Barcode Types at a glance
Overview of common 1D & 2D barcode formats

Nowadays, Barcodes are ubiquitous and we encounter them in various industries such as trade, banking, industry, logistics, manufacturing, air travel, healthcare, insurance, parcel services or classically in the supermarket. Barcodes serve as an efficient means of automatic identification and data capture of products and information. Since their invention in 1948, several formats have been added, which we describe in the following article.

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What barcode types are available?

Basically, one can differentiate between two barcode symbologies: 1D barcodes (one-dimensional) and 2D barcodes (two-dimensional).
There are about 100 types of barcodes available worldwide. In the following, we will focus on the most common kinds of barcodes.

1D Barcodes or linear barcodes

1D barcodes, also called linear barcodes, are a graphical representation of data in the form of parallel lines and spaces of varying width. 1D barcodes encode information in a single dimension and therefore contain only a limited amount of data. They are still the most common barcode types today.

Common 1D barcode types:

• EAN:
  European Article Number, probably one of the best known 1D barcodes, mainly used for product identification in retail and distribution worldwide. EAN-13 and EAN-8 are the two most common variants, encoding 13 and 8 digits respectively. Thereby they are often used by libraries, universities or booksellers for the traceability of books.
• UPC:
  Universal Product Code, a widely used barcode format for product identification in North America, UK, Australia & New Zealand consisting of the variants UPC-A with 12 digits (for most products) and UPC-E with 6 digits (for small items). UPC codes are commonly used in retail to ensure product tracking from production to distribution.
• Code 25:
  Code 25: A low-density 1D numeric barcode format used primarily for marking warehouse and industrial items that encodes data in pairs of digits.
• ISBN:
  International Standard Book Number, a unique 13-digit barcode assigned to books for identification in the publishing industry.
• GS1-128:
  Also known as UCC/EAN-128, a high-density 1D barcode format used for supply chain and logistics applications that encodes various data types and GS1 application identifier.
• GS1 DataBar:
  Formerly also known as Reduced Space Symbology, a barcode family developed by GS1 and used to identify small items in areas such as healthcare and fresh produce.
• GS1 DataBar Expanded:
  The GS1 DataBar Expanded is a barcode symbology that can encode up to 74 numeric or 41 alphanumeric characters, allowing for the inclusion of additional product information such as weight, expiration date, and coupon codes. It is commonly used in retail and healthcare industries for detailed item tracking and product identification.
• MSI Plessey:
  Also called Modified Plessey barcodes. A barcode format used in inventory management and grocery stores that encodes numeric data with a fixed number of digits.
• ITF:
  Interleaved 2 of 5, a purely numeric 1D barcode format with high data density, often used for marking cartons and pallets. To create a symbol, two digits are paired at a time.
• Codabar:
  A self-checking 1D barcode format that can encode numeric digits and some special characters and is widely used in libraries, blood banks, and photo labs.
• Code 128:
  A high-density linear barcode that can encode alphanumeric data and special characters and is widely used in various industries such as packaging and shipping due to its versatility and compact size. It also offers high data capacity. Zudem bietet er eine hohe Datenkapazität.
• Code 39:
  Code 39 is an alphanumeric barcode that can encode uppercase letters, numbers and some special characters. It is often used in various industries for logistics and identification purposes and is one of the oldest barcodes ever. Code 39 is similar to barcode 128, but is not as compact and is limited by a fairly low data density.
• Code 32:
  A Code 32 barcode is a variant of the Code 39 barcode, specifically designed for use in Italy's pharmaceutical industry. It encodes numeric-only data, typically a seven-digit number, to uniquely identify pharmaceutical products.
• Code 93:
  A 1D alphanumeric barcode format similar to Code 39, but capable of encoding more characters and used in shipping and identification applications.
• Code 11:
  A Code 11 is a numeric-only barcode symbology used primarily in telecommunications. It can encode digits (0-9) and the dash character (-), and is often used for labeling equipment like telecommunication gear and identifying components.
• Industrial 2 of 5:
  A high-density 1D numeric barcode format commonly used in industrial applications and warehouse management due to its compact size and data density.
• IATA 2 of 5:
  A variant of the 2-of-5 barcode used by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to track air cargo.
• IMEI:
  IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity and is a unique 15-digit barcode used worldwide to identify mobile devices.
• VIN barcode:
  A Vehicle Identification Number barcode is a scannable 1D code that encodes the unique 17-character alphanumeric identifier assigned to a motor vehicle. It allows for quick and accurate retrieval of the vehicle's details, such as make, model, and manufacturing information.

2D Barcodes

Unlike linear barcodes, 2D barcodes encode data in two dimensions, which gives them a much higher data storage capacity. To read 2D codes, a reader with a camera is required.

