Retail trade-item numbers
Use the UPC, EAN, or ITF-14 format required by the applicable retail or packaging workflow. Do not invent registration or ownership claims from a valid check digit.
Barcode Types
Compare barcode and QR code formats side by side: 12 linear (1D) formats and 5 matrix or stacked (2D) formats, including the data they carry, their integrity checks, typical uses, and whether this site currently scans or generates them.
Barcode format comparison table
“Scan” means the format appears in the shipped scanner manifest. “Generate” means it appears in the shipped generator manifest. A supported format can still fail when an image is damaged, incomplete, too small, poorly lit, or outside the decoder’s practical limits.
| Format | Class | Data | Typical use | Integrity or error control | Scan | Generate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPC-A | 1D | 11-digit payload plus check digit | Retail trade items using GTIN-12 | Mandatory GS1 Mod 10 check digit | Supported | Supported |
| UPC-E | 1D | Zero-compressed UPC; 7 or 8 digits in this generator | Small retail packages with compatible UPC values | Check digit calculated from the expanded UPC-A value | Supported | Supported |
| EAN-8 | 1D | 7-digit payload plus check digit | Compact retail identifiers | Mandatory GS1 Mod 10 check digit | Supported | Supported |
| EAN-13 | 1D | 12-digit payload plus check digit | Retail trade items using GTIN-13 | Mandatory GS1 Mod 10 check digit | Supported | Supported |
| ITF-14 | 1D | 13-digit GTIN payload plus check digit | Cases, cartons, and packaging levels | Mandatory GS1 Mod 10 check digit | Supported | Supported |
| Interleaved 2 of 5 | 1D | Numeric digit pairs | Internal logistics and numeric identifiers | No universal check digit; application rules vary | Supported | Supported |
| Code 39 | 1D | Uppercase letters, digits, space, and a limited symbol set | Asset, inventory, and industrial identifiers | Optional Mod 43 check character | Supported | Supported |
| Code 93 | 1D | Alphanumeric; extended encodings can represent more characters | Compact internal identifiers | Two mandatory check characters | Supported | Not offered |
| Code 128 | 1D | ASCII through Code Sets A, B, and C | Shipping, logistics, and general identifiers | Mandatory symbol check character | Supported | Supported |
| Codabar | 1D | Digits and selected symbols between A, B, C, or D delimiters | Legacy library, laboratory, and internal workflows | Application-specific or optional check digit | Supported | Supported |
| GS1 DataBar (RSS-14) | 1D | GTIN data in a compact linear symbol | Compact GS1 trade-item identification | Carries a GTIN with its check digit | Supported | Not offered |
| GS1 DataBar Expanded | 1D | GS1 Application Identifier element strings | Variable-measure and extended GS1 data | Symbol checks plus any check digits required by encoded data | Supported | Not offered |
| QR Code | 2D | Text or binary data | Links, text, contact data, and structured payloads | Built-in Reed–Solomon error correction | Supported | Supported |
| Data Matrix | 2D | Text or binary data | Compact identifiers and small-item marking | Built-in error correction | Supported | Supported |
| PDF417 | 2D | Text or binary data in stacked rows | Documents, transport, and identification workflows | Configurable error correction | Supported | Not offered |
| Aztec | 2D | Text or binary data | Tickets and compact matrix-code workflows | Built-in error correction | Supported | Not offered |
| MaxiCode | 2D | Structured text and binary data | High-speed parcel and logistics workflows | Built-in error correction | Supported | Not offered |
How to choose a barcode format
Choose the format required by the organization or system that will read the code. A technically valid symbol is not useful when the receiving workflow expects another symbology or data structure.
General internal identifiers
Code 128 is dense and flexible. Code 39 is simpler but larger. Code 93 may suit an existing system that already requires it.
Numeric logistics identifiers
Interleaved 2 of 5 is numeric and pair-based. ITF-14 is the defined packaging application that carries a GTIN-14.
Small labels and direct marking
Data Matrix is commonly selected when a compact matrix symbol is needed. Printing method, module size, contrast, and the target scanner still matter.
Links and structured text
QR Code is convenient for text and URLs, but the encoded destination must be reviewed. A successful decode does not make a website safe.
Existing document or transport systems
PDF417, Aztec, MaxiCode, Codabar, and GS1 DataBar should normally be used because a specific downstream system already requires them.
1D and 2D barcodes are not interchangeable
1D or linear formats
Linear barcodes encode information across bars and spaces. They are often appropriate for short identifiers, especially when a database supplies the associated product or record details.
2D, matrix, and stacked formats
Two-dimensional formats can carry more data and include error-correction mechanisms, but they still require adequate module size, contrast, focus, and a decoder that supports the chosen symbology.
The same 1D and 2D barcode scanner reads both classes, so a 2D barcode scan works exactly like a linear one. Read the dedicated 1D versus 2D barcode guide for a deeper comparison.
Format details
UPC-A
1DUPC-A prints a 12-digit retail identifier. The final digit checks the number structure, but it does not confirm that a product exists or is authentic.
- Data
- 11-digit payload plus check digit
- Typical use
- Retail trade items using GTIN-12
- Integrity or error control
- Mandatory GS1 Mod 10 check digit
UPC-E
1DUPC-E shortens certain number-system 0 or 1 UPC-A values by suppressing zeroes. Not every UPC-A number can be represented as UPC-E.
- Data
- Zero-compressed UPC; 7 or 8 digits in this generator
- Typical use
- Small retail packages with compatible UPC values
- Integrity or error control
- Check digit calculated from the expanded UPC-A value
EAN-8
1DEAN-8 carries an eight-digit retail identifier and is useful when the available label area is smaller than a typical EAN-13 symbol.
