Barcode Handbook: Barcode Type Selection Guide

Barcode Handbook
Barcode Type Selection Guide
CONTENTS
1
C h a p te r Basics of Bar Code
C h a p te r 2
EAN
C h a p te r 3
ITF and Standard Distribution Code
C h a p te r 4
CODE 39 and Codabar
C h a p te r 5
CODE 128 and GS1-128
Appendix 1 Bar Code Length List
Appendix 2 Check Digit Calculation

INDEX
Chapter 1 Basics of Bar Code Chapter 4 CODE 39 and Codabar
1-1 Basics of Bar Code 4 4-1 CODE 39 34
1-1-1 Structure of Bar Code 4 4-1-1 CODE 39 Composition 34
1-1-2 Narrow Bar and Wide Bar 5 4-1-2 CODE 39 Character Composition 34
1 1-1-3 Binary Level and Multiple Level
1-1-4 What Is Check Digit?
6
7
4-1-3 CODE 39 Features
4-1-4 CODE 39 Applications
35
35
1-2 Bar Code Types 8 4-2 Codabar 37
4-2-1 Codabar Composition 37
4-2-2 Codabar Character Composition 37
Chapter 2 EAN
4-2-3 Codabar Features 38
2-1 EAN Code and POS System 10
4-2-4 Codabar Applications 38
2-1-1 EAN Code 10
2-1-2 POS System 10
2 2-2 EAN Data Composition

2-2-1 Data Composition
12
12
Chapter 5 CODE 128 and GS1-128
5-1 CODE 128 40
2-2-2 Source Marking and In-store Marking 15 5-1-1 CODE 128 Composition 40
2-2-3 Standard Size and Magnification 16 5-1-2 CODE 128 Features 41
2-3 Applications in Other Industries 17 5-1-3 CODE 128 Applications 41
2-3-1 EAN Code of Books 17 5-1-4 CODE 128 Character Composition 42
2-4 EAN Composition 18 5-2 GS1-128 43
2-4-1 EAN Composition (Details) 18 5-2-1 What Is GS1-128? 43
2-4-2 EAN Character Composition 18 5-2-2 Background of GS1-128 Establishment 44
3 2-4-3 Features of EAN Bar Composition

2-5 UPC
19
20
5-2-3 GS1-128 Composition
5-2-4 Application Identifier
44
46
2-5-1 What Is UPC? 20 5-2-5 GS1-128 Applications 50
2-5-2 Number System Character and
Data Composition of UPC-A 20
2-5-3 Future of UPC Code 21
CODE 39 54
Codabar 55
Chapter 3 ITF and Standard Distribution Code ITF 56
3-1 ITF 24 CODE 128 (CODE-A, B) 57
4 3-1-1 ITF Composition

3-1-2 ITF Character Composition
24
25
CODE 128 (CODE-C) 58
3-1-3 ITF Features 25

3-1-4 ITF Applications 26
Modulus 43 (CODE 39) 59
3-1-5 Disadvantages of ITF 26
Modulus 10/weight 3 (EAN, ITF, Codabar) 60
3-1-6 Other “2 of 5” Codes 27
Modulus 16 (Codabar) 61
3-2 Standard Distribution Code 28
3-2-1 What Is Standard Distribution Code? 28
Modulus 10/weight 2 (Codabar) 63
3-2-2 Just-in-time Needs 28
5
7 check DR (Codabar) 64
3-2-3 Creation of Standard Distribution Code 29
Weighted Modulus 11 (Codabar) 65
3-2-4 Composition of Standard Distribution Code 29
Runes (Modulus 10/weight 2) (Codabar) 67
3-2-5 Assigning Distribution Identification Code 30
3-2-6 Standard Size of Standard Distribution Code 31
3-2-7 Why Is ITF Used? 32
3-2-8 What Is Add-on Version? 32
3-2-9 Bearer Bar 32
Chapter 1
Basics of Bar Code
1-1 Basics of Bar Code 4
1-1-1 Structure of Bar Code 4
1-1-2 Narrow Bar and Wide Bar 5
1-1-3 Binary Level and Multiple Level 6
1-1-4 What Is Check Digit? 7
1-2 Bar Code Types 8
Chapter 1 Basics of Bar Code
1-1 Basics of Bar Code

1-1-1 Structure of Bar Code
The following explains a bar code format.
1 Bar code length
Quiet Quiet
zone Bar code symbol zone
Bar code height
a 0 1 2 3 a
Start character Data (message) Check digit Stop character
Quiet zone (margin)

The right and left ends of the bar code symbol. If the margin is not wide enough, the bar code reader cannot scan
the bar code data.
Both the right and left margins should be at least 10 times as wide as the narrow width (minimum element width).
(See page 5 for narrow bar width.)
One Point
Unless the quiet zones are wide enough, it becomes unstable for the bar code reader to
scan the bar code data.
Start/stop character
Character to indicate start or end of the data.
Start/stop character varies depending on the type of the bar code. CODE 39 uses “*” and CODABAR uses “a”, “b”, “c”
and “d”. (EAN and ITF use, instead of character, a bar pattern which indicates the start/end of the data.)
Data (message)
Bar patterns of character (numeral, alphabet, etc.) representing the data are arranged from left.
The drawing above shows that the data of “012” is demonstrated, with the bar patterns representing 0, 1, and 2 being
arranged respectively from the left.
Check digit
A numeric value calculated to check for read error. It is appended directly after the bar code data. (See page 7 for
details.)
Bar code length

Bar code length defines the length including the right and left quiet zones. Unless bar code including quiet zones fits in
the scan width, the bar code reader cannot scan the data.
Bar code height

It is recommended to make the bar code as high as the printer permits. If the bar code is not high enough, the laser
may deviate from the bar code, causing unstable readings. The height is recommended to keep more than 15% of the
bar code length.
4
1-1-2 Narrow Bar and Wide Bar

The following explains bars and spaces that are the minimum unit to form a bar code.
A bar code is a combination of narrow and wide bars and spaces. Each bar and space are named as listed below:
NB
1
WB
NB : Narrow bar
WB : Wide bar
NS : Narrow space
WS : Wide space
WS
NS
Narrow and wide widths are determined at the following ratio:
NB : WB = NS : WS = 1 : 2 to 1 : 3
One Point
If the ratio of narrow and wide is out of the range above, the bar code reader may perform
unstable readings.
For preparing a bar code, careful attention shall be made to this ratio. The following ratio is
normally recommended for preparing a bar code.
NB : WB = NS : WS = 1 : 2.5 (Recommended ratio)
The width of a narrow bar is a key for selecting a bar code reader.
Narrow bar width is also named “minimum element width”.
One Point
• If the narrow width is small:
• The size of a bar code becomes small.
• A bar code with many digits can be printed in a given space.
• The readable range (reading depth) for a bar code is narrowed.
• High performance is required for the printer to print a bar code.
(laser printer, thermal transfer printer)
• If the narrow width is large:

• The size of a bar code becomes large.
• The readable range (reading depth) for a bar code is widened.
• Low performance is allowed for the printer to print a bar code.
(dot printer, ink jet printer for FA)
5
1-1-3 Binary Level and Multiple Level

Binary Level and Multiple Level
Bar codes in the categories of CODE 39, CODABAR and ITF consist of bars and spaces that have two steps of narrow
1 and wide widths. It is named the “binary level” bar code.

The ratio between narrow and wide is 1 : 2 to 1 : 3. Some allowance is possible.
Narrow bar
Wide bar
Narrow space
Wide space
Bar codes in the categories of EAN and CODE 128 consist of bars and spaces that have four steps of narrow and wide
widths. It is named the “multiple level” bar code.
The ratio is 1 : 2 : 3 : 4. Allowance is very limited.
One Point
“Multiple level” EAN and CODE 128 have four steps of bar width. If the print quality is not
good enough to identify the bar width, reading error tends to occur.
The printers with poor print quality including dot impact printer are not suitable for EAN and
CODE 128.
6
1-1-4 What Is Check Digit?

