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1D: UPC/EAN/JAN, Code 39, Code 128, Interleaved 2 of 5, Codabar, GS1 DataBar, MSI Plessey, Code 11, Code 93, Matrix 2 of 5,Telepen, Pharmacode
Stacked 1D: PDF417, Micro PDF417, Codablock A&F
2D: Data Matrix, QR Code, Micro QR Code, Aztec Code, Maxicode
Postal: USPS OneCode (4CB), POSTNET, PLANET, Japanese Post, Australian Post, Royal Mail, KIX
OCR: OCR-A Font, OCR-B Font
Proprietary: GoCode®
Stacked 1D: PDF417, Micro PDF417, Codablock A&F
2D: Data Matrix, QR Code, Micro QR Code, Aztec Code, Maxicode
Postal: USPS OneCode (4CB), POSTNET, PLANET, Japanese Post, Australian Post, Royal Mail, KIX
OCR: OCR-A Font, OCR-B Font
Proprietary: GoCode®
| GoCode® | |
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| Type | 2D, Proprietary (Code Corporation) |
| Encodable Character Set | ASCII (ISO 646 IRV) (0-127) and ISO 8859-1 (128 - 255) |
| Matrix Size | Unique capability to grow in either height (rows) and width (columns) Min 1x3 blocks, Max 22x22 blocks |
| Codewords | 1789 |
| Quiet Zone | Minimum 1X |
| Max Data per Symbol |
Numeric: 3000 digits |
| Error Control | High and Low error correction modes. Reed-Solomon error correction |
| Typical Applications | Companies may utilize GoCode® as their own proprietary mark. GoCode® cannot be decoded or duplicated and is a perfect solution for counterfeiting problems or for applications requiring advanced security. GoCode® may also be created with user authentication features so that critical or sensitive data may only be read by approved and licensed readers. Learn more about GoCode®, our proprietary bar code symbology » |
| UPC/EAN/JAN | |
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| Type | 1D |
| Encodable Character Set | Numeric Characters: UPC: digits 0-9 EAN/JAN: digits 00-99 |
| Matrix Size | 1.469" W x 1.02" H |
| Symbol Overhead | UPC: First digit correlates to product code EAN/JAN: First two characters assigned to specific country |
| Symbol Character Structure | Code made up of four criteria: number system, manufacturing code, product code, and a check digit Number system tells type of product, manufacturing code contains 5 digits and is given by the UCC Council to manufacturer, product code is made up of 5 digits, and check digit verifies that bar code is valid |
| Quiet Zone | 0.25” on each side of bar code |
| Max Data per Symbol | UPC-A: 13 digits UPC-E: 6 digits EAN 8: 8 digits EAN 13: 13 digits |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for UPC/EAN/JAN are used on consumer goods in retail stores |
| Code 39 | |
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| Type | 1D |
| Encodable Character Set | Alphanumeric, 7 special characters, Full ASCII, 128 ASCII characters |
| Matrix Size | 0.25” H |
| Finder Pattern | Pattern alternates between light and dark, and narrow and wide bars |
| Symbol Overhead | Contains 9 elements consists of 5 bars and 4 spaces. Out of 9 elements 3 are wide |
| Symbol Character Structure | Start/stop character that is represented by asterisk followed by variable number of characters. There is an optional checksum digit that may be included in barcode |
| Quiet Zone | 0.10” on each side of bar code |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for Code 39 are used in Military, U.S. Government, defense and automotive industries |
| Code 128 | |
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| Type | 1D |
| Encodable Character Set | Alphanumeric, Full ASCII, 128 ASCII characters |
| Matrix Size | Minimum 0.25” H Minimum 0.30” W |
| Finder Pattern | Comprised of 106 different sizes of bars and space patterns which have ability to have diverse definitions |
| Symbol Character Structure | Start/stop characters and 13 digits. May have 3 characters sets of which have different meanings First set, encodes all upper case and ASCII characters, second set, encodes both upper and lower case characters, and third set, decodes pairs of digits 00-99 |
| Quiet Zone | 0.25” W before start character and after stop character |
| Max Data per Symbol | Variable length, high density |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for Code 128 are used in pallet product identification |
| Interleaved 2 of 5 | |
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| Type | 1D |
| Encodable Character Set | Numeric |
| Matrix Size | 0.25" H |
| Finder Pattern | Made up of five bars, two of which are wide. Wide bars are multiples of narrow bars that remain the same throughout bar code |
| Symbol Character Structure | Must consist of even number of digits. Check digit optional |
