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Free HIBC barcode generator.

The Health Industry Bar Code labels medical devices and hospital items. Type the HIBC data; the generator appends the mod 43 check character.

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HIBC LIC 128 barcode encoding +A99912345/$$52001510X3 with check character 3 — Example: HIBCC's sample in Code 128 with check character 3, text between asterisks and zero shown as Ø

How to create HIBC barcodes

01
Build the string

Type + and your HIBCC-assigned 4-character LIC, the product number (A–Z, 0–9) and a unit of measure digit. Add / and lot or expiry data; PAS strings start with +/.
02
Leave out the check character

The generator appends it. A typed one becomes data, followed by a second.
03
Set the module width

Under Module width, choose Millimeter: HIBCC recommends 0.25 mm for linear, 0.37 mm for 2D codes. The image has no margin: keep 10 modules clear beside linear codes.

HIBC barcodes for device labels and hospital codes

HIBC, the Health Industry Bar Code, is a data format of the Health Industry Business Communications Council (HIBCC). Code 128, Code 39 or 2D codes carry the same string. Device makers use its Labeler Identification Code (LIC) format for product labels and Unique Device Identifiers (UDIs). Hospitals use its Provider Applications Standard (PAS) for their own patients, records and assets.

HIBC on device packages, wristbands and asset tags

Gloved hand scanning a 2D code on a small glass vial in a dim laboratory

The LIC primary code, the device identifier, goes on every package level. A syringe sold singly, in pairs or by the case of 10 can keep one product number, with unit of measure 0, 1 or 2. Expiry date, lot and serial number go into the secondary code.

Hospitals print PAS codes on wristbands, specimen containers, asset tags and surgical instruments. A "where" flag tells a record number read from the wristband (A) apart from the same number on the patient chart (B).

Check and link characters, print grade

To-scale drawing of the sample HIBC LIC 128 at X = 0.254 mm: 255 modules, 64.8 mm of bars, 10-module quiet zones of 2.54 mm, bars 10.5 mm high

The modulo 43 check character lets the receiving system reject a misread string. Printed as two symbols, the secondary code repeats the primary's check character as a link character, so software can pair them.

HIBCC's supplier standard requires grade C/06/660 or better on finished labels and asks labelers to aim for B. For Code 128 and Code 39 it recommends a 0.25 mm module width, bars at least 15% of the symbol length high and 10-module quiet zones.

HIBC images, data sheets and software

Technician holding a small barcode label up to a test station

The online generator downloads PNG, GIF and JPG, and SVG with a plan. One code at a time needs no account; for a code per lot or serial number, keep the strings in a data sheet after a free sign-in.

In your software, TBarCode SDK's .NET component offers all 16 HIBC types and computes the check character. TFORMer Designer layouts offer them too and fill them from your data source.

HIBC at a glance

Standards: ANSI/HIBC 2.6 (LIC), ANSI/HIBC 1.3 (PAS)
Characters: A–Z, 0–9, space and - . $ / + %
Check character: Modulo 43
LIC primary code: 8–25 characters
PAS data field: 1–15 characters
Module width (X): 0.25 mm linear, 0.37 mm 2D (recommended)
Issuer: HIBCC, a UDI issuing agency in the US and EU

How the sample HIBC LIC string is built

HIBCC's example joins primary and secondary data in one symbol: +A99912345/$$52001510X3.

+ A999 1234 5: flag, LIC, product number, unit of measure.
/ $$5: separator, then a lot with expiry date as YYJJJ.
20015 10X3: expiry 15 January 2020, lot 10X3.

For the check character, digits count as themselves, A–Z as 10–35 and - . space $ / + % as 36–42. The sum is 261 = 6 × 43 + 3, so the generator appends 3.

HIBC print settings: carrier, module width, quiet zone

Sample in	Modules	X at 300 dpi	Size	Quiet zone
HIBC LIC 128	255	0.254 mm (3 dots)	64.8 mm wide	10X each side
HIBC LIC 39	415 at 3:1	0.254 mm (3 dots)	105.4 mm wide	10X each side
HIBC LIC Data Matrix	18 × 18	0.423 mm (5 dots)	7.6 × 7.6 mm	1X all round

Stacked carriers. The supplier standard has no print rules for PDF417, MicroPDF417 or Codablock F; test them with your customers' scanners.

Sixteen HIBC types: LIC or PAS in eight carriers

LIC for products you label, PAS for a hospital's internal codes; sizes for the samples.

HIBC LIC 128

Code 128, shorter than LIC 39.

Create HIBC LIC 128 ›

HIBC LIC 39

Code 39, 63% longer.

Create HIBC LIC 39 ›

HIBC LIC Data Matrix

18 × 18 modules.

Create HIBC LIC Data Matrix ›

HIBC LIC QR Code

25 × 25 modules, 4X quiet zone.

Create HIBC LIC QR Code ›

HIBC LIC Aztec

19 × 19 modules, no quiet zone.

Create HIBC LIC Aztec ›

HIBC LIC PDF417

Stacked, 120 modules wide.

Create HIBC LIC PDF417 ›

HIBC LIC MicroPDF417

Stacked, 55 modules wide, 1X quiet zone.

Create HIBC LIC MicroPDF417 ›

HIBC LIC Codablock-F

Code 128 rows, 2 to 44 per block.

Create HIBC LIC Codablock-F ›

HIBC PAS 128

Code 128 for single data fields.

Create HIBC PAS 128 ›

HIBC PAS 39

Code 39, as in HIBCC's purchase order example.

Create HIBC PAS 39 ›

HIBC PAS Data Matrix

Preferred PAS carrier; cells from 0.127 mm on marked instruments.

Create HIBC PAS Data Matrix ›

HIBC PAS QR Code

Preferred PAS carrier (QR Code 2005).

Create HIBC PAS QR Code ›

HIBC PAS Aztec

Preferred PAS carrier, shown on a wristband.

Create HIBC PAS Aztec ›

HIBC PAS PDF417

Not named in the PAS standard.

Create HIBC PAS PDF417 ›

HIBC PAS MicroPDF417

Compact stacked code, also unnamed there.

Create HIBC PAS MicroPDF417 ›

HIBC PAS Codablock-F

Stacked Code 128 rows; check reader support.

Create HIBC PAS Codablock-F ›

Frequently asked questions

Learn more about HIBC.

What does HIBC stand for?

Health Industry Bar Code. Its two formats are American National Standards maintained by HIBCC: LIC for suppliers' product labels, PAS for hospitals' internal codes.

Is HIBC accepted for UDI?

Yes. US rules require a UDI from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or an FDA-accredited issuing agency; the FDA accredited three: GS1, HIBCC (December 2013) and ICCBBA. The EU designated the same three and the German IFA until 27 June 2029.

Should we label with HIBC or GS1?

Either meets the US and EU UDI rules; the labeler chooses. HIBC keeps your alphanumeric catalogue number in the device identifier, while GS1 uses a 14-digit number behind application identifier (01). Ask your customers which identifiers their systems read.

Do I need to register with HIBCC to print HIBC barcodes?

For LIC codes, yes: HIBCC assigns the Labeler Identification Code. PAS codes with only in-house numbers need none; HIBCC's wristband example holds only a record and a visit number. The online generator needs no account.

More resources

FAQ

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