A check digit is a numeric value calculated to check for read error.
The following explains the check flow and calculation method.
1
Reading bar code • Bar code is read.
1 2 3 6
Bar code with data “123”

and check digit “6”.
• Check digit is calculated from the data.
Calculating check digit
1 2 3 6
Comparing the check • The calculated check digit is compared with

Match digit data that appended to the read bar code.
Correct reading
1 2 3 6
Compare • If they do not match, a read error occurs.
Read error
Mismatch 6
One Point
Calculating the check digit
The following explains how to calculate the check digit, taking Modulus 10/3 Weight as an example,
which is applied for EAN and ITF.
1 Number the code value sequentially starting from the right.
2 Multiply each odd numbered value by 3 and each even numbered value by 1.
3 Total the multiplied values and then subtract the last digit value of the total value from 10 to get
the check digit.
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
4 9 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
× × × × × × × × × × × ×
1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3
= = = = = = = = = = = =
4 + 27 + 7 + 3 + 2 + 9 + 4 + 15 + 6 + 21 + 8 + 27
=133
10 - 3 (the last digit value of 133) = 7
Thus, the check digit is calculated to be 7.
7
1-2 Bar Code Types (EAN, CODE 39, ITF, CODABAR, CODE 128)
About 100 types of bar code are available in the world. The followings are typical bar codes:
Name EAN, UPC ITF CODE 39 CODABAR CODE 128
Symbol
•N
umeric values •N
umeric values • Numeric values (0 to 9) • Numeric values (0 to 9) • All ASCII codes
(0 to 9) only (0 to 9) only • Alphabet • Symbol (-, $, /, +) • Numeric values
• Symbol (-, ., space, $, /, • S
tart/stop character (0 to 9)
Character +, %) (a to d) • Alphabet, upper
type • Start/stop character case/lower case
(*: asterisk) • Symbol
• Control character
([CR], [STX], etc.)
• Standardized as the • Allows a bar code size • Availability of alphabet • Possible to indicate • Supports all types of
distribution code. smaller than other bar and symbol allows some alphabets and characters.
code types with the indication of article symbols. • Allows the minimum
Features same digits. numbers. size of bar code for
indication with the
numeric values only.
(more than 12 digits)
Printable 13 digits or 8 digits Even digits only Any digits Any digits Any digits
digits
• Four bar sizes • Two bar sizes • Two bar sizes • Two bar sizes • Four bar sizes
• No start/stop character • No start/stop character • Uses asterisk * for start/ • Uses a to d for start/ •T hree types of start/
• Indicates one character • Indicates one character stop character. stop character. stop characters. Each
Bar with two bars and two with five bars (or five • Indicates one character • Indicates one character type supports its own
structure spaces. spaces). with five bars and four with four bars and three character type.
spaces. spaces. • Indicates one character
with three bars and
three spaces.
• World universal code • Standardized as the • Widely used as the • Blood bank • Starts to be used as
• Marked on most daily distribution code. industrial bar code. • Slip of door-to-door GS1-128 in each
goods • Automobile Industry delivery service (Japan) industry.
Application Action Group (AIAG) • Distribution business
performance • Book industry • Electronic Industries industry
Alliance (EIA) • Food industry
• Medical industry
8
Chapter 2
EAN
2-1 EAN Code and POS System 10
2-1-1 EAN Code 10
2-1-2 POS System 10
2-2 EAN Data Composition 12
2-2-1 Data Composition 12
2-2-2 Source Marking and In-store Marking 15
2-2-3 Standard Size and Magnification 16
2-3 Applications in Other Industries 17
2-3-1 EAN Code of Books 17
2-4 EAN Composition 18
2-4-1 EAN Composition (Details) 18
2-4-2 EAN Character Composition 18
2-4-3 Features of EAN Bar Composition 19
2-5 UPC 20
2-5-1 What Is UPC? 20
2-5-2 Number System Character and
Data Composition of UPC-A 20
2-5-3 Future of UPC Code 21
Chapter 2 EAN
2-1 EAN Code and POS System

2-1-1 EAN Code
EAN is the standardized bar code and marked on most commercialized products currently available at the stores.
The EAN is used in POS system that is widespread through the convenience stores.
As EAN is compatible with UPC of U.S.A. and Canada and JAN of Japan, it is a universal code throughout the world.
* EAN=European Article Number

UPC=Universal Product Code
JAN=Japan Article Number
2
Emollient
shampoo
This is Japanese OO Company’s Emollient shampoo.

This is the unique code throughout the world.
2-1-2 POS System

This is a system used to manage sale, stock and purchase of commercial products by reading the EAN code of the
products to be bought at supermarkets and convenience stores. As this system also provides accurate data of
consumer trend, it contributes to deciding management strategies.
1)
Sales
This item is 280YEN for sale. management
2)
Stock and
Only 10 pieces are left in stock. purchase
Try to purchase 50 pieces. management
3)
Good sales have been enjoyed Understanding

with this item. It’s a hot item. consumer trend
10
Chapter 2 EAN
1) Sales management
Use of a bar code allows everybody to work on a cash register without any difficulty. The system supports
the workers who are not skillful with cash register operation, so that the customers may not be forced to wait
for a long time.
Counting the daily sales amount can be done instantly.
2) Stock and purchase management

As the system provides information on real time base on;
Who bought the product?,
What time the product was bought? and
Which product was bought?,
it is now possible to purchase the required product at the required time. 2
Since it is difficult for stores with limited spaces such as convenience stores to keep enough stock, it is very
important for them to purchase the salable products in salable quantities. For the foods with consumption
validity like box lunch, it is not allowed to display them for a long period of time. The system allows the
arrangement to purchase at the required time in the required quantities.
3) Understanding consumer trend

Any information can be collected on real time base on;
What is the most salable product?
What customers are to be targeted?
What is the least salable product on the other hand?
What campaign brought the successful sale?
The information is very useful for deciding management strategies.
11
Chapter 2 EAN
2-2 EAN Data Composition

2-2-1 Data Composition
EAN has the following data composition.
2 Country
code
Manufacturer
code
Product
item code
Check digit
[2 digits] [5 digits] [5 digits]
Standard type [13 digits]
Country code
Represents the country name. (See the table in page 14)
Manufacturer code
Represents the original seller’s name.
Manufacturer code shall be applied for registration at the code center of each country in order to obtain it.
EAN code can be used only after the manufacturer code is obtained.
Product item code

Identify the product. The manufacturer who obtained the product item code can make its own setting. The different
product of the same manufacturer has the different product item code.
Bar code for Kokuyo’s staple Bar code for Kokuyo’s B5 notebook
Manufacturer code
Product item code
12
Chapter 2 EAN
TOPIC EAN manufacturer code will be changed to 7 digits.

Manufacturer code will be changed to 7 digits (9 digits including country code) applicable for new registration from
January, 2001 onwards, in order to meet the increasing applications for manufacturer code.
One Point For the companies who already obtained the manufacturer code with 5 digits, the conventional
manufacturer code with 5 digits can be used as they are, and no change of the coding system is
required.
The number of total digits (13 digits) remains unchanged.
The following shows the composition of the total digits: 2
Country Manufacturer Product Check digit

code code (7 digits) item code (1 digits)
(2 digits) (3 digits)
The manufacturer codes with 5 digits and 7 digits will be used in parallel from January, 2001 onwards.
However, the following numbers will be assigned, so that the EAN code with the same number will never appear. (Table
below is applicable only in Japan.)
4900000 to 4999999
Manufacturer code with 5 digits
4500000 to 4599999
Manufacturer code with 7 digits 456000000 to 459999999
As can be seen above, the first three digits make it possible to find whether the manufacturer code has 5 digits or 7
digits.
13
Chapter 2 EAN
Country code list