| Quiet Zone | 0.25” W before first digit and after last digit |
| Max Data per Symbol | Variable, high density |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for Interleaved 2 of 5 are used outside of the retail industry |
| Codabar | |
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| Type | 1D |
| Encodable Character Set | Numeric, 6 Symbols, and A,B,C, or D |
| Matrix Size | .005” - .020” W |
| Finder Pattern | Alternating narrow and wide bars divided into 7 elements with each character |
| Symbol Character Structure | Start/stop characters, digits 0 through 9, 6 symbols, A, B, C, or D as start/stop characters |
| Quiet Zone | None required |
| Max Data per Symbol | Variable length |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for Codabar are used in blood banks, libraries, overnight package deliveries, and information processing applications |
| GS1 DataBar (formerly RSS) | |
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| Type | 1D |
| Encodable Character Set | Numeric |
| Matrix Size | 0.75” H 0.13” - 0.21” W |
| Symbol Character Structure | Consists of 13 digits plus check digit |
| Quiet Zone | 0.125” top and bottom margin, 0.25” right and left margin |
| Max Data per Symbol |
Maximum of 14 digits |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for GS1 DataBar are placed on small items such as grocery produce, jewelry, and medical/surgical materials and pharmaceutical supplies |
| MSI Plessey | |
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| Type | 1D |
| Encodable Character Set | Numeric |
| Matrix Size | White areas with black should be equal to or less than .038” H Bar spacing: 0.002” - 0.007” W |
| Max Codewords | 12 digits per character, 1 bit equals 3 digits |
| Symbol Character Structure | Made up of 4 bit binary numbering system. Start/stop characters and check digit that is calculated from values of encoded digits |
| Quiet Zone | Space of 4 bits must be at beginning and end of bar code |
| Max Data per Symbol |
Variable length |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for MSI Plessey are used for markings on grocery store and warehouse shelving for inventory control, libraries and various production processes |
| Code 11 | |
| Type | 1D |
| Encodable Character Set | Numeric, (-) dash symbol |
| Finder Pattern | Width column each represents narrow, wide bar or space |
| Symbol Character Structure | Start/stop character, variation of characters, and optional 2 digits checksum character. If less than 10 digits bar code can only have 1 checksum digit |
| Max Data per Symbol |
43 characters |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for Code 11 are used on telecommunication equipment |
| Code 93 | |
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| Type | 1D |
| Encodable Character Set | Full ASCII, 128 ASCII characters |
| Matrix Size | Minimum 0.25” H Minimum 0.01” W |
| Finder Pattern | Nine modules. Bars and spaces range between 1-4 modules |
| Quiet Zone | 0.25" on each side of bar code |
| Max Data per Symbol |
48 characters |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for Code 93 are used by Canadian Post for additional delivery sorting services |
| Matrix 2 of 5 | |
| Type | 1D |
| Encodable Character Set | Numeric |
| Matrix Size | N/A |
| Symbol Character Structure | Code consists of 2 white bars and 3 black bars. Bars alternate between black and white, 2 bars within segment are wide |
| Max Data per Symbol | Variable |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for Matrix 2 of 5 are used in airline industry for numbering tickets, photo finishes, and warehouse inventory control |
| Telepen | |
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| Type | 1D |
| Encodable Character Set | Full ASCII, 128 ASCII characters |
| Matrix Size | 16 modules, 2 bar widths |
| Finder Pattern | All characters have equal amount of space |
| Symbol Character Structure | Varying widths of bars and spaces |
| Quiet Zone | None required |
| Max Data per Symbol |
Variable, 16 digits per inch |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for Telepen are used in manufacturing, United Kingdom library systems, and Ministry of Defense |
| Pharmacode | |
| Type | 1D |
| Encodable Character Set | Numeric, Single integer range 3 - 131070 |
| Matrix Size |
Minimum 0.24" H Bar spacing: 0.004" - 0.04" |
| Finder Pattern | Consists of range of 2 – 16 bars Must use more than 3 bars and may be printed in color combinations |
| Symbol Character Structure | Each number has assigned code that is equal to number of bars Number value is calculated by the combination of thin and thick bars and location within the code |
