5 Common Type of Barcodes [A Definite Guide 2022]

Since the creation of the basic linear barcode more than 70 years ago, a lot has happened. 

Nowadays, there are many various type of barcodes and practically infinite uses for them. 

It's also something that many of us have probably not given much thought to. That is why we've created this post. 

To learn about all the different barcode formats, don't miss out on any parts of this article!

A complete guide on barcode types

What Is A Barcode Called?

A barcode, at its most basic level, is a rectangle or square with a pattern of vertical black lines with variable widths and heights, white space, and numbers.

Each number on a barcode is unique and has a specific meaning. 

These numbers are frequently combined, multiplied, and divided using a formula to give them each their own unique identity.

By performing a barcode lookup, you’ll get the information you need about the product.

To figure out the meaning of these numbers, keep reading…

An example of a barcode

Besides, a machine-readable form of information on a scannable, visible surface is what a barcode technically refers to.

They are also frequently called UPC codes.

Computers connected to scanners may read these codes and obtain the relevant product information using the precise placement of the bars, spaces, and digits.

The data is then sent into a database so that it may be recorded and tracked.

Barcodes are now present on various goods, including hospital bands, checked bags, rental cars, and clothing purchased from supermarkets or retail stores. 

They each distinguish a thing or a person and encode significant information.

The Invention of A Barcode

To help make product information during checkout procedures much simpler, Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver invented the barcode in 1948.

The pair's first prototype, which used ultraviolet ink, didn't work out as they had anticipated.

Though their first attempt wasn't totally successful, both kept going.

Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver

They modified a version that used dots and dashes and was based on the Morse code.

An incandescent light bulb would illuminate the barcode pattern, pass through the paper, and then shine light onto a very sensitive light detector to read it.

The barcode's white portions would be visible and detectable because the black lines on the barcode absorb light.

How Do Barcodes Work?

Scanners are used to read one-dimensional barcodes in the modern world. 

The barcode is picked up by the scanner after being run across it. It does this by analyzing the bars and spaces in between the bars.

The numbers on a UPC label are only for human use.

A barcode is read using a scanner

The scanner first detects the bars and then sends the data to a computer (or register).

After that, the computer locates the document linked to that barcode.

The computer records may include details about the cost, the number of goods on offer, and other important facts like special offers or discounts.

What Are The Components of A Barcode?

A barcode includes 3 main components. They are quite zone, start character, and check digit.

Let’s discover what they are!

• Quiet Zone

A barcode's quiet zone is a blank margin found at each end. 

Barcodes must be separated by a minimum of 2.5 mm, measured from the outermost bar of one barcode to the outermost bar of another. 

Barcodes are challenging for a scanner to read if a quiet zone is too narrow.

• Start Character and Stop Character

The data's beginning and end are represented by the characters known as the Start Character and the Stop Character, respectively. 

The characters vary based on the type of barcode.

• Check Digit

The check digit is a digit used to verify the accuracy of the encoded barcode data.

The barcode’s components

What Do The Numbers on A Barcode Mean?

Since there are a lot of barcode types available, which come with different number meanings.

However, a twelve-digit number is typically printed underneath the barcode as a backup in case of issues. 

What the numbers indicate is as follows:

What Are the Most Common Types of Barcodes?

There could be hundreds of distinct barcode configurations because there are so many scanners and barcode printers on the market. 

These barcodes can be altered to fit certain requirements and procedures that are utilized by numerous global sectors.

The 5 most popular type of barcodes is listed below, along with essential information.

Common barcode types

Universal Product Codes (UPC)

Because of the widespread use of UPC codes in retail environments, it is among the most widely used barcode symbologies and conceivably the most recognizable barcode type among consumers.

These barcodes, which are now present on almost all retail goods, were initially developed for grocery stores to facilitate speedy receipt printing and inventory tracking. 

A manufacturer will receive a special company number to pair with each of their specific product numbers after obtaining a UPC number.

UPC barcode

12-digit UPC codes (UPC-A) include basic data about the identity of the producer and the product identification number.

The position of each digit exposes the kind of information to which those digits relate. 

Importantly, there are other simpler UPC-E variants with just 6 digits.

International Article Number (EAN)

EAN codes, which are made for Point-of-Sale (POS) scanning and are used to distinguish consumer goods globally, function similarly to UPC codes.

They are used specifically by bookshops, universities, libraries, and wholesalers for book traceability since they are regarded as a superset of the UPC.

