of Laserlight Systems Inc. It is one of the first matrix barcode symbologies available in the public domain.

Code 1 consists of a matrix of dark and light square modules arranged in a rectangular pattern. This barcode symbology supports all 256 ASCII characters, one pad/message separator character, function characters, and 8-bit binary data. Code 1 can hold a maximum of 2218 alphanumeric characters or 3550 numerical digits.

Wrapping Up

Barcodes may seem like nothing more than simple black-and-white patterns, but they actually play a vital role. They allow businesses to easily track and manage products and provide a plethora of information about a product or package.

At Triton, we offer you a complete end-to-end barcode solution. From software to hardware, we have it all.

We provide a comprehensive label printing and design software called BarTender. With its powerful features, you can create aesthetically pleasing barcode labels in no time.

For high-quality and efficient label printing, we offer several thermal printers from industry leaders like Zebra, TSC, and Honeywell. Alongside printers, we also provide premium quality printer consumables, including thermal labels and thermal ribbons, to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Scanning equipment like a barcode scanner is also a part of our product lineup. We provide mobile terminals, general barcode scanners, rugged barcode scanners, and fixed scanners & sensors.

We at Triton are dedicated to helping our clients meet their barcoding needs. Our knowledgeable support staff is always here to help you with your queries and assist you in selecting the right barcode product for your application. Contact us today via the live chat widget below and get all your barcoding needs taken care of.

We hope this article has been informative and helpful.

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