The number of member countries is 94 (92 code centers). (Note 1)
Country code Country name Country code
0 to 9 U.S.A., Canada (Note 2) 690 to 693
20 to 29 In-store marking for retailers (Note 3) 70
30 to 37 France 729
380 Bulgaria 73
383 Slovenia 740
385 Croatia 741
387 Bosnia and Herzegovina 742
400 to 440 Germany 743
45 + 49 Japan 744
460 to 469 Russia and others 745
471 Taiwan 746
474 Estonia 750
475 Latvia 759
2 476
477
Azerbaijan (Note 4)
Lithuania
76
770
478 Uzbekistan 773
479 Sri Lanka 775
480 Philippine 777
481 Belarus 779
482 Ukraine 780
484 Moldova 784
485 Armenia 786
486 Georgia 789
487 Kazakhstan 80 to 83
489 Hong Kong 84
50 U.K. 850
520 Greece 858
528 Lebanon 859
529 Cyprus 860
531 Macedonia 867
535 Malta 869
539 Ireland 87
54 Belgium, Luxembourg 880
560 Portuguese 885
569 Iceland 888
57 Denmark 890
590 Poland 893
594 Romania 899
599 Hungary 90 to 91
600 to 601 The Republic of South Africa 93
609 Mauritius 94
611 Morocco 955
613 Algeria 977
619 Tunisia 978 to 979
621 Syria 980
622 Egypt 981 to 982
625 Jordan 99
626 Iran N/A (Note 5)
628 Saudi Arabia (Note 4)
64 Finland
(Note 1) EAN member countries do not include U.S.A. and Canada. The country code of U.S.A. and Canada will be changed from 00 to 13 in 2005.
(Note 2) U
PC, unified product code of U.S.A. and Canada, is established in 1973. Other 94 countries (92 organizations) are the member countries of International EAN
Association. The country code of U.S.A. and Canada will be changed from 00 to 13 in 2005.
(Note 3) The code center of each country defines its own usage. Used mainly for in-store marking of retailers.
(Note 4) New member country in 1999
(Note 5) New member country in 1999 (country code to be determined)
14
Chapter 2 EAN
2-2-2 Source Marking and In-store Marking

1) Source marking
Source marking means that manufacturers or sellers print EAN codes on the product packages or containers during
the production or packaging process. Most foods and daily necessities in supermarkets have source-marked EAN
codes. As mentioned earlier, product item code registration is required to put source marking on the product.
2
The source-marked bar code has
“49” or “45”.
B5 notebook MADE IN JAPAN
2) In-store marking
Fresh foods (vegetables, meats, etc.) carry the labels where marking is arranged specifically by the individual
supermarket, because the price depends on the weight of the individual product. This operation is called in-store
marking, as it is available only in the store.
Since goods carrying in-store marking (e.g. vegetables) are sold only at that store, no manufacturer code is required
and thus, any data composition is for the store’s disposal. The price can also be included in the bar code. For the
first two digits corresponding to EAN country code, however, it is ruled to use 20 to 29 to avoid any confusion.
Sliced pork
Processed Open
date date
99.12.29 99.12.31
The bar code with in-store

marking accepts the number of
350Yen
20 to 29. Price can also be
included in the bar code.
DCC Supermarket
15
Chapter 2 EAN
2-2-3 Standard Size and Magnification

EAN defines specification for bar code size as below.
· The narrow bar width of the standard bar code is 0.33 mm 0.013".
· The standard bar code can be enlarged or reduced within the range of magnification ratio from 0.8 to 2.0.
(The range for narrow bar width is from 0.26 to 0.66 mm 0.010" to 0.026".)
The following table shows the size of the bar code for each magnification.
(For standard type [13 digits] bar code)
Magnification 0.8 1.0 1.2 2.0
Narrow bar width 0.264 mm 0.010" 0.33 mm 0.013" 0.396 mm 0.016" 0.66 mm 0.026"
2 Bar code length 29.83 mm 1.17" 37.29 mm 1.47" 44.75 mm 1.76" 74.58 mm 2.94"
Bar code height 18.29 mm 0.72" 22.86 mm 0.90" 27.43 mm 1.08" 45.72 mm 1.80"
Bar code length
Bar code height
16
Chapter 2 EAN
2-3 Applications in Other Industries

Source-marked bar codes for books and magazines adopt EAN bar code system, but have own data
composition to meet the individual industry requirement. Information including prices is included in the bar
code.
2-3-1 EAN Code of Books

Books have ISBN (International Standard Book Number) to classify each book.
ISBN 4 - 12345 - 123 - 3

Country Publisher Book Check
code code code digit
Bar cord is formed with the classification code (classified by subject for sale, publishing source, content) and the price
code (without tax) being combined with ISBN.
2
ISBN
A flag (978) to
identify ISBN
A flag (192) to identify Classification Price

the classification code code code
and the price code ISBN 4 - 12345 - 123 - 3 ISBN

C1011 ¥1200E
Classification Price
code code
17
Chapter 2 EAN
2-4 EAN Composition

2-4-1 EAN Composition (Details)
EAN codes include the following components:
Right guard bar
Right guard bar

Left guard bar
Left guard bar

Check digit
Check digit
Center bar
Center bar
Left Right Left Right
character data character data character data character data
(6 digits) (5 digits) (4 digits) (3 digits)
Standard type Short type
• EAN does not use start/stop character, while it has a left guard bar on the left, a right guard bar on the right, and a
center bar in the center of the bar code.
• Other numbers are arranged in order.
As can be seen from the arrangement of the bar code above, the standard type has only 12 digits including the check
digit. However, it actually represents 13 digits of data. For this, see page 16.
2-4-2 EAN Character Composition

EAN is composed of the following characters. At the right and left sides of the center bar, different bar patterns are used
to represent numbers.
The bar patters on the left side of the center bar have “odd parity” and “even parity”.
Left odd parity Left even parity Right even parity

Character
Bar pattern Bar pattern Bar pattern
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Left guard bar
Center bar
Right guard bar
18
Chapter 2 EAN
For the leftmost character (the first digit) in the standard type, it is determined by any combination of the odd and even
parities of the 6 characters on the left side of the center bar.
The combination is as follows:
O : Odd parity
E : Even parity
First character Combination of O and E First character Combination of O and E
0 OOOOOO 5 OEEOOE
1 OOEOEE 6 OEEEOO
2 OOEEOE 7 OEOEOE
3 OOEEEO 8 OEOEEO 2
4 OEOOEE 9 OEEOEO
In the short type (8 digits), all characters (4 digits) on the left side of the center bar are represented by odd parities.
2-4-3 Features of EAN Bar Composition

The EAN bar code composition has the following features:
• The EAN code uses 4 different bar widths, and high print quality is required. If the printers with low print quality, such
as ink jet printers for FA and dot impact printers, are used, the bar code reader cannot perform stable reading.
• The number of digits is fixed and users are not allowed to make their own data composition at their option.
19
Chapter 2 EAN
2-5 UPC
2-5-1 What Is UPC?
UPC is a unified product code used in U.S.A. and Canada. EAN of Europe and JAN of Japan are based on UPC.
UPC uses mainly UPC-A and UPC-E. UPC-A has 12 digits, while UPC-E has 8 digits.
UPC - A UPC - E
One Point
For the goods exported to U.S.A. and Canada, it is necessary to obtain the UPC manufacturer code
and to implement the source marking of UPC, because there are many
2-5-2 Number System Character and Data Composition of UPC-A

UPC-A is used only in U.S.A. and Canada, and it has no country code. Instead, the first digit, called number system
character (NS), defines the contents of information.
The following is a summary of the typical data composition according to NS values:
20
Chapter 2 EAN
NS Applications Data composition
(Until March 19, 2000)
0,6,7 0 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4 0
NS Manufacturer code Product item code C/D
For source marking
(same system as for EAN) (From March 20, 2000 onwards)
1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 1 2 1
1,8,9
NS Manufacturer code Product C/D
item code
2
For in-store marking
2 0 1 2 3 4 8 1 2 3 4 0 2
(weighing commodities) NS Product item code Price Price C/D
C/D
5 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 0 1 7
5 For coupons
NS Manufacturer code Family Coupon C/D
code price
C/D = Check digit
One Point
The manufacturer codes applied after March 20, 2000 are changed to 7 digits, the same as for EAN.
2-5-3 Future of UPC Code