| Max Data per Symbol |
Variable |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for Pharmacode are used on pharmaceutical packaging |
| PDF417 | |
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| Type | 2D |
| Encodable Character Set |
Default character set = US ASCII (ISO 646) values 0-127, plus PC437 values 125-255 |
| Matrix Size |
No. of rows: 3-90 subject to (r x c) < 928 |
| Max Codewords | 928 including 1 symbol length indicator and min. 2, max. 512 |
| Symbol Character Structure | (n,k, m) characters with n = 17, k = 4, m = 6 |
| Quiet Zone | Minimum 2X |
| Max Data per Symbol | Numeric: 2710 digits in Numeric Compaction Code Alphanumeric: 1850 charactersin Text Compaction Code Full ASCII: Not directly calculable Extended ASCII: Not directly calculable Byte: 1108 characters in Byte Compaction Mode |
| Error Control | Check characters: 2 codewords used for error detection User selectable errors correction levels: 9 (inc. level 0, no error correction) Max. errors correctable: 509 erasures or 254 errors |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for PDF417 are used for shipping data in ISO 15394, and is also used in applications by a number of industry associations such as the Automotive Industry Action Group and the Electronic Industries Association of America |
| MicroPDF417 | |
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| Type | 2D |
| Encodable Character Set | Default character set = US ASCII (ISO 646) values 0-127, plus PC437 values 125-255 Numeric and Byte data may also be encoded efficiently Access to 811 800 data interpretations and character sets |
| Matrix Size |
4-44 (in defined combinations with no. of columns) |
| Max Codewords | 176 including 1 ECI descriptor and 50 error correction codewords |
| Symbol Character Structure |
Data codewords: (n, k, m) characters with n=17, k=4, m=6 |
| Quiet Zone | Minimum 1X |
| Max Data per Symbol |
Numeric: 366 digits |
| Error Control | Check characters: 2 codewords used for error detection No. of error correction codewords: from 7 to 50, fixed for each combination of columns and rows Max. errors correctable: 47 erasures or 24 errors |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for Micro PDF417 are used on small item marking. MicroPDF417 has been adopted as one of the 2D components of the UPC/EAN Composite symbols |
| Codablock A&F | |
| Type | 1D |
| Encodable Character Set | Full ASCII, 128 ASCII characters |
| Matrix Size |
0.30" |
| Finder Pattern | Each row consists may contain variable number of characters. Codablock F contains range 2 - 44 rows with a maximum of 62 characters |
| Symbol Character Structure |
Consists of range of 2 – 22 rows. Each bar code has a start/stop symbol. Every row consists of 2 characters and last row may contain an optional check sum digit |
| Max Data per Symbol |
2725 characters |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for Codablock A & F are used in blood banks and automotive industry |
| QR Code | |
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| Type | 2D |
| Encodable Character Set |
ASCII (ISO 646 IRV) (0-127) and ISO 8859-1 (128-255). |
| Matrix Size | Fixed, 33 rows alternately 30 and 29 modules wide (total 884 modules) |
| Finder Pattern | Bull's eye pattern of three concentric dark circles and three included light areas, at centre of the symbol, occupying equivalent of 90 modules |
| Symbol Overhead | Orientation patterns (18 modules) and 2 unused modules |
| Max Codewords | 144, including 50 (standard) or 66 (enhanced) error correction code words and in 1 mode codeword. |
| Symbol Character Structure | 6 hexagonal cells arranged in 3 x 2 matrix (shape modified where necessary to accommodate finder and orientation patterns and boundary conditions) |
| Quiet Zone | Minimum 4X |
| Max Data per Symbol |
Numeric: 138 digits |
| Error Control |
Error control: Reed-Solomon error correction |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for QR Code are used in the motor and electronics manufacturing industries, on manufacturing documentation and in high-speed sortation systems |
| Micro QR Code | |
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| Type | 2D |
| Encodable Character Set |
Alphanumeric, symbols |
| Matrix Size | Must be between 2-17 modules wide |
| Finder Pattern | One distinct pattern top left corner |
| Max Codewords | 15 bytes |
| Quiet Zone | 2X |
| Max Data per Symbol |
Numeric: 35 digits |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for Micro QR Code are used to imprint on electronic parts and circuit boards |
