Overview Linear Bar Code Symbologies (1/2)

Overview of linear bar code symbologies with specific characteristics.

These barcode symbologies are supported by our Barcode Maker Software, Barcode Add-In for Excel/Word, Barcode SDK (DLL/OCX/.NET), Barcode Generator for Linux/UNIX/macOS, Barcode DLL for SAP/WWI®, Barcode Label Software and Report Generator.

Code 128

Code 128
Character SetLengthCheck DigitSize, Module Width X, Print Ratio
ASCII (128 characters)
ISO-8859-1		variableMod 103H>=15% of L (H>=6.5 mm!); X>= 0.19 mms (max: 1.27 mms); Pr= 1:2:3:4
ApplicationsWidely used in all areas; modern compact symbology; introduced 1981 by "Computer Identics"; in conjunction with FNC1 used as GS1-128 or UCC/EAN-128 for retail product marking
Notes3 different code sets (A=upper case + ASCII control characters, B=upper + lower case characters, C=double density numeric characters); code set switching; function code characters (FNC1-4); high printing density (laser or thermo transfer printer recommended);

2 of 5 Standard

2 of 5 Standard
Character SetLengthCheck DigitSize, Module Width X, Print Ratio
numeric [0..9]variablenone definedPr=1:3/1:4.5
ApplicationsOlder code (1970+); for industrial applications, warehouse sorting systems, photofinishing envelope identification, ticketing (sequentially numbered airline tickets)
NotesInformation is contained in the width of bars, self-checking code.

2 of 5 Interleaved

2 of 5 Interleaved
Character SetLengthCheck DigitSize, Module Width X, Print Ratio
numeric [0..9]variableoptional (Mod. 10)X>= 0.19 mms; Pr= 1:2 - 1:3 (>2.2 if X<0.50); printing tolerance: +/- 10%
ApplicationsUsed widely in all areas (article numbering, industrial applications...)
NotesInformation is contained in the width of bars, self-checking code; very compact because of encoding of digits in pairs (total length must be even number of digits); the 1. digit is represented by the bars, the 2. digit by the gaps

2 of 5 IATA

2 of 5 IATA
Character SetLengthCheck DigitSize, Module Width X, Print Ratio
numeric [0..9]variableoptional (Mod. 10)X>= 0.19 mms; Pr= 1:2 - 1:3; high printing tolerance: +/- 15 to 20%
ApplicationsNumbering of luggage in air transport ("International Air Transport Agency")
NotesSelf-checking code; start/stop-characters identical to 2 of 5 Industry; supports distance reading (> 1m) and very simple print techniques

3 of 9 (Code 39)

3 of 9 (Code 39)
Character SetLengthCheck DigitSize, Module Width X, Print Ratio
[A-Z] [0-9] [ - . $ / + % ]variable (avg. up to 20 chars)optional (Mod. 43)H>=15% of L (H>=6.3 mm!); X>= 0.19 mms; Pr= 1:2 - 1:3 (>2.25 if X<0.5!)
ApplicationsExtensive application in industry, authorities and business (non-retail); covered by ANSI MH 10.8 M-1983 and MIL-STD-1189; developed 1974 by INTERMEC.
NotesVery secure code-structure; self checking; supports multiple symbols (if first character is a space the next symbol is appended); supports distance reading (> 1m); only uppercase letters (+ special characters) can be encoded!
Code 39 Basics - YouTube Video

3 of 9 Ext (ASCII)

3 of 9 Ext (ASCII)
Character SetLengthCheck DigitSize, Module Width X, Print Ratio
ASCII (127 characters)variableoptional (Mod. 43)refer to Code 39
ApplicationsCode 39 ASCII has lower spreading because Code128 offers the same character set, but does encoding more compact.
NotesExtension of Code39; lowercase letters and special characters are built up by pairs, e.g. "+A" = "a" (wasteful of space); scanner devices do not recognize the difference to Code 39 automatically (extra configuration!)

EAN8

EAN8
Character SetLengthCheck DigitSize, Module Width X, Print Ratio
numeric [0..9]7 usable digits1 check digitfont size SC2 (SC0-SC9); H=21.64mms (17.7-43.28); B=26.73mms (21.87-53.46); X= 0.33mm (0.27-0.66); variable size between 80%-200%;
ApplicationsEuropean retail product marking (EAN); compressed code for products with limited label space; unique number (central managed) identifies
NotesEAN8 data consists of 2-3 digits of country code and 4-5 digits of article code (limited numbers)

EAN8 P2

EAN8 P2
Character SetLengthCheck DigitSize, Module Width X, Print Ratio
numeric [0..9]7 + 2 digits1 check digitrefer to EAN8 (parameters for article field)
ApplicationsFor magazines and paperbacks
NotesIdentical to EAN8 but 2 additional digits (e. g. for weight, pricing) can be encoded.