UPC code is planned to fit in EAN code system in the year of 2005. This makes EAN international standards and allows
EAN code to be read in U.S.A. and Canada.
21
Chapter 2 EAN
MEMO
22
Chapter 3
ITF and
Standard Distribution Code
3-1 ITF 24
3-1-1 ITF Composition 24
3-1-2 ITF Character Composition 25
3-1-3 ITF Features 25
3-1-4 ITF Applications 26
3-1-5 Disadvantages of ITF 26
3-1-6 Other “2 of 5” Codes 27
3-2 Standard Distribution Code 28
3-2-1 What Is Standard Distribution Code? 28
3-2-2 Just-in-time Needs 28
3-2-3 Creation of Standard Distribution Code 29
3-2-4 Composition of
Standard Distribution Code 29
3-2-5 Assigning Distribution Identification Code 30
3-2-6 Standard Size of
Standard Distribution Code 31
3-2-7 Why Is ITF Used? 32
3-2-8 What Is Add-on Version? 32
3-2-9 Bearer Bar 32
Chapter 3 ITF and Standard Distribution Code
3-1 ITF
ITF is the abbreviation for “Interleaved Two of Five”. It is widely used as the standard distribution
code printed on corrugated cardboard boxes.
There are several types called “2 of 5” as shown below. All of them represent one character using
the same composition consisting of 2 wide bars (spaces) out of 5 bars (spaces). Although their
composition is similar, the code is completely different.
One Point Variations of “2 of 5”

• Interleaved “2 of 5” (ITF) ............. The details are explained in this chapter.
• Industrial “2 of 5” ......................... In the past, this code was used in industrial applications. Since
this code assigns information only to bars, not to spaces, the
code size increases. It is not currently used in many areas, except
for distribution management.
• Matrix “2 of 5” .............................. This code is different from the industrial “2 of 5”, because both
bars and spaces have information.
• COOP “2 of 5” ............................. This code is used in consumer’s cooperative (co-op) organization

and called COOP code.
• IATA ............................................. This code is used for the management of air cargo by IATA
(International Air Transport Association).
3
3-1-1 ITF Composition

• ITF uses 5 bars (spaces) to represent one character. Since the two bars out of the five are wide, it is named “2 of 5”.
• In ITF, characters represented by bars are interleaved with characters represented by spaces, as shown below.
3 5
Character Bar pattern
Start code bars Stop code bars
START
2
3
5
8
8 2
STOP
• The first character is represented by 5 bars and the second one by 5 spaces. Therefore, ITF has always even digits.
(“ITF of 5 digits” unavailable)
• ITF has high-density composition, because both bars and spaces have information.
• No start/stop character is used, but bar patterns representing start and stop are used.
24
3-1-2 ITF Character Composition

ITF is composed using the characters in the following table. Characters that can be represented are numbers only
(0 to 9).
Character Bar pattern Character Bar pattern

START 5
0 6
1 7
2 8
3 9
4 STOP
3-1-3 ITF Features

As ITF is the bar code with very high data density, it offers the following features:
3
• The label size can be smaller than those of other codes with the same digits.
It is effective to print bar codes in small spaces.
• More data can be contained compared with other codes, if the label size is same. (Number of digits can be increased.)
• Wider bar width is possible, if the label size and the number of digits are same.
If the bar width is wider, it is easy for the bar code reader to read. The reading with long distance can also be
performed.
Comparison of bar code length

The following figures show a comparison of the bar code length of each bar code
type, when the same narrow bar width and the same amount of information are
used. It is obvious that the ITF is the shortest.
(Comparison is based on the binary level bar codes)
ITF CODE 39 Codabar
25
3-1-4 ITF Applications

• ITF is used for more information required in a small space.
• It is used for the standard distribution code to be printed on the corrugated cardboard boxes.
(The details are explained on page 28)
3-1-5 Disadvantages of ITF

Although ITF has many advantages, it also has the disadvantage of the possible “skip reading” due to its composition.
Skip reading means that the bar code representing “3852” is incorrectly read as “38” with some digits being skipped.
3 3 5
3
8 2
When the laser beam scans in a
slanting direction as shown left,
the bar code is read as “38”.
One Point
When ITF is used, to avoid the skip reading, the bar code reader shall be set to the “digit designation”
function mode where only the specified numbers of digits are read.
26
3-1-6 Other “2 of 5” Codes

“COOP 2 of 5” and “Industrial 2 of 5”, versions of ITF (interleaved “2 of 5”), are introduced below.
COOP “2 of 5”
This code is used by co-op organization. That is why it is called COOP “2 of 5”. It is usually printed on the corrugated
cardboard boxes that contain the goods for the delivery to co-op. It is also used for checking the goods. Bar composition
of COOP “2 of 5” is as follows:
START
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
3
STOP
Industrial “2 of 5”
In the past, this code was used in industrial applications. However, it is not currently used in many areas, except for
some distribution applications.
Industrial “2 of 5” has the following bar composition and uses 5 bars representing one character. Since this code
assigns the data only to bars, not to spaces, it has very low data density.
START
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
STOP
27
3-2 Standard Distribution Code

The standard distribution code based on ITF is explained in details.
3-2-1 What Is Standard Distribution Code?

Standard distribution code is a bar code mainly marked on the corrugated cardboard box and standardized for the
distribution system. The following section describes how the standard distribution code was introduced.
3-2-2 Just-in-time Needs

Retail stores such as supermarkets aim to reduce the inventory in order to keep as wide floor space as possible. To
meet this requirement, manufactures and whole sellers have to deliver the ordered goods without fail in the required
quantity at the required time. This is called the just-in-time system (JIT). This brings the following situation.
1 Diversification of packaging
Retailers place orders in various unit quantities like 120 pieces or 10 pieces. Therefore, various package sizes are
developed to meet such requirements as 120 pieces or 10 pieces.
3
120 pieces 10 pieces
2 Truck transportation as main distribution means

Since the quantity for the delivery at a time has decreased and the frequency of the delivery has increased, truck
transportation plays the main part of the distribution.
Under the current traffic conditions, it is however not allowed to park a truck for a long time for loading and
unloading. Therefore, packages must be prepared (picked) so that they can be loaded onto the truck that is expected
to arrive at the specified time. If every order slip is checked at that time, it takes too much time to complete the
loading on the truck in time.
28
3-2-3 Creation of Standard Distribution Code

The standard distribution code was created to meet the trend of distribution diversification. The standard distribution
code indicates the contents of EAN code of the products contained in the package and the packaging data (the product
quantity in the package). When the standard distribution code is read by the bar code reader, the item and quantity of
the product is known instantly. This allows many things in the distribution system to be rationalized, such as “picking”,
“assortment”, “checking product”, “stock control” and “stock taking”.
3-2-4 Composition of Standard Distribution Code

The standard distribution code consists of the EAN code of the product packaged and the prefixed distribution
identification code.
JAN code Standard distribution code
Data composition is as follows:
Country Product item

code code (5 digits)
(2 digits)
Distribution Manufacturer Check digit
identification code (5 digits) (1 digit)
code (1 digit)
One Point
It is not necessary to register a new manufacturer code because the EAN manufacturer code can be
used for the standard distribution code.
29
3-2-5 Assigning Distribution Identification Code

The distribution identification code represents the quantity and the contents of the products mixed in the package, using
1 digit. For the indication of the quantity, it does not represent the actual quantity of the product in the package, and the
code corresponding to the quantity is defined by users.
Identification code
Distribution identification code Description
0 Package containing products mixed
1 to 7 Quantity of the same product in the package
8 Reserved
9 Add-on version added
* See page 32 for add-on version.
(Example) If the same products are packaged differently, different distribution identification codes are used.
Standard distribution code
EAN code
6 pieces packaged
12 pieces packaged
30
3-2-6 Standard Size of Standard Distribution Code

The size of the standard distribution code can be enlarged or reduced within the magnification range of 0.25 to 1.2
based on the standard narrow bar width of 1 mm 0.04" (magnification ratio: 1). (Magnification of 0.625 to 1.2 is applied
for export.) The length of bar code with each magnification is as follows.
(The bar code length includes the quiet zones.)
Bar code length
Magnification Bar code length Magnification Bar code length
1.2 171 mm 6.73" 0.625 89 mm 3.50"
1.0 143 mm 5.63" 0.40 57 mm 2.24"

3
0.8 114 mm 4.49" 0.25 36 mm 1.42"
Specifications of the printing locations
0.75"
19 mm or more
1.26" ±0.12"
32 ±3 mm
149
31
3-2-7 Why Is ITF Used?

ITF allows wider narrow bar width compared with other codes, if the label size and the number of digits are same.
Therefore, even the printers with poor print quality can print the ITF code. Moreover, wider narrow bar width allows the
bar code to be read from a long distance.
3-2-8 What Is Add-on Version?

