Understanding Barcode Formats
Barcodes encode data as a pattern of parallel bars and spaces. Each format follows a specific symbology, which defines the character set it can encode, the check-digit algorithm that validates it, and the scanner hardware designed to read it. Using the wrong format for an application means the barcode cannot be scanned by the equipment in use or fails regulatory requirements in that sector.
The 34 formats on this page cover every major barcode standard in current commercial use. They fall into distinct categories based on where they are used and what they encode.
Retail and Commercial Barcodes
EAN-13 is the international standard for consumer product identification outside North America. It encodes a 13-digit Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) and is required on products sold through retail channels in Europe, Australia, Asia, and most other international markets. A GS1 company prefix is required to obtain a valid GTIN for retail distribution.
EAN-8 is a shorter variant for small product packaging where a full EAN-13 does not fit. It encodes 8 digits and requires GS1 registration for retail use.
UPC-A is the North American retail standard encoding 12 digits. It appears on products sold primarily in the United States and Canada. UPC-E is a compact 6-digit variant for small packaging. Both require GS1 registration for retail distribution.
EAN-2 and EAN-5 are supplement codes printed to the right of a main barcode. EAN-2 appears on periodicals to indicate the issue number. EAN-5 is used on books to add a price code alongside the ISBN barcode.
Industrial and Linear Barcodes
Code 128 (C128, C128A, C128B, C128C) encodes the full ASCII character set and is the most widely deployed industrial barcode. The A, B, and C subtypes refer to character subsets within the symbology. It handles alphanumeric and numeric data efficiently in a compact format and is the standard for logistics labelling, carton marking, and general internal inventory systems.
Code 39 (C39, C39+, C39E, C39E+) is an older alphanumeric format used in defence, automotive manufacturing, and government environments where legacy scanning infrastructure is in place. Code 39 Extended adds full ASCII support. Code 93 provides higher density than Code 39 while maintaining full ASCII encoding.
Code 11 encodes digits and a dash character and appears primarily on telecommunications equipment labels.
Standard 2 of 5 (S25) and Interleaved 2 of 5 (I25) encode numeric data only. Interleaved 2 of 5 is significantly more compact because it encodes in both the bars and the spaces, making it practical for numeric applications with limited label space.
Shipping and Logistics Barcodes
ITF-14 is the GS1 standard for outer packaging and shipping cartons. It encodes a 14-digit GTIN and is designed for direct printing on corrugated cardboard, where print quality is lower than on flat packaging. The bearer bars at the top and bottom protect the barcode from false reads caused by fold lines and surface irregularities on corrugated material.
Postal Barcodes
POSTNET and PLANET are legacy US Postal Service barcodes for routing data on mail pieces. The Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) replaced both in 2013 and is the current USPS standard for automated mail processing.
RMS4CC is used by Royal Mail in the United Kingdom for automated sorting. KIX is the equivalent standard used by PostNL in the Netherlands. Both encode recipient postal codes and delivery point identifiers read by high-speed postal sorting machines.
Medical and Pharmaceutical Barcodes
Code 32 (C32), PHARMA, and PHARMA2T are pharmaceutical barcodes used on medication packaging, particularly in Italy and other European markets. They encode product identification numbers used in dispensing verification and healthcare supply chain tracking. PHARMA2T is the two-track variant for higher data density on smaller packaging.
Library Barcodes
CODABAR is used in library systems, blood banks, and some logistics contexts. It encodes numeric data with limited special characters and does not require a mandatory check digit in basic implementations.
TELEPENALPHA supports the full ASCII character set and is used in UK library management systems for item identification. TELEPENNUMERIC encodes digits only and produces a more compact code for numeric shelf marks.
Download and Print Specifications
Download barcodes as PNG for digital systems such as inventory databases and on-screen display. For physical labels, packaging, and printed materials, SVG is the correct format. SVG scales to any label size without quality loss, which is required for professional label printing.
PDF is available for print-ready output where a document format is required rather than an image file.
For retail EAN-13 and UPC barcodes, the minimum X-dimension (module width) is 0.33mm at 100 percent magnification. Acceptable magnification ranges from 80 to 200 percent of nominal size depending on packaging constraints. For industrial Code 128, module widths of 0.25mm to 0.50mm work with most modern scanners. Always verify barcode readability with a verifier or test scanner before finalising a print production run.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a barcode and a QR code?
A traditional barcode (1D barcode) is a one-dimensional pattern scanned by a single horizontal sweep of a laser or linear imager. A QR code is a two-dimensional pattern read by a camera scanning both horizontal and vertical directions. Standard 1D barcodes store considerably less data than QR codes but are read by the laser scanners common in retail checkout and warehouse environments. QR codes require camera-based scanners.
Do I need GS1 registration to use these barcodes?
GS1 registration is required only for barcodes on products sold through retail channels, where a globally unique GTIN must be assigned to each product. Barcodes generated for internal use such as asset tracking, warehouse inventory, document management, or library cataloguing do not require GS1 registration and can be used commercially without restriction.
Which format should I use for product packaging?
For retail distribution outside North America, use EAN-13. For North American retail, use UPC-A. For shipping cartons and outer packaging, use ITF-14. For general internal logistics and warehouse labelling, Code 128 is the most versatile choice. For numeric-only data in tight label spaces, Interleaved 2 of 5 is the most compact option.
What is the maximum data a barcode can store?
Storage capacity varies significantly by format. Code 128 can encode variable-length alphanumeric strings up to the physical size limits of the label. EAN-13 is fixed at 13 digits. Code 39 typically encodes up to 25 characters in practice, though technically unlimited. For high data density, QR codes store far more than any 1D barcode format and are the appropriate choice when large amounts of data need to be encoded in a small space.