Barcode types

ActiveBarcode supports all common barcode types

The following comparison chart will help you to choose the right barcode symbology for your project. Many different barcodes types have been developed over the years. Each of these different barcode types has special characteristics. This comparison helps you to decide which barcode type will match your needs best.

ActiveBarcode calculates the check digit automatically.

Code 128 Modern 1D barcode type with high data density. Very wide distribution in all areas. Has 3 character sets that are switched automatically.
GS1-128, EAN-128 This special form of the Code 128 is used for goods and palettes in commerce and industry. More than one data field can be encoded using Application Identifiers.
EAN-13, GTIN-13 European Article Number for the labelling of products in the retail trade. The EAN code is mainly used in supermarkets to identify products at the point of sale.
QR Code, GS1 QR Code 2D barcode for encoding mass text or data in only one code. Often used for Mobile-Tagging with cell phones.
Data Matrix 2D barcode for encoding mass text or data in only one code.
GS1-Data Matrix This special form of the Data Matrix is used for goods and palettes in commerce and industry. More than one data field can be encoded using Application Identifiers.
EAN-8, GTIN-8 This is the short version of EAN-13 for extremly small products.
PDF417 2D barcode for encoding mass text or data in only one code.
ISBN-13 International Standard Book Number. ISBN standard type since 01. January 2007.
ISSN International Standard Serial Number. The ISSN serves the identification of sequentially appearing publications, e.g., magazines.
ISMN The ISMN (Internationally Standard Music Number) is used for marking printed musical publications.
EAN-14, GTIN-14 The EAN 14 code is used for traded goods.
DUN-14 Distribution Unit Number. Also have a look at EAN-14 and ITF-14.
ITF-14 The ITF-14 barcode is used to create the Shipping Container Symbol. This code is used to mark cartons and palettes that are including goods with an EAN-13 code.
SSCC-18 Serial Shipping Container Code. It is used throughout the supply chain as an identifier for item tracing and internal control.
UPC-E This is the short version of UPC-A for extremly small products.
Code 39 Also known as Code 3 of 9. Widely used in industry, commerce and government. Self-checking code.
Code 39 Extended Also known as Code 3 of 9 Extended. Extension of Code 39.
Code 25 Also known as Code 2 of 5 and Code 25 Industrial. Rather old code for industrial use.
Code 25 Interleaved Also known as Code 2 of 5 Interleaved. Industrial use.
JAN Japanese Article Numbering. It's primarily used in supermarkets to identify product at the point of sales.
EAN-2 AddOn code. For example for magazines.
EAN-99 EAN-99 is a special form of the EAN-13, which just starts with 99. EAN 99 is used as an in-store coupon.
EAN-Velocity EAN-Velocity is a special form of the EAN-8. This code is internally used by dealers for products that have no EAN-13 or EAN-8 code from the producer.
ISBN-13 Dual International Standard Book Number. ISBN transitional type from 01. January 2006 to 31. December 2006.
ISBN-10 International Standard Book Number. ISBN standard type until 31. December 2005.
Codabar Old barcode type. Often used in medicine in the past.
Code 93 Extended Same characterset as Code 39 Extended but more compacted code that requires less space.
PZN8 Pharmaceutical registration number for medicine. Special form of Code 39.
Leitcode The Leitcode is used by Deutschen Post/DHL.
Identcode The Identcode is used by Deutschen Post/DHL.
Code 128A Subcode of Code 128. This type is normally not used for itself. Use Code 128 or EAN 128 instead.
Code 128B Subcode of Code 128. This type is normally not used for itself. Use Code 128 or EAN 128 instead.
Code 128C Subcode of Code 128. This type is normally not used for itself. Use Code 128 or EAN 128 instead.
MSI Plessey Old code type. Was used for goods and books in the past.
PostNet This code us used to improve the speed of sorting and delivering of mail.
Royal Mail The Royal Mail 4 State Customer Code (RM4SCC) was created for automated mail sortation processes.

The following standards are specified for barcodes:

EN 797 - Symbol specification EAN/UPC (ISO 15420)
EN 798 - Symbol specification Codabar
EN 799 - Symbol specification Code 128
EN 800 - Symbol specification Code 39
EN 801 - Symbol specification Code 25 Interleaved