The ultimate guide to barcode standards
Barcodes are indispensable in modern inventory management. But which barcode standard suits your situation? In this comprehensive guide, we discuss all commonly used barcode types, their applications and how to make the right choice for your business.
Linear barcodes (1D)
Linear barcodes consist of a series of black and white bars of varying widths. They are the most recognizable type of barcode and have been in use for decades.
EAN-13 and EAN-8
The EAN barcode (European Article Number) is the most widely used barcode in the world for consumer products. EAN-13 contains 13 digits and is the standard on virtually all retail products. EAN-8 is the abbreviated version with 8 digits, intended for small products where a full EAN-13 does not fit. The first part of the EAN code identifies the country and company, followed by the item number and a check digit.
UPC-A
The Universal Product Code (UPC-A) is the North American equivalent of EAN-13 and contains 12 digits. UPC-A is primarily used in the United States and Canada. EAN-13 scanners can read UPC-A barcodes by adding a leading zero, making the two standards compatible.
Code 128
Code 128 is a versatile barcode that supports the full ASCII character set — not just numbers, but also letters and special characters. This makes Code 128 ideal for internal logistics, shipping labels and location codes. The barcode is compact and has a high information density, allowing a lot of data to fit in a small space.
Code 39
Code 39 is an older standard that supports letters, numbers and some special characters. Although less compact than Code 128, Code 39 is still popular due to its simplicity and broad support. It is widely used in the automotive industry, defence and government applications.
GS1 standards
GS1-128 (formerly EAN-128)
GS1-128 is a powerful barcode standard that uses the Code 128 format, but with standardized Application Identifiers (AIs). These AIs make it possible to encode additional information beyond the item number, such as:
- AI (01): GTIN (Global Trade Item Number / item number)
- AI (10): Batch number
- AI (17): Expiry date
- AI (21): Serial number
- AI (37): Quantity
GS1-128 is the standard for logistics and supply chain management. It enables businesses to capture all relevant product information with a single scan, from item number to expiry date.
GS1 DataMatrix
The GS1 DataMatrix is a two-dimensional (2D) barcode that uses the same Application Identifiers as GS1-128, but in a compact square format. The major advantage is that much more data fits in a smaller surface area. GS1 DataMatrix is increasingly used in the pharmaceutical industry, medical devices and for small products. The barcode is also resistant to damage thanks to built-in error correction.
2D barcodes
QR code
The QR code (Quick Response) is a two-dimensional barcode that has become enormously popular. QR codes can contain up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters and are readable from any angle. They are widely used for marketing, product information and tracking. In warehouse environments, QR codes are increasingly being used for location identification and quick access to product information.
DataMatrix
The standard DataMatrix barcode (without GS1 prefix) is a compact 2D format ideal for marking small parts. It is widely used in the electronics industry and for direct part marking (DPM), where the barcode is lasered or printed directly onto the product.
HIBC — Health Industry Barcode
HIBC is a barcode standard specifically developed for the healthcare sector. HIBC barcodes are used on medical devices, pharmaceutical products and laboratory items. The standard supports Unique Device Identification (UDI) and can contain information such as item number, batch number, expiry date and serial number. HIBC uses Code 128 or DataMatrix as a carrier. Read more about HIBC barcode support in the Barcode Scan App.
Which barcode should you choose?
The choice of barcode standard depends on several factors:
- Retail products: EAN-13 or UPC-A is mandatory for products sold in retail.
- Warehouse and logistics: Code 128 for location codes and internal labels. GS1-128 when you need batch and expiry date information.
- Medical and pharmaceutical: GS1 DataMatrix or HIBC for UDI compliance.
- Small products: DataMatrix or EAN-8 when space is limited.
- Internal processes: Code 128 or QR codes offer flexibility for custom applications.
Barcode standards in the Barcode Scan App
The Barcode Scan App for Exact Online supports all the barcode standards mentioned above. The app automatically recognizes the barcode type and processes the information correctly. For GS1 barcodes, batch, expiry date and serial number are automatically read and filled in. This not only saves time but also prevents errors from manually copying this data.
Whether you work with EAN barcodes on consumer products, GS1-128 in logistics or HIBC in healthcare — the Barcode Scan App processes them all seamlessly with Exact Online.