makebarcode.com

Barcode Comparison Chart

Barcode Symbology	Type	Character Set	Length	Checksum	Scanners	Applications/Comments
Australia Postal Code	2-D (height)	Numbers Only	4	Required	2D imager special reader	Includes error correction
Aztec Code	2-D matrix	Full ASCII; FNC1 and ESI control codes	Variable Min 12 Max 3832	Required	2D imager	Includes error correction; minimum is 15x15 square, largest is 151x151
Codabar	Linear	Digits 0-9 Symbols - : . $ / + Used as Start/Stop: A, B, C, D, E, *, N, T	Variable	None	Linear scanner 2D imager	Older code; often used in libraries and blood banks. See also USD-4, NW-7, 2of7
Code 11	Linear	Numbers only	Variable	Required	Linear scanner	Second check digit is recommended
Code 128	Linear	All ASCII characters and control codes	Variable	Required	Linear scanner	Widely used; excellent for many applications
Code 39	Linear	Uppercase letters A-Z Numbers 0-9 Space - . $ / + %	Variable	Optional	Linear scanner	In very wide use for many types of applications
Extended Code 39	Linear	All ASCII characters and control codes	Variable	Optional	Linear scanner	Uses pairs of characters to encode non-standard symbols; wasteful of space; requires proper scanner setup
Code 93	Linear	Uppercase letters A-Z Numbers 0-9 Space - . $ / + %	Variable	Optional	Linear scanner	A more compact cousin of Code 39, less widely in use
Composite Code	2-D Stacked	All ASCII characters	Variable	Required	2-D Scanner 2-D Imager	Code comprised of a PDF417 code stacked on top of a Code128; used in GS1(UCC/EAN) standards
Data Matrix	2-D Matrix	All ASCII characters	Variable up to 2335	Required	2-D Imager	Includes error correction
EAN-13	Linear	Numbers only	13 + check digit +2 optional +5 optional	Required	Linear Scanner	Retail product marking world-wide
EAN-8	Linear	Numbers only	7 + check digit	Required	Linear Scanner	Retail product marking world-wide; compressed code for products with limited label space
EAN Bookland	Linear	Numbers only	13 + check digit +2 optional +5 optional	Required	Linear Scanner	Special use of the EAN-13 symbol o encode ISBN number on books
Industrial 2 of 5	Linear	Numbers only	Variable	None	Linear Scanner	Older type of code
Interleaved 2 of 5	Linear	Numbers only	Variable (pairs)	Optional	Linear Scanner	Very compact; encodes digits in pairs so total length must be even number of digits
ISSN and SISAC	Linear	Letters and Numbers	Special Format	Required	Linear scanner	Special use of Code 128 for identifying publications internationally
ITF-14	Linear	Numbers only	13 + check digit	Required	Linear Scanner	Special use of the Interleaved 2 of 5 code to mark shipping cartons containing UPC encoded products (see also SCC-14)
LOGMARS	Linear	Uppercase letters A-Z Numbers 0-9 Space - . $ / + %	Variable	Optional	Linear Scanner	Same as Code 39; this is the US Government specification
Maxicode	2-D Matrix	All ASCII characters	93	Required	2-D Imager	Includes error correction, developed by the United Parcel Service for encoding destination informationn
MSI Plessey	Linear	Numbers only	Variable	Required	Linear Scanner	Grocery store shelf tags
OPC Optical Industry Assn.	Linear	Numbers only	9 + check digit	Required	Linear Scanner	Special use of Interleaved 2 of 5 for marking retail optical products
PDF-417	2-D Stacked	All ASCII characters	Variable	Required	2-D Scanner 2-D Imager	Includes error correction, up to about 1850 ASCII or 2725 numeric characters
Plessey	Linear	Numbers only	Variable	Required	Linear Scanner	Grocery store shelf tags
Postnet	2-D (Height)	Numbers only	5 + check digit +4 optional +6 optional	Required	2-D Imager Special Reader	USA postal code (ZIP code)
QR Code	2-D Matrix	All ASCII Characters	Variable	Required	2-D Imager Smart Phone	Includes error correction, up to about 1520 ASCII or 2509 numeric charcters Readable by most smart phones
SCC-14 Shipping Container Code	Linear	Numbers Only	13 + check digit	Required	Linear Scanner	Special use of UCC/EAN-128 to mark shipping cartons containing UPC encoded products (see also ITF-14)
Standard 2 of 5	Linear	Numbers only	Variable	None	Linear Scanner	Also called Industrial 2 of 5
UCC/EAN-128 (GS1-128)	Linear	All ASCII characters and control codes	Variable	Required	Linear Scanner	Special use of Code 128 which defines data formats for commerce
UPC Shipping Container Code (ITF-14)	Linear	Numbers Only	13 + check digit	Required	Linear Scanner	Special use of the Interleaved 2 of 5 code to mark shipping cartons containing UPC encoded products (see also SCC-14)
UPC-A	Linear	Numbers Only	11 + check digit +2 optional +5 optional	Required	Linear Scanner	Retail product marking in USA and Canada
UPC-E	Linear	Numbers Only	7 + check digit	Required	Linear Scanner	Retail products in USA and Canada; compressed code for products with limited label space