| Aztec Code | |
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| Type | 2D |
| Encodable Character Set | ASCII (ISO 646 IRV) (0-127) and ISO 8859-1 (128-255). Alternative character sets encodable using ECI protocol |
| Matrix Size | "Compact" Aztec Code: from 15 x 15 to 27 x 27, increasing in steps of 4 modules in each direction "Full-range" Aztec Code: from 19 x 19 to 151 x 151, increasing in steps of 4 modules in each direction (6 in certain cases, to allow for reference grid) "Aztec Rune": fixed size 11 x 11 |
| Finder Pattern | Central bull's eye pattern of alternately dark and light concentric squares 1 module thick around a single central module - 2 layers for "Compact" Aztec Code and Aztech Rune, and 3 layers for "Full-range" symbols |
| Symbol Overhead | Finder + orientation patterns (Compact: 83 modules; Full-range: 181 modules); reference grid (full range symbols) (no. of modules varies with symbol size from 12 to 2792); mode message (Compact; 28 modules; Full-range: 40 modules) |
| Max Codewords | 1664 x 12-bit |
| Quiet Zone | None required |
| Max Data per Symbol |
Numeric: 7089 digits |
| Error Control | Error control: Reed-Solomon error correction Error correction levels; 4 user seletable (L, M, Q and H) Max. errors correctable (Version 40-H symbol) 2530 erasures or 1215 errors |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for MaxiCode is used in transportation, and in the sorting, handling and tracking of packages by carriers |
| Maxicode | |
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| Type | 2D |
| Encodable Character Set | ASCII (ISO 646 IRV) (0-127), JIS-X0201 (Latin and Katakana), Shift JIS (in accordance with JIS-X0208 Annex I) Alternative character sets encodable using ECI protocol |
| Matrix Size | Model 1 symbols: 21 x 21 to 73 x 73 increasing in of 4 modules in both dimensions (referred to as Versions 1 to 14) Model 2 symbols: 21 x 21 to 177 x 177 increasing in steps of 4 modules in both dimensions(referred to as Versions 1 to 40) |
| Finder Pattern | Pattern of concentric dark/light/dark squares 7 x 7 modules overall, in each of three corners of the symbol |
| Symbol Overhead | Function patterns (separator, timing patterns, alignment patterns), format information, version information (versions 7-40) |
| Max Codewords | 3706, including 750/1372/2040/2430 error correction codewords |
| Quiet Zone | None required |
| Max Data per Symbol |
Numeric: 7089 digits |
| Error Control |
Error control: Reed-Solomon error correction |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for MaxiCode are used in transportation, and in the sorting, handling and tracking of packages by carriers |
| USPS OneCode (4CB) | |
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| Type | Postal |
| Encodable Character Set | Numeric |
| Matrix Size | Tall bar: 0.125” - 0.165” H, 0.015” - 0.025” W Half bar: 0.039” - 0.057” H, 0.015” - 0.025” W Bar spacing: 0.012” - 0.040” W |
| Finder Pattern | Each character has unique name, barcode, and value Symbol contains combination of tall, short and spaces |
| Symbol Character Structure | Contains 5 digits zip code, 4 digits, and 2 digits destination point code |
| Max Data per Symbol |
May contain 5,9, or 11 digits |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for USPS are used in US Postal automated mailing sorting services |
| POSTNET | |
| Type | Postal |
| Encodable Character Set | Numeric |
| Matrix Size | Tall bar: 0.115” - 0.135” H, 0.015” - 0.025” W Half bar: 0.04” - 0.06” H, 0.015” - 0.025” W Bar spacing: 0.012” - 0.040” W |
| Finder Pattern | Each character has unique name, barcode, and value Contains 5 digits zip code, 4 digits, and 2 digit destination point code |
| Symbol Overhead | Zip code contains 32 bars, zipcode + 4 contains 52 bars, zipcode + 4 + destination code contains 62 bars |
| Symbol Character Structure | Begins/ends with tall bar, correction character consists of 5 bars placed far right of symbol inside tall bar. |
| Max Data per Symbol |
May contain 5,9, or 11 digits |
| Error Control | Sum of digits in barcode minus round number to nearest multiple of 10 digits |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for POSTNET are used in US Postal Service |
| PLANET | |
| Type | Postal |
| Encodable Character Set | Numeric |
| Matrix Size | Tall bar: 0.115” - 0.135” H, 0.015” - 0.025” W Half bar: 0.04” - 0.06” H, 0.015” - 0.025” W Bar spacing: 0.012” - 0.040” W |
| Finder Pattern | Each character has unique name, barcode, and value Contains 5 digits zip code, 4 digit, and 2 digit destination point code |