EAN8 P5

EAN8 P5
Character SetLengthCheck DigitSize, Module Width X, Print Ratio
numeric [0..9]7 + 5 digits1 check digitrefer to EAN8 (parameters for article field)
ApplicationsFor magazines and paperbacks
NotesIdentical to EAN8 but 5 additional digits (e. g. for weight, pricing) can be encoded.

EAN13

EAN13
Character SetLengthCheck DigitSize, Module Width X, Print Ratio
numeric [0..9]12 digits1 check digitfont size SC2 (SC0-SC9); H=26.26mms (21.48-52.52); B=37.29mms (30.50-74.58); X= 0.33mms (0.27-0.66); variable size 80%-200%;
ApplicationsRetail product marking (European Article Numbering); number is managed by a central organization (GS1) and identifies the producer and the product;
Notes13 digits (12 usable digits + 1 check digit); 2 digits country of origin code + 5 digits manufacturer code + 5 digits product number; IAN + JAN are identical to EAN; the encoded number is also referred to as GTIN-13

EAN13 P2

EAN13 P2
Character SetLengthCheck DigitSize, Module Width X, Print Ratio
numeric [0..9]12 + 2 digits1 check digitrefer to EAN13
ApplicationsFor magazines and paperbacks
NotesIdentical to EAN13 but 2 additional digits (e. g. for weight, pricing) can be encoded.

EAN13 P5

EAN13 P5
Character SetLengthCheck DigitSize, Module Width X, Print Ratio
numeric [0..9]12 + 5 digits1 check digitrefer to EAN13
ApplicationsEncoding of the "ISBN"-number used for books (retail product marking)
NotesIdentical to EAN13 but 5 additional digits (containing the price of the product) can be encoded.

EAN 14

EAN 14
Character SetLengthCheck DigitSize, Module Width X, Print Ratio
numeric [0..9]2 (AI) + 13 digits1 check digit (EAN)refer to EAN128
ApplicationsUsed for encoding the 14 digits GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) from the GS1 system. The first digit is the packaging indicator, the remaining 12 digits are based on the EAN-13 / UPC-12 article number followed by a check digit.
NotesAs "carrier" bar code symbology EAN-128 (resp. GS1-128) with AI 01 is used.

GS1-128 / EAN128

GS1-128 / EAN128
Character SetLengthCheck DigitSize, Module Width X, Print Ratio
ASCII (128 characters)max. 48 data charactersMod 103identical to Code128 but Lmax=165mm; maximum of symbol characters = 35;
ApplicationsUniversal applicable such as for retail product marking or shipping (etc); GS1-128 has capabilities to encode not only the EAN number but also quantities, weight, price (and much more data) of the product.
NotesGS1-128 (EAN128) is a subversion of Code128 containing the FNC1 character at first position; GS1/EAN-128 has a predefined data format to encode various types of data into one symbol (FNC1 can function as separator of different data contents).

UPC Version A

UPC Version A
Character SetLengthCheck DigitSize, Module Width X, Print Ratio
numeric [0..9]12 digits1 check digitH=26.26mms (21.48-52.52); B=37.29mms (30.50-74.58); X= 0.33mms (0.27-0.66); variable size; tolerances: 15-30% (0.05-0.1mms)
ApplicationsRetail product marking (use with point-of- sale cash register systems); assignment of numbers is controlled by GS1 to identify the manufacturer and the product;
NotesThe number has 12 digits (11 usable digits + 1 check digit) that consists of 1 system digit + 5 digits manufacturer code + 5 digits product number; the encoded number is also referred to as GTIN-12.

UPC Version E

UPC Version E
Character SetLengthCheck DigitSize, Module Width X, Print Ratio
numeric [0..9]7 digits1 check digit1;2;3;4;1;2;3;4
ApplicationsRetail product marking and small article bar-coding.
NotesThe code must begin with “0” or “1”. TBarCode: The check-digit is computed automatically if it is not specified in the input data (that is when only 7 digits are used for creating the code).

Definition of colored elements in above barcodes X ... Module width
Pr.. Print ratio
L... Width of barcode
H... Height of barcode 		b ... Width of bars/spaces
e... Distance between bars
p... Distance between characters