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Barcode Types Guide — UPC, EAN, Code 128, QR & More

There are dozens of barcode formats in active use, each optimised for a specific industry, data type, or scanning environment. Choosing the wrong format can result in barcodes that retail scanners cannot read, supply chain systems reject, or online marketplaces refuse to accept. This guide covers every major barcode format, what data each encodes, and which industries use them.

1D Barcode Formats

One-dimensional barcodes encode data in a series of parallel bars and spaces of varying widths. They are read by a laser or LED scanner that sweeps across the barcode horizontally. All standard retail, logistics, and inventory barcodes are 1D.

UPC-A — North American Retail Standard

UPC-A encodes exactly 12 digits. It is the barcode on virtually every product sold in a North American grocery store, pharmacy, or mass merchandise retailer. The first digit indicates the product category; digits 2–6 are the GS1 Company Prefix; digits 7–11 are the item reference; digit 12 is the check digit. UPC-A can only encode numeric data and is not suitable for alphanumeric applications.

Use when: selling physical products at retail in the USA or Canada.

EAN-13 — International Retail Standard

EAN-13 encodes 13 digits and is the international counterpart to UPC-A. Every UPC-A number is a valid EAN-13 — prepend a zero to convert. EAN-13 is required for retail in Europe, Australia, Japan, and most non-North American markets, and for many Amazon global marketplaces. All modern retail scanners worldwide read both UPC-A and EAN-13.

Use when: selling internationally or on Amazon marketplaces outside the USA.

EAN-8 — Compact International Barcode

EAN-8 encodes 8 digits in a shorter barcode suitable for small packaging such as lipstick tubes, small batteries, and confectionery items where a full EAN-13 would not fit. EAN-8 numbers are issued separately by GS1 and are not a simple truncation of an EAN-13 number.

Use when: packaging is too small for EAN-13 and you sell in international retail.

Code 128 — High-Density Alphanumeric

Code 128 can encode all 128 ASCII characters — upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters — at high density. It is widely used in shipping and logistics (FedEx, UPS, USPS labels), inventory management, healthcare, and any application requiring alphanumeric data. Code 128 has three sub-types: Code 128A (uppercase alphanumeric), Code 128B (full alphanumeric), and Code 128C (numeric pairs for maximum density). Most generators select the optimal sub-type automatically.

Use when: you need to encode alphanumeric data such as SKUs, lot numbers, serial numbers, or tracking codes.

Code 39 — Legacy Alphanumeric Standard

Code 39 was one of the first barcodes to encode alphanumeric data. It supports uppercase letters, digits 0–9, and a limited set of special characters. Code 39 produces wider barcodes than Code 128 for the same data, making it less efficient but still widely deployed in automotive (VIN tags), defence (MIL-STD-1189), healthcare, and industrial settings where legacy systems require it.

Use when: your industry or system specifically requires Code 39, or for legacy compatibility.

ITF-14 — Shipping Cartons and Cases

ITF-14 (Interleaved Two of Five, 14 digits) is used to identify cases and cartons in the retail supply chain. It encodes a 14-digit GTIN-14, which includes a packaging indicator digit prepended to a GTIN-13. ITF-14 barcodes are typically printed directly on corrugated cardboard using high-contrast black ink. They are not used at the consumer unit level — they appear on the outer case or pallet that contains multiple consumer units.

Use when: labelling cases, cartons, or pallets for warehouse and supply chain tracking.

GS1-128 (formerly UCC/EAN-128)

GS1-128 is an application of Code 128 that uses GS1 Application Identifiers (AIs) to encode structured data — expiry dates, batch numbers, serial numbers, weight, and more — within a single barcode. It is mandatory in some pharmaceutical, food, and healthcare supply chains where multiple data elements must travel with each unit. A GS1-128 barcode might encode a GTIN, a lot number, and an expiry date all in one scannable symbol.

Use when: your supply chain requires structured supplemental data alongside the product GTIN.

2D Barcode Formats

Two-dimensional barcodes encode data in a grid of dots, squares, or other patterns rather than just horizontal bars. They hold vastly more data than 1D barcodes and can be read even when partially damaged. They require an image sensor (camera) rather than a laser scanner to read.

QR Code — Universal 2D Standard

QR (Quick Response) codes are the dominant 2D barcode format worldwide. They can encode up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters or 7,089 numeric characters. They are readable by any smartphone camera without a dedicated app. QR codes are used for URLs, WiFi credentials, contact cards, payment links, and marketing campaigns. Error correction levels L, M, Q, and H allow 7% to 30% of the code to be damaged while remaining scannable.

Use when: linking physical materials to digital content, or for any consumer-facing application where a smartphone is the scanning device.

Data Matrix — Industrial and Pharmaceutical

Data Matrix is a compact 2D format that can encode large amounts of data in a very small physical area. It is widely used in pharmaceutical packaging (where EU regulations mandate 2D codes on individual drug packages), electronics components, and aerospace parts. A Data Matrix code 5mm × 5mm can encode a full GTIN plus serial number.

Use when: you need to encode significant data in a very small space, particularly in pharmaceutical or industrial applications.

PDF417 — Documents and Government ID

PDF417 is a stacked linear barcode that can encode thousands of characters. It is used on driver's licences in North America, airline boarding passes, and some shipping labels. PDF417 codes are typically read by dedicated scanners rather than smartphone cameras.

Use when: your application requires high data capacity and is read by dedicated scanning equipment.

Quick access: UPC-A  ·  EAN-13  ·  Code 128  ·  ITF-14  ·  FNSKU  ·  PDF417

Choosing the Right Barcode Format

Format-Specific Guides

• GTIN vs UPC — What Is the Difference?
• EAN vs UPC — Which Do You Need?
• Code 128 vs Code 39 — Which to Use?
• Barcode Examples — Scannable Samples of Every Format