Add-on version
The add-on version is the distribution code added after the standard version of the standard distribution code. It is used
for products such as ham and sausages whose prices vary according to the weight of each individual package. The
add-on version consists of five digits representing the measured value and the check digit with 1 digit. If a decimal point
3 is necessary, it shall be placed between the third and fourth digits. Instead of add-on version, “GS1-128” based on
CODE 128 is currently used as a code to represent measured values.
3-2-9 Bearer Bar
Bearer bar
Bar codes are printed on corrugated cardboard boxes using flexographic printing (the printing method using a resin or
rubber relief press). Since the surface of the corrugated cardboard is not completely flat, the printing pressure of the
flexographic press is not applied evenly. This may cause a distorted bar code. A bearer bar code is used to prevent the
direct printing pressure from being concentrated on the bar code and to keep the printing pressure evenly.
32
Chapter 4
CODE 39 and Codabar
4-1 CODE 39 34
4-1-1 CODE 39 Composition 34
4-1-2 CODE 39 Character Composition 34
4-1-3 CODE 39 Features 35
4-1-4 CODE 39 Applications 35
4-2 Codabar 37
4-2-1 Codabar Composition 37
4-2-2 Codabar Character Composition 37
4-2-3 Codabar Features 38
4-2-4 Codabar Applications 38
Chapter 4 CODE 39 and Codabar
4-1 CODE 39
CODE 39 is the bar code developed by Intermec Corporation in 1975. Total 43 characters
including numbers, alphabets and some symbols can be included in the bar code. Since alphabets
can be handled, CODE 39 is indispensable in the industrial fields and used in FA industries such
as automobiles and electronics. It is standardized by AIAG (Automotive Industry Action Group) in
U.S.A.
4-1-1 CODE 39 Composition

CODE 39 is named for its pattern of bars and spaces, with 3 out of 9 bars and spaces being wide. The basic
composition is as follows:
• One letter (character) is represented by 9 bars and spaces.

• Asterisks (*) are attached to the start and end of the bar code. (start/stop character)
• The space between characters is called an “inter-character gap”. Generally, the gap width is as wide as the narrow bar
width. (The maximum width is ruled to be 3 to 5.3 times wider than that of the narrow bar.)
Inter-character gap
* 1 A
*
4-1-2 CODE 39 Character Composition

The following table shows the character composition of CODE 39.
4 CODE 39 can represent characters including numbers (0 to 9), alphabets and symbols (-, ., _ (space), *, $, /, +, %).
Character Bar pattern Character Bar pattern Character Bar pattern

0 F T
1 G U
2 H V
3 I W
4 J X
5 K Y
6 L Z
7 M
8 N .
9 O SPACE
A P $
B Q /
C R +
D S %
E
*
34

• Since CODE 39 represents not only numbers but also alphabets and symbols, it allows also the item number to be
represented.
• The start/stop character is an asterisk (*).
• 9 bars and spaces are used to represent one character. More bars and spaces than other codes provide less
incomplete reading and high reliability.
• 9 bars and spaces are used to represent one character. More bars and spaces than other codes provide the largest
size of bar code.
When the data requires alphabets, CODE 39 is ideal.

CODE 39 is used mainly in industrial applications.
35
AIAG label
AIAG (Automotive Industry Action Group) label is the bar code label standardized by its industry for checking
automotive parts receipts in U.S.A. The label is attached to the containers of automotive parts without fail. Every receipt
of the parts is confirmed by reading the label.
TP31520AC82007
PART NO.
(P)
Part code
100
QUANTITY
(Q)
The number of parts contained
SUPPLIER
(V)
16 2 9 6 8 7 3 4
Supplier code
SERIAL
(S)
5 13 4 4 3 19 9
Serial number
XYZ COMPANY,INC. ROMULUS,MI 48174
36
4-2 Codabar
Codabar is the bar code developed by Monarch Marking Systems in 1972. It is the bar code
introduced at early stage following “2 of 5”. It is widely used for applications that require serial
numbers, such as management of blood banks, slips for door-to-door delivery services and
member cards.
4-2-1 Codabar Composition

Codabar has 4 bars and 3 spaces (total 7 elements) with each narrow or wide width representing one character (letter).
The basic composition of Codabar is as follows:
• 7 bars and spaces represent one character.

• Any one of A, B, C or D (a, b, c or d) is attached to the start and end of the bar code.
(start/stop character)
* Start/stop character has any combination

of A A, B B, A C, D A, etc.
• Inter-character gap is the same as for CODE 39.
4
4-2-2 Codabar Character Composition
Codabar can represent characters including numbers (0 to 9), alphabets (A, B, C, D) and symbols (-, $, /, ., +).
Character Bar pattern Character Bar pattern

0 -
1 $
2 :
3 /
4 .
5 +
6 A
7 B
8 C
9 D
37
4-2-3 Codabar Features

• Skip reading is less likely with Codabar than with ITF. Smaller bar code size is possible compared with CODE 39.
However, it does not always mean that skip reading never happens with Codabar. If the print quality of the bar code is
poor, skip reading tends to occur as shown below.
If one space is printed wider than what to be, the

character is considered to be a stop character, and the
skip reading is caused accordingly.
4 A
One Point
To avoid skip reading, it is recommended to apply the same way as for ITF, using the “digit designation”
function of the bar code reader where only the specified numbers of digits are read.
• Availability of any start/stop character combination allows versatile usage.

For example, A A is used for the list price, A C for the special discount price, and C C for the price at
bargain sale.
4-2-4 Codabar Applications

Slips for door-to-door delivery service (example in Japan)
The slip number for inquiry is included in the bar code.
Dates of collection and delivery of the goods can be easily found out by reading the bar code at any distribution center
office in any local area. Any inquiry from customers can instantly be answered accordingly.
4 Sender
Distribution
center office
Distribution
center office
(Osaka)
in Osaka in Tokyo
Collection Delivery Collection Delivery
Arrival Loading Arrival at Loading

on trucks Tokyo on trucks
Checking the slip with receipt

confirmation stamped Destination
(Tokyo)
Delivery
completed
Blood bank
Codabar is also applied to the test tube for blood test (specimen) in order to confirm the individual ID.
38
Chapter 5
CODE 128 and GS1-128
5-1 CODE 128 40
5-1-1 CODE 128 Composition 40
5-1-2 CODE 128 Features 41
5-1-3 CODE 128 Applications 41
5-1-4 CODE 128 Character Composition 42
5-2 GS1-128 43
5-2-1 What Is GS1-128? 43
5-2-2 Background of GS1-128 Establishment 44
5-2-3 GS1-128 Composition 44
5-2-4 Application Identifier 46
5-2-5 GS1-128 Applications 50
5-1 CODE 128

CODE 128 is the bar code developed by Computer Identics Corporation (U.S.A.) in 1981.
CODE 128 bar code can represent all 128 ASCII code characters (numbers, upper case/lower
case of alphabets, symbols and control codes). Since it can represent all characters (except
Japanese kanji, hiragana and katakana) that can be worked with a computer keyboard, it is a
computer friendly bar code.
5-1-1 CODE 128 Composition

The basic composition is as follows:
Start code Check digit (Modulus 103)

Stop code
START CODE C
STOP
FNC1
94
90
34
56
78
94
31
00
03
55
90
12
01
01
• There are 4 types of bar size.
• One character is represented by 3 bars and 3 spaces (total six elements).
• A start character has three types; “CODE-A”, “CODE-B” and “CODE-C”. The type of start character determines the
character composition of subsequent characters. (See the table of character composition on page 42. For example,
when CODE A is used as a start character, the characters in the CODE-A column can be represented.)
Start with CODE-C Change to CODE-A

START CODE C
CODE A
STOP
FNC1
30
22
17
10
D
1
5
• When CODE-C is used, 2-digits numbers can be represented by one type of bar pattern. This allows the very high
data density.
• When code set characters (CODE-A, CODE-B and CODE-C) are used, the bar code started with the start character of
CODE-A can be changed to use the characters in the CODE-B or CODE-C column in the middle of bar code
processing.
• When “SHIFT” is used, only one character next to the SHIFT can be changed to the character in the next column (A to
B, B to C, C to A). (Similar to the SHIFT key operation of on the computer keyboard)
• “Modulus 103” is used as a check digit.

