Barcode Types (EAN, CODE 39, ITF, CODABAR, CODE 128)

About 100 types of barcodes are available in the world. The following is an introduction to 5 types of typical barcodes.

Name EAN, UPC ITF CODE39 CODABAR CODE128
Symbol
 EAN,UPC ITF CODE39 CODABAR CODE128
Character type
  • Numeric values (0 to 9) only
  • Numeric values (0 to 9) only
  • Numeric values (0 to 9)
  • Alphabet
  • Symbol (-,.,space,$,/,+,%)
  • Start/stop character
    (*:asterisk)
  • Numeric values (0 to 9)
  • Symbol (-,$,/,.,+)
  • Start/stop character (a to d)
  • All ASCII codes
    Numeric values (0 to 9)
    Alphabet
    upper case/lower case
    Symbol
    Control character
    (［CR］［STX］etc.)
Features
  • Standardized as the distribution code.
  • Allows a barcode size smaller than other barcode types with the same digits.
  • Availability of alphabet and symbol allows indication of article numbers.
  • Possible to indicate some alphabets and symbols.
  • Supports all types of characters.
  • Allows the minimum size of barcode for indication with the numeric values only. (more than 12 digits)
Printable
digits		 13 digits or 8 digits Even digits only Any digits Any digits Any digits
Bar structure
  • Four bar sizes
  • No start/stop character
  • Indicates one character with two bars and two spaces.
  • Two bar sizes
  • No start/stop character
  • Indicates one character with five bars (or five spaces) .
  • Two bar sizes
  • Uses asterisk * for start/stop character.
  • Indicates one character with five bars and four spaces.
  • Two bar sizes
  • Uses a to d for start/stop character.
  • Indicates one character with four bars and three spaces.
  • Four bar sizes
  • Three types of start/stop characters. Each type supports its own character type.
  • Indicates one character with three bars and three spaces.
Application performance
  • World universal code
  • Marked on most daily goods
  • Book industry
  • Standardized as the distribution code.
  • Widely used as the industrial barcode.
  • Automobile Industry Action Group (AIAG)
  • Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA)
  • Blood bank
  • Slip of door-to-door delivery service (Japan)
  • Starts to be used as GS1-128 in each industry.
  • Distribution business industry
  • Food industry
  • Medical industry
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