Retail, Inventory & Logistics
Barcode Types & Symbology Guide
From grocery shelves to shipping pallets: decode the numbers on UPC-A, EAN-13, ISBN book barcodes, Code 128, and 2D QR codes.
Select A Barcode Symbology:
1D Linear
UPC-A (Universal Product Code)
Capacity: 12 Digits
Common Industry Use:
Retail grocery & consumer goods checkout across the United States & Canada.
Data Structure:
1 digit prefix category + 5 digits manufacturer ID + 5 digits item number + 1 check digit.
1D Linear Barcodes vs 2D Matrix Codes
1D Barcodes (UPC, EAN, Code 128)
Horizontal black-and-white stripes read in a single linear laser sweep. Can only store 12 to 25 characters (typically a database lookup key).
2D Matrix Codes (QR, Data Matrix)
Square grids encoding data across both horizontal and vertical axes. Can store full URLs, encrypted patient IDs, and thousands of characters with error correction even if 30% damaged.