Barcodes Explained: Which Type Do You Need?

Why So Many Barcode Types?

Different industries have different needs. A retail product needs a universal code that works everywhere, while an internal warehouse might use custom codes for efficiency.

Common Barcode Types

• UPC-A (12 digits): Standard for North American retail products.
• EAN-13 (13 digits): International retail standard, compatible with UPC.
• Code 128: Alphanumeric, used in shipping and logistics.
• Code 39: Letters and numbers, common in automotive and defense.
• QR Code: 2D code storing URLs, text, or data up to 4,296 characters.

1D vs 2D Barcodes

1D (Linear): Traditional "lines" barcodes. Store limited data (typically 20-25 characters).

2D (Matrix): QR codes, Data Matrix. Store much more data and can be read even when partially damaged.

Choosing the Right Type

1. Retail products: UPC-A (US) or EAN-13 (international)
2. Shipping labels: Code 128
3. Marketing/URLs: QR Code
4. Internal tracking: Code 39 or Code 128

Generate any barcode type with our Barcode Generator.