International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs), which are used to track individual books, are converted into these 13-digit identifiers.

EAN barcode

Further, it's interesting to note that while many retail establishments scan UPC codes for products, scanners usually convert UPC codes to the 13-digit EAN format.

The EAN barcode is available in a number of versions, including EAN-8, EAN-13, JAN-13, ISBN, and ISSN.

Code 39

Code 39 is one of the earliest types of barcode and is a typical symbology used in healthcare, electronics, and government.

It is a lineal, 1D, alphanumeric code that can be any length and can contain all 128 ASCII characters; the only length restriction is the label's size.

Notably, the U.S. Department of Defense has made Code 39 a military standard because it allows for the depiction of alphabetical characters.

The Code 39 barcode is also the simplest alpha-numeric barcode to use since it is built with character self-checking, which does not require check character computations. 

Code 39 barcode

Other names for Code 39 include the 3 of 9 Barcode, Code 3 of 9, and Barcode 39. 

In addition, there are a number of standards that specify how Code 39 barcodes should be printed for specific applications.

Code 128

Due to its higher density and wider character set than Code 39, Code 128 is typically chosen in modern applications.

According to MakeBarcode.com, the Code 128 character set consists of the numbers 0 to 9, the letters A to Z (in upper and lower case), as well as all common ASCII symbols and control codes.

The codes are separated into three subsets, A, B, and C. 

A specific start code identifies which subset will be used, and there are control characters for changing to a different subset in the middle of a barcode.

Code 128 barcode

Around the world, applications for this kind of barcode are widely employed in shipping and packaging. 

Users can optimize Code 128 for barcode length thanks to its automatic switching configuration.

Interleaved 2 of 5

Code interleaved 2 of 5 is a numeric-only barcode that is frequently used in distribution, manufacturing, and warehouse to encrypt pairs of numbers.

It allows for high-density printing and is specifically used for small labels applied to noble metals and small goods.

Interleaved 2 of 5 barcode

The Interleaved 2 of 5 barcode encrypts data using both the bar and space width and pairs of every two digits to produce a single symbol.

Spaces are used to encode characters in odd places, while bars are used to encode characters in even positions. 

Any even number of numeric characters can be encoded using interleaved 2 of 5 codes.

So we’ve gone through some brief information on the most commonly used barcode types. 

Look at this table for an overall understanding of them!

Why Are Barcodes Used?

Now you know the definition of barcodes, type of barcodes, how they work, etc. But do you wonder why people use them?

Simply said, barcodes are another method of product labeling. The majority of firms now place barcodes on their products in place of price stickers.

Although barcodes were first created to improve the sales and transaction process, they also provide a number of other advantages.

Understand their benefits, you can determine where are QR codes used properly as well as which barcode like static versus dynamic QR code should be applied in your field.

Benefits of using barcodes

• Greater accuracy

When processing a product's data, a barcode is significantly more precise than a sales associate manually entering that data, which is prone to error.

• Reduced demand for training

Employees don't require much training to utilize a barcode scanner because it is so simple to use (simply point and click).

• Real-time data

The speed at which the information is processed allows for the instant availability of information on inventory levels and sales.

• Improved inventory control

Retailers advantage from quicker cycle counts and more precise inventory turnover estimates thanks to greater accuracy and real-time data.

Barcodes provide better inventory management

• Low installation cost

Barcode generation is rapid and easy, and because transactions are completed more quickly and accurately due to increased inventory and sales data, retailers may estimate savings after deployment.

• Flexibility

Barcodes allow you to modify pricing whenever you want without having to re-price all of your bottles and boxes. 

When some items' supply levels are getting low, you can place an order immediately as well.

Barcoding systems for companies

Barcodes are one of the few technologies that have become so widely used over the past 50 years, and for good reason.

They constitute a significant portion of potential revenue and expenses for many businesses and are a straightforward, efficient, and incredibly dependable method of tracking inventory.

Barcodes should be used and scanned consistently by new firms as well as those that haven't used them before. 

Just determine which kind of barcodes best suit your demands. Then, you can use your own barcodes using a barcode generator.

Barcodes are crucial to businesses

Through better inventory control, accuracy, and access to real-time data, it's a cheap investment that yields a quick return.

Indeed, barcodes are crucial in supplying businesses with the visibility they require to manage costs and deliver a superior customer experience.