- Data
- 7-digit payload plus check digit
- Typical use
- Compact retail identifiers
- Integrity or error control
- Mandatory GS1 Mod 10 check digit
EAN-13
1DEAN-13 prints a 13-digit retail identifier. A structurally valid check digit is not evidence of registration, ownership, or product authenticity.
- Data
- 12-digit payload plus check digit
- Typical use
- Retail trade items using GTIN-13
- Integrity or error control
- Mandatory GS1 Mod 10 check digit
ITF-14
1DITF-14 uses the Interleaved 2 of 5 bar pattern to carry a GTIN-14. It is distinct from a general-purpose Interleaved 2 of 5 identifier.
- Data
- 13-digit GTIN payload plus check digit
- Typical use
- Cases, cartons, and packaging levels
- Integrity or error control
- Mandatory GS1 Mod 10 check digit
Interleaved 2 of 5
1DInterleaved 2 of 5 encodes digits in pairs. This site’s generator prefixes an odd-length value with zero so the rendered data contains complete pairs.
- Data
- Numeric digit pairs
- Typical use
- Internal logistics and numeric identifiers
- Integrity or error control
- No universal check digit; application rules vary
Code 39
1DCode 39 is straightforward to print and read, but it is less dense than Code 128. The shipped generator converts lowercase input to uppercase.
- Data
- Uppercase letters, digits, space, and a limited symbol set
- Typical use
- Asset, inventory, and industrial identifiers
- Integrity or error control
- Optional Mod 43 check character
Code 93
1DCode 93 is denser than Code 39 and includes two check characters. The current site decoder supports it, while the current generator does not offer it.
- Data
- Alphanumeric; extended encodings can represent more characters
- Typical use
- Compact internal identifiers
- Integrity or error control
- Two mandatory check characters
Code 128
1DCode 128 provides high data density for mixed identifiers. This site’s generator accepts printable ASCII and calculates the symbol check character.
- Data
- ASCII through Code Sets A, B, and C
- Typical use
- Shipping, logistics, and general identifiers
- Integrity or error control
- Mandatory symbol check character
Codabar
1DCodabar values use start and stop delimiters. The generator validates those delimiters and the restricted interior character set before rendering.
- Data
- Digits and selected symbols between A, B, C, or D delimiters
- Typical use
- Legacy library, laboratory, and internal workflows
- Integrity or error control
- Application-specific or optional check digit
GS1 DataBar (RSS-14)
1DThe scanner manifest names this format RSS-14. The current decoder supports it, but the current generator does not expose a GS1 DataBar option.
- Data
- GTIN data in a compact linear symbol
- Typical use
- Compact GS1 trade-item identification
- Integrity or error control
- Carries a GTIN with its check digit
GS1 DataBar Expanded
1DGS1 DataBar Expanded can carry more than a single GTIN by using GS1 Application Identifiers. The current site supports decoding but not generation.
- Data
- GS1 Application Identifier element strings
- Typical use
- Variable-measure and extended GS1 data
- Integrity or error control
- Symbol checks plus any check digits required by encoded data
QR Code
2DQR Code supports several encoding modes and multiple error-correction levels. A decoded URL or action must still be reviewed before it is opened.
- Data
- Text or binary data
- Typical use
- Links, text, contact data, and structured payloads
- Integrity or error control
- Built-in Reed–Solomon error correction
Data Matrix
2DData Matrix can encode useful amounts of data in a compact square or rectangular symbol. The receiving system determines how the decoded text is interpreted.
- Data
- Text or binary data
- Typical use
- Compact identifiers and small-item marking
- Integrity or error control
- Built-in error correction
PDF417
2DPDF417 is a stacked two-dimensional symbology designed for larger payloads than common linear codes. It is currently available in the decoder only.
- Data
- Text or binary data in stacked rows
- Typical use
- Documents, transport, and identification workflows
- Integrity or error control
- Configurable error correction
Aztec
2DAztec uses a central finder pattern and can work without the same surrounding quiet-zone requirement as QR Code. It is currently available in the decoder only.
- Data
- Text or binary data
- Typical use
- Tickets and compact matrix-code workflows
- Integrity or error control
- Built-in error correction
MaxiCode
2DMaxiCode uses a fixed-size matrix with a central finder pattern. The current site decoder declares support, while the generator does not offer this format.
- Data
- Structured text and binary data
- Typical use
- High-speed parcel and logistics workflows
- Integrity or error control
- Built-in error correction
Barcode type questions
Does a valid check digit prove that a barcode is assigned?
No. A check digit verifies a mathematical relationship between digits. It does not prove registration, product existence, ownership, authenticity, or database membership.
Why can the scanner read a format that the generator does not create?
The decoder and generator use separate manifests and libraries. This page reports their current capabilities independently instead of assuming identical format coverage.
How do I scan a 2D barcode like QR Code or Data Matrix?
Any 2D barcode scan uses the same tools as a linear code: upload an image or open the camera. This 1D and 2D barcode scanner reads QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec, and MaxiCode alongside the linear formats.
Is QR Code always better than a linear barcode?
No. QR Code carries more data, while a linear format may be simpler, smaller in one dimension, or required by an established retail or logistics workflow.
Why does a supported barcode still fail to scan?
Possible causes include blur, glare, low contrast, missing quiet zones, distortion, cropped modules, excessive data density, or a symbol that does not follow the expected format.