40

• CODE 128 bar code can include all 128 ASCII code characters (including control codes such as [ESC], [STX], [ETX],
[CR] and [LF]).
• When CODE-C is used as the start character, one bar pattern can represent 2-digits numbers. This allows very
efficient bar code composition. If the bar code data has 12 or more digits, CODE 128 provides smaller size than ITF.
• Since CODE 128 uses 4 types of bar size, printers with high print quality are required. CODE 128 is not suitable for
printing with dot matrix printers and FA ink-jet printers and for flexographic printing on corrugated cardboards.

Use of CODE-C as the start code allows CODE 128 to provide the bar code with very high data density, if only numbers
are handled.
GS1-128 makes use of the characteristics of CODE 128 and is currently used in many industrial applications. With
GS1-128, various data are included in the bar code, such as manufacturing date of the product, open date, weight, size,
lot number, destination, customer’s account, etc.
CODE 128 is used in the following industries:
U.S.A. apparel industry

U.S.A. food process industry
U.S.A. drugs and medical equipment industry
Food industries in Australia and New Zealand
European drugs and medical instruments industry
The details of GS1-128 is described in the page 43.
41
5-1-4 CODE 128 Character Composition

Numerical Numerical
CODE A CODE B CODE C Bar pattern CODE A CODE B CODE C Bar pattern
value value
0 SP SP 00 54 V V 54
1 ! ! 01 55 W W 55
2 " " 02 56 X X 56
3 # # 03 57 Y Y 57
4 $ $ 04 58 Z Z 58
5 % % 05 59 [ [ 59
6 & & 06 60 \ \ 60
7 ' ' 07 61 ] ] 61
8 ( ( 08 62 ^ ^ 62
9 ) ) 09 63 _ _ 63
10 * * 10 64 NUL ` 64
11 + + 11 65 SOH a 65
12 , , 12 66 STX b 66
13 - - 13 67 ETX c 67
14 . . 14 68 EOT d 68
15 / / 15 69 ENQ e 69
16 0 0 16 70 ACK f 70
17 1 1 17 71 BEL g 71
18 2 2 18 72 BS h 72
19 3 3 19 73 HT i 73
20 4 4 20 74 LF j 74
21 5 5 21 75 VT k 75
22 6 6 22 76 FF l 76
23 7 7 23 77 CR m 77
24 8 8 24 78 SO n 78
25 9 9 25 79 SI o 79
26 : : 26 80 DLE p 80
27 ; ; 27 81 DC1 q 81
28 < < 28 82 DC2 r 82
29 = = 29 83 DC3 s 83
30 > > 30 84 DC4 t 84
31 ? ? 31 85 NAK u 85
32 @ @ 32 86 SYN v 86
33 A A 33 87 ETB w 87
34 B B 34 88 CAN x 88
35 C C 35 89 EM y 89
36 D D 36 90 SUB z 90
37 E E 37 91 ESC { 91
38 F F 38 92 FS | 92
5 39
40
G
H
G
H
39
40
93
94
GS
RS
}
to
93
94
41 I I 41 95 US DEL 95
42 J J 42 96 FNC 3 FNC 3 96
43 K K 43 97 FNC 2 FNC 2 97
44 L L 44 98 SHIFT SHIFT 98
45 M M 45 99 CODE C CODE C 99
46 N N 46 100 CODE B FNC 4 CODE B
47 O O 47 101 FNC 4 CODE A CODE A
48 P P 48 102 FNC 1 FNC 1 FNC 1
49 Q Q 49 103 START(CODE A)
50 R R 50 104 START(CODE B)
51 S S 51 105 START(CODE C)
52 T T 52
53 U U 53 STOP
42
5-2 GS1-128
5-2-1 What Is GS1-128?
GS1-128 is the bar code that provides various data including distribution and business transaction data in addition to
the data provided by the JAN code and the standard distribution code (ITF) currently available.
Following data can be included in GS1-128 bar code:
• Package number • Lot number

• Quantity in package • Location number (destination)
• Weight, capacity and cubic capacity • Customer’s account code
• Manufacturing date and validity of quality • Customer’s order number
The necessary data are used to form the bar code label for the various applications.
For example, On-line purchasing/ordering using EDI (the system for exchanging electronic data between companies),
management of open date for the foods, management of drugs validity, simplifying the works for checking incoming
products, assorting the packages for every destination, etc. (The following label is a sample of the foods manufacturer.)
0733
BONELESS DANISH HAM
Net Weight: 14.123 kgs
Best Before: 27AUG99 Pc03
(01)99310095000358 (15)990827 (30)03

Delivery quantity
Product item code
Validity of quality
(August 27, 1999)
5
(3103)14123 (10)5097 (21)090023
Net weight Serial number
Lot number
43
5-2-2 Background of GS1-128 Establishment

JAN code and the standard distribution code (ITF) are the bar codes for indicating the product itself and its quantity and
not for the data such as manufacturing date, package number, validity of quality and order number.
While CODE 39 allows such data to be included in the bar code, the exchange of such data between companies is not
allowed because the definition and the number of digits of the data are different.
GS1-128 is established as the world universal bar code for common use, with the items and the number of digits of the
data and the type of the bar code being standardized.
5-2-3 GS1-128 Composition

The basic composition of GS1-128 is as follows:
• Code 128 is used as the bar code.
• In order to separate the required data such as weight and open data, the “application identifier (AI)” is added which is
followed by the data. If more than one data are represented, each data shall be linked.
( 01) 9 93100 95 0003 5 8( 15) 95 0 827 (3 0) 03
A.I. to indicate delivery A.I. to indicate validity A.I. to indicate

container code of quality delivery quantity
Although application identifiers are parenthesized, the parentheses are not included in the
bar code data. They are used just for presentation.
5 In the sample above, following the application identifier “01”, 14-digits code is assigned to identify the delivery container
(minimum package unit for corrugated cardboard boxes). Following the application identifier “15”, the data representing
the validity of quality (consumption validity or drug validity) is given to show August 27, ’95. Following the last application
identifier “30”, the data representing the delivery quantity is given to show 3 pieces.
There are about 100 application identifiers except the above. The required data are selected and included in the bar
codes by users.
GS1-128 is not intended to represent the fixed data, but the data selectable for users. Therefore, for common use with
GS1-128 among the companies, the standards for the bar code system with the data available shall be prepared by the
respective industry and the groups of companies involved.
44
• In order to distinguish GS1-128 from CODE 128, it is required to give [FNC 1](function 1) following the start code
(CODE-A to C).
• Even if the number of digits for the data following the application identifier is a variable-length, [FNC 1] is given to
separate the data.
[FNC 1] to signal GS1-128 [FNC 1] to separate the data
Start code Data 1 Data 2 Data 3 Check Stop

FNC1 A.I. A.I. FNC1 A.I.
C (fixed-length) (variable-length) (variable-length) digit code
• With GS1-128 being added to EAN code and the standard distribution code (ITF), it can be used as the code to add
more data.
EAN 128 is designed to represent the application identifiers and the products relative data or the transaction data of the
companies using CODE 128.
In other words, GS1-128 is the standards for the applications to represent the various data. CODE 128 is the standards
just for the bar code itself. Difference between GS1-128 and CODE 128 is whether it represents the application or not.
Since GS1-128 uses the bar code composition of CODE 128, any bar cord reader that can read CODE 128 can be
used to read the GS1-128 data.
45
5-2-4 Application Identifier

Application Identifier
There are 100 types of application identifier that can be classified as follows. Some of the data following each
application identifier have the fixed number of digits (standard carton ID, date and unit of measurement), while the
others have the undefined number of digits (lot number, serial number, quantity in package, quantity and order number).
Classification Content Application identifier
•C
arton numbers are indicated on the corrugated cardboard box
that contain the mixed products.
•C
arton numbers are indicated on all corrugated cardboard boxes
Package style 00 “Standard carton ID”
that are piled up on pallets.
•F
or use of ASN (Advanced Shipment Notice) with indication on
SCM label (See page 50)
• The corrugated cardboard box meets the delivery requirements 01

and no standard distribution symbol ITF is indicated. “Delivery container code”
• Refurbished products and modified products 20
Products
roducts dates (manufacturing date, packaged date and warranty
•P
management 11 to 17
period) are indicated.
• Product lot number 10
• Product serial number 21
• Weight, cubic capacity and capacity are indicated on the