| Symbol Character Structure | First two digits represent type of service, next nine digits represent type of mail piece, and last digit represents checksum digit |
| Max Data per Symbol |
May contain 5,9, or 11 digits |
| Error Control | Last digit is checksum digit. |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for PLANET are used in US Postal confirmation and direct mailing piece services |
| Japanese Post | |
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| Type | Postal |
| Encodable Character Set | Alphanumeric and hyphen |
| Symbol Character Structure | Consists of 7 digit zip code and address information There may be hyphen after 4th digit and also between postal code and address information |
| Quiet Zone | N/A |
| Max Data per Symbol |
20 characters |
| Error Control | Last digit is checksum digit |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for Japanese Post are used in Japan Postal automated mail services |
| Australian Post | |
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| Type | Postal |
| Encodable Character Set | Alphanumeric, space and # characters |
| Matrix Size | 0.039” - 0.063” H 0.016” - 0.024” W Bar spacing: 0.016” - 0.028” W |
| Finder Pattern | Symbol consists of 4 types of bars: Full bar, ascender, tracker, and descender. Each character has unique name, barcode, and value |
| Symbol Overhead | Format Control Code must be 11,87,45,92,59,62,44 Sorting Code assigned code for specific delivery point Customer Information must equal 59,62, or 44 |
| Symbol Character Structure | Format Control Code- 2 digits, Sorting Code- 8 digits, and optional Customer Information- 5 or 10 characters |
| Quiet Zone | Top and bottom margin 0.08”, right and left margin 0.024" |
| Max Data per Symbol |
25 digits |
| Error Control | Reed Solomon Error Correction |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for Australian Post are used in Australian Post automated mail sorting services |
| Royal Mail | |
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| Type | Postal |
| Encodable Character Set | Alphanumeric, open and close brackets used as start/stop characters |
| Matrix Size | 0.04” - 0.06” H 0.015” - 0.025” W Bar Spacing: 0.015” - 0.025” W |
| Finder Pattern | Symbol consists of 4 types of bars: Full bar, ascender, tracker, and descender Each character has unique name, bar code, and value |
| Symbol Overhead |
Specific markings are assigned to each character |
| Symbol Character Structure | Start/stop characters, unique bars & spaces, ending with checksum character |
| Quiet Zone | 0.08” each side of bar code |
| Max Data per Symbol |
20-24 bars per inch |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for Royal Mail are used in United Kingdom automated mail services |
| KIX | |
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| Type | Postal |
| Encodable Character Set | Alphanumeric |
| Matrix Size | 0.04” - 0.06” H 0.015” - 0.025” W Bar spacing: 0.015” - 0.025” W |
| Finder Pattern | Symbol consists of 4 types of bars: Full bar, ascender, tracker, and descender. Each character has unique name, barcode, and value |
| Symbol Character Structure | Specific markings are assigned to each character, code made up of 11 characters |
| Quiet Zone | 0.08” each side of bar code |
| Max Data per Symbol |
11 characters |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for KIX are used in Netherland Royal Dutch automated mail services |
| OCR-A Font | |
| Type | OCR |
| Encodable Character Set | ISO 1073/ I ANSI INCITS 17 |
| Matrix Size | 0.094” H 0.055” W Line thickness: 0.014” Character pitch: 0.1” Font should be 9 points |
| Symbol Character Structure | Consists of combination of upper and lower cases letters, numbers, and special characters |
| Quiet Zone | None required |
| Max Data per Symbol |
Variable |
| Error Control | N/A |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for OCR-A Font used where automated services are needed to read text rather than characters such as on bank checks, serial number labels, and passports |
| OCR-B Font | |
| Type | OCR |
| Encodable Character Set | ANSI INCITS 49 / ISO 1073 / ECMA-11 |
| Matrix Size |
0.094” H |
| Finder Pattern | Font has curved ends |
| Symbol Character Structure | Consists of combination of upper and lower cases letters, numbers, and special characters |
| Quiet Zone | None required |
| Max Data per Symbol |
Variable |
| Typical Applications | Primary applications for OCR-B Font are used where automated services are needed to read text rather than characters such as on bank checks, serial number labels, and passports |