Common 2D barcode types:

• QR-Code (Quick Response Code):
  The QR code is one of the most popular 2D barcodes. It can store a large amount of data, including text, URLs, contact information, and more. QR codes are widely used in marketing, advertising, and mobile applications. There are different types of QR codes available.
• Micro QR-Code:
  A Micro QR Code is a smaller version of the standard QR Code, designed for applications where space is limited. It can store up to 35 numeric characters and is commonly used on small products and packaging for encoding URLs, product IDs, or other short data.
• rMQR Code:
  An rMQR Code (Rectangular Micro QR Code) is a compact 2D barcode that allows for flexible rectangular shapes, making it ideal for space-constrained applications. It can encode up to 361 numeric characters, offering a high data capacity in a smaller area, often used in logistics, retail, and electronics.
• PDF417:
  PDF417 is a high capacity stacked 2D barcode and is widely used for storing large amounts of data such as personal information, airline tickets and ID cards.
• MicroPDF417:
  A MicroPDF417 code is a compact 2D barcode symbology designed for applications where space is limited. It can encode up to 150 bytes of data, making it ideal for use in labeling small items, such as on pharmaceutical packaging or small electronic components.
• Data Matrix:
  Data Matrix code is widely used in manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics industries. It can store both numeric and alphanumeric data and encode very large amounts of data in a small space.
• GS1 Data Matrix Code:
  A GS1 Data Matrix Code is a 2D barcode designed to encode GS1-compliant data in a square or rectangular matrix format, capable of holding up to 2,335 alphanumeric characters. It is commonly used for high-density data storage in applications like product labeling and traceability, particularly in the healthcare and manufacturing sectors.
• Aztec Code:
  Aztec Code is a compact 2D barcode that is particularly robust due to its error correction capabilities. It is used in boarding passes, tickets, and industrial identification and is characterized by its space-saving behavior.
• PPN (Pharmacy Product Number):
  A 2D barcode format used in the pharmaceutical industry to uniquely identify medicines.
• NTIN (National Trade Item Number):
  NTIN is a 2D barcode format used in some countries for retail product identification.
• Royal Mail Mailmark:
  A 2D barcode format used by Royal Mail in the UK to improve shipment tracking and processing.
• Girocode:
  A 2D barcode format used in Germany for fast and convenient money transfers using smartphones or online banking.
• Swiss QR-Code:
  A 2D barcode format used in Switzerland for e-invoicing and payments to encode banking information and billing data.
• UDI Code:
  A UDI (Unique Device Identifier) Code is a standardized identification system used to label and track medical devices throughout their lifecycle. It provides a unique code that includes key information about the device, such as the manufacturer, product type, and production details, to enhance patient safety and device traceability.

What is a GS1 barcode?

In the listings above, several barcodes were exemplary mentioned with the addition “GS1”.

GS1 barcodes are a type of barcode system developed by the global organization GS1 that sets standards for various aspects of business, including product identification and supply chain management. GS1 barcodes are used to uniquely identify products, locations, assets, and more, and they are commonly found on retail products, shipping containers, and inventory items.

A GS1 barcode is essential when you're a manufacturer, distributor, or seller of products that will be sold through retail channels or involved in supply chain management.

The most well-known type of GS1 barcode is the UPC (Universal Product Code), which is widely used in North America for retail products. UPC barcodes consist of a series of parallel lines (the "barcode") and a numerical code underneath. Other types of GS1 barcodes include EAN (European Article Number) used internationally, GS1-128, GS1 DataBar, and GS1-DataMatrix, among others.

GS1 barcodes enable efficient and accurate tracking of products throughout the supply chain, from manufacturer to consumer. They help businesses manage inventory, improve logistics, reduce errors, and provide valuable information to consumers and retailers alike.

1D vs. 2D

While 1D barcodes encode data in a single row of parallel lines, 2D barcodes utilize both horizontal and vertical dimensions, enabling them to store more information in a compact format and support a wider range of applications.

This comparison shows that it really depends on the use case, its complexity and the data space available to decide which barcode scanning technology to use for your business.

In the future, the applications of barcodes may expand further as technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence enable even more precise and versatile use. Bar codes will play an important role in automating and improving business processes, and their importance in the digital world will continue to grow.

Integrate our Docutain Barcode Scanner SDK
Integrate high-quality Barcode Scanning into your own apps for Android, iOS, Windows or Cross-Platform for Xamarin, .NET MAUI, React Native, Flutter, Cordova & Ionic. Learn more about the Docutain Barcode Scanner SDK and contact us anytime via SDK@Docutain.com.

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