Measurement
corrugated cardboard box that contains the measured products 310 to 369
indication
(foods and fresh fish).
5 • Customer’s order number 400
• Product consignment number 401

Administration
• Location number (companies, offices and specific places) 410 to 421
• Internal use and any data set by companies 90 to 99
46
Typical application identifiers
Application identifier Content Data’s number of digits
00 Standard carton ID Numbers with 18 digits
“00” is the identifier that gives the package serial number to every corrugated cardboard box and pallet for delivery.
Therefore, the different number is given for every delivery.
The data has 18 digits with the following composition:
Package type 1 digit
Universal company code 7 digits
Package serial number for every delivery 9 digits
Check digit (modulus 10/3 weight) 1 digit
“Package type” is as follows:
Package type
0 Case or carton
1 Pallet (larger than case and carton)
2 Container (larger than pallet)
3 Any package type other than above
4 According to internal requirements (for internal use)
5 According to mutual requirements among the companies concerned
6 to 9 No use allowed
“Universal company code” is indicated by “country code” + “manufacturer code” for the companies who registered JAN.
For the companies who did not register JAN, it is required to obtain the universal business account code.
“Standard carton ID” is called SSCC-18 (Serial Shipping Container Code) in Europe and America.
FROM SHIP TO
ABC
CORPORATION
ABC
STORE
Weight: 263.2 KG Capacity: 1.65 m3

5
SSCC-18
00 0 49 12345 666666666 8
47
Application identifier Content Data’s number of digits
01 Delivery container code Numbers with 14 digits
The same composition of the standard distribution code (ITF) is generally applied to “01”. It consists of the EAN code of
the packaged product and the package indicator that indicates the product quantity.
Package indicator 1 digit
EAN code 12 digits
Check digit (Modulus 10/3 weight) 1 digit
“Package indicator” is as follows:
Package indicator
0 Corrugated cardboard boxes that contain the mixed products
Corrugated cardboard box for one-item that contains the same quantity
1 to 8
Setting within the range of 1 to 8. In many cases, 1 is set.
9 The corrugated cardboard box that contains the different quantity for one-item
Since “delivery container code” has the same data composition as for the EAN code and the standard distribution code,
it can be used only on the condition that EAN and standard distribution codes are not printed on corrugated cardboard
boxes.
“Delivery container code” is called SCC-14 (Shipping Container Code) in Europe and America.
12 0 3 0
ABC Corn
Validity for sale Batch number
98/08/30 456 12
5 0 1 1 9 3 12 4 8 4 12 0 3 0 2 17 9 8 0 3 8 0 10 12
Identifier Delivery container code Identifier Validity for sale Identifier Batch number
(01 is the delivery (17 represents the (August 30, ’98) (10 is the batch number.)
container code.) validity for sale.)
48
Application identifier Content Format
10 Batch number or lot number Within 20 alphanumeric characters
“10” is the application identifier to indicate the batch number and the lot number of the product. 20 alphanumeric
characters (variable-length) or less are available.
11 Manufacturing date (YYMMDD) Numbers with 6 digits

13 Packaged date (YYMMDD) Numbers with 6 digits
15 Validity of quality (YYMMDD) Numbers with 6 digits
17 Validity for sale (YYMMDD) Numbers with 6 digits
The data of various dates are indicated.

For the validity of quality, the important data necessary for management are indicated. For example, “open date” of
foods and “drugs validity” of drugs.
400 Administration number (customer’s order number) Within 30 alphanumeric characters

411 Location number (customer’s account code) Numbers with 13 digits
These are the application identifiers to indicate the administration data such as “order number” of customers and
“customer’s account code”.
410 Location number (destination code) Numbers with 13 digits

420 Location number (destination postal code) Within 9 alphanumeric characters
They are used for assorting goods according to destinations.

“410” is the application identifier that allows the assortment for every company with EAN company codes being used.
“420” is the application identifier that allows the assortment for every delivery destination with postal numbers being
used.
(420) SHIP TO POSTAL CODE

The sample shows that AI “420” and the
postal number “22071” representing the
(420) 22071
domestic delivery location are used for
door-to-door delivery service.
5
ABC GROUNDTRAC
TRACKING NUMBER
12 120 831 03 4176 6347
49
5-2-5 GS1-128 Applications

Distribution industry
The distribution industry uses “SCM label” and ASN (Advanced Shipment Notice) system for more efficient operation of
the works such as outgoing products checking at supplying manufacturers and wholesalers, and incoming products
checking at retailers.
The label used in this system is called SCM (Shipping Carton Marking) label where the application identifier “00”
(See page 46.) representing the standard carton ID is used. The same system is used by the apparel manufacturers
such as Levi’s and Polo and by the retailers such as Wal-Mart, K-mart, GAP, MARBIN and Myers.
Flow chart of the system is as follows:
Retailers Suppliers
Order placement data
Order placement data Order receipt
Picking and products assortment
Reading JAN
Packaging and SCM labeling
Reading SCM
ASN
Scheduled arrival of goods Preparing ASN data
Delivery
Reading SCM
Receipt data
Receipt confirmation Counting sales
5 Assortment and delivery
50
1 The retailer makes an order to the supplier over EDI (the system for exchanging electronic data between
companies).
2 The supplier who received the order performs products assortment and bar code checking (JAN code).
3 After the products assortment and packaging, SCM label is attached for delivery.
4 Then, the detailed data of the delivered goods (ASN = Advance delivered goods detailed data exchange) and the
contents of SCM label are sent to the retailer over EDI.
5 The retailer performs the bar code checking with SCM label and verify the detailed data of 4 .
6 The retailer sends the data of receipt to the supplier over EDI. The supplier counts the sales accordingly.
7 The retailer makes the products assortment by using SCM label and deliveries to each store.
Foods industry
For foods such as meats, fruits and vegetables, “validity of quality” and “batch number” are indicated with GS1-128
being used, in order to manage the date and freshness and to reduce the distribution cost.
8025
ABC Franks
10X500 Grams Packs
Expiry date of quality validity 27AUG95
(01)19310095080250 (15)9508027 (10)5201 (21)100987 5
Delivery container code Serial number
Validity of quality Batch number
51
Organizations in medical field

GS1-128 is used by the organizations such as “HIBCC”(Health Industry Business Communications Council), “HIDA”
(Health Industry Distributors Association) and “EHIBCC”(the European Health Industry Business Communications
Council).
It is intended to manage the drugs validity and the lot number and to reduce the distribution cost.
One of the applications is shown below.
1 Indication for unit of practical use

For pharmacy For administration
EAN13 GS1-128
10 0
2 50
(01)04912345678904
49=country code of Japan (01)=identifier of delivery container code

12345=manufacturer code 0=package indicator
67890=product item code 49=country code of Japan
4=check digit 12345=manufacturer code
67890=product item code
4=check digit
2 Indication for units of sale (inner package)

The sample shows the indication of the product
that has the drug validity of January 1, 1999 and
is packaged by 12 pieces with the lot number of
ABC 123.
(01)14912345678901(15)990101(30)12(10)ABC123
(01)=identifier of delivery container code (15)=identifier of drug validity

1=package indicator 990101=(January 1, ’99)
49=country code of Japan (30)=quantity identifier
12345=manufacturer code 12= (12 pieces in package)
67890=product item code (10)=lot number identifier
4=check digit ABC 123=lot number
3 Indication for a corrugated cardboard box
5 (01)24912345678908(15)990101(30)24(10)ABC1233
The sample shows the indication of the product that has the drug validity
of January 1, 1999 and is packed by 24 pieces with the lot number of
ABC 123.
(01)=identifier of delivery container code (15)=identifier of drug validity
2=package indicator 990101=(January 1, ’99)
49=country code of Japan (30)=quantity identifier
12345=manufacturer code 24= (24 pieces in package)
67890=product item code (10)=lot number identifier
8=check digit
52
Appendices
Appendix 1
Bar Code Length List 54
CODE 39 54
Codabar 55
ITF 56
CODE 128 (CODE-A, B) 57
CODE 128 (CODE-C) 58
Appendix 2
Check Digit Calculation 59
Modulus 10/weight 3 (EAN, ITF, Codabar) 60
Modulus 10/weight 2 (Codabar) 63
7 check DR (Codabar) 64
Weighted Modulus 11 (Codabar) 65
Runes (Modulus 10/weight 2) (Codabar) 67
Appendix 1
Bar Code Length List
CODE 39
Bar code length is calculated in the following conditions:
• Ratio of narrow width to wide width is 1 : 2.5.

• Start/stop character is not included in the digits.
• Margin (quiet zone) is not included.
• Gap between characters is the same size as narrow width.
Bar code length
Narrow width : Wide width = 1 : 2.5

Narrow
width 0.125 mm 0.15 mm 0.19 mm 0.25 mm 0.3 mm 0.4 mm 0.5 mm 0.75 mm 1.0 mm
Digits 0.005" 0.006" 0.007" 0.010" 0.012" 0.016" 0.020" 0.030" 0.039"
1 5.3 0.21" 6.4 0.25" 8.1 0.32" 10.6 0.42" 12.8 0.50" 17.0 0.67" 21.3 0.84" 31.9 1.26" 42.5 1.67"
2 7.1 0.28" 8.6 0.34" 10.8 0.43" 14.3 0.56" 17.1 0.67" 22.8 0.90" 28.5 1.12" 42.8 1.69" 57.0 2.24"
3 8.9 0.35" 10.7 0.42" 13.6 0.54" 17.9 0.70" 21.5 0.85" 28.6 1.13" 35.8 1.41" 53.6 2.11" 71.5 2.81"
4 10.8 0.43" 12.9 0.51" 16.3 0.64" 21.5 0.85" 25.8 1.02" 34.4 1.35" 43.0 1.69" 64.5 2.54" 86.0 3.39"
5 12.6 0.50" 15.1 0.59" 19.1 0.75" 25.1 0.99" 30.2 1.19" 40.2 1.58" 50.3 1.98" 75.4 2.97" 100.5 3.96"
6 14.4 0.57" 17.3 0.68" 21.9 0.86" 28.8 1.13" 34.5 1.36" 46.0 1.81" 57.5 2.26" 86.3 3.40" 115.0 4.53"
7 16.2 0.64" 19.4 0.76" 24.6 0.97" 32.4 1.28" 38.9 1.53" 51.8 2.04" 64.8 2.55" 97.1 3.82" 129.5 5.10"
8 18.0 0.71" 21.6 0.85" 27.4 1.08" 36.0 1.42" 43.2 1.70" 57.6 2.27" 72.0 2.83" 108.0 4.25" 144.0 5.67"
9 19.8 0.78" 23.8 0.94" 30.1 1.19" 39.6 1.56" 47.6 1.87" 63.4 2.50" 79.3 3.12" 118.9 4.68" 158.5 6.24"
10 21.6 0.85" 26.0 1.02" 32.9 1.30" 43.3 1.70" 51.9 2.04" 69.2 2.72" 86.5 3.41" 129.8 5.11" 173.0 6.81"
11 23.4 0.92" 28.1 1.11" 35.6 1.40" 46.9 1.85" 56.3 2.22" 75.0 2.95" 93.8 3.69" 140.6 5.54" 187.5 7.38"
12 25.3 1.00" 30.3 1.19" 38.4 1.51" 50.5 1.99" 60.6 2.39" 80.8 3.18" 101.0 3.98" 151.5 5.96" 202.0 7.95"
13 27.1 1.07" 32.5 1.28" 41.1 1.62" 54.1 2.13" 65.0 2.56" 86.6 3.41" 108.3 4.26" 162.4 6.39" 216.5 8.52"
14 28.9 1.14" 34.7 1.37" 43.9 1.73" 57.8 2.28" 69.3 2.73" 92.4 3.64" 115.5 4.55" 173.3 6.82" 231.0 9.09"
15 30.7 1.21" 36.8 1.45" 46.6 1.83" 61.4 2.42" 73.7 2.90" 98.2 3.87" 122.8 4.83" 184.1 7.25" 245.5 9.67"
16 32.5 1.28" 39.0 1.54" 49.4 1.94" 65.0 2.56" 78.0 3.07" 104.0 4.09" 130.0 5.12" 195.0 7.68" 260.0 10.24"
17 34.3 1.35" 41.2 1.62" 52.2 2.06" 68.6 2.70" 82.4 3.24" 109.8 4.32" 137.3 5.41" 205.9 8.11" 274.5 10.81"
18 36.1 1.42" 43.4 1.71" 54.9 2.16" 72.3 2.85" 86.7 3.41" 115.6 4.55" 144.5 5.69" 216.8 8.54" 289.0 11.38"
19 37.9 1.49" 45.5 1.79" 57.7 2.27" 75.9 2.99" 91.1 3.59" 121.4 4.78" 151.8 5.98" 227.6 8.96" 303.5 11.95"
20 39.8 1.57" 47.7 1.88" 60.4 2.38" 79.5 3.13" 95.4 3.76" 127.2 5.01" 159.0 6.26" 238.5 9.39" 318.0 12.52"
21 41.6 1.64" 49.9 1.96" 63.2 2.49" 83.1 3.27" 99.8 3.93" 133.0 5.24" 166.3 6.55" 249.4 9.82" 332.5 13.09"
22 43.4 1.71" 52.1 2.05" 65.9 2.59" 86.8 3.42" 104.1 4.10" 138.8 5.46" 173.5 6.83" 260.3 10.25" 347.0 13.66"
23 45.2 1.78" 54.2 2.13" 68.7 2.70" 90.4 3.56" 108.5 4.27" 144.6 5.69" 180.8 7.12" 271.1 10.67" 361.5 14.23"
24 47.0 1.85" 56.4 2.22" 71.4 2.81" 94.0 3.70" 112.8 4.44" 150.4 5.92" 188.0 7.40" 282.0 11.10" 376.0 14.80"
25 48.8 1.92" 58.6 2.31" 74.2 2.92" 97.6 3.84" 117.2 4.61" 156.2 6.15" 195.3 7.69" 292.9 11.53" 390.5 15.37"
Unit: mm inch
54
Codabar

• Start/stop character is not included in the digits.
• Gap between characters is the same size as narrow width.
• The data given below is for bar codes consisting of numeric values only.
Bar code length

Narrow
Digits 0.005" 0.006" 0.007" 0.010" 0.012" 0.016" 0.020" 0.030" 0.039"
1 4.4 0.17" 5.3 0.21" 6.7 0.26" 8.8 0.35" 10.5 0.41" 14.0 0.55" 17.5 0.69" 26.3 1.04" 35.0 1.38"
2 5.8 0.23" 6.9 0.27" 8.7 0.34" 11.5 0.45" 13.8 0.54" 18.4 0.72" 23.0 0.91" 34.5 1.36" 46.0 1.81"
3 7.1 0.28" 8.6 0.34" 10.8 0.43" 14.3 0.56" 17.1 0.67" 22.8 0.90" 28.5 1.12" 42.8 1.69" 57.0 2.24"
4 8.5 0.33" 10.2 0.40" 12.9 0.51" 17.0 0.67" 20.4 0.80" 27.2 1.07" 34.0 1.34" 51.0 2.01" 68.0 2.68"
5 9.9 0.39" 11.9 0.47" 15.0 0.59" 19.8 0.78" 23.7 0.93" 31.6 1.24" 39.5 1.56" 59.3 2.33" 79.0 3.11"
6 11.3 0.44" 13.5 0.53" 17.1 0.67" 22.5 0.89" 27.0 1.06" 36.0 1.42" 45.0 1.77" 67.5 2.66" 90.0 3.54"
7 12.6 0.50" 15.2 0.60" 19.2 0.76" 25.3 1.00" 30.3 1.19" 40.4 1.59" 50.5 1.99" 75.8 2.98" 101.0 3.98"
8 14.0 0.55" 16.8 0.66" 21.3 0.84" 28.0 1.10" 33.6 1.32" 44.8 1.76" 56.0 2.20" 84.0 3.31" 112.0 4.41"
9 15.4 0.61" 18.5 0.73" 23.4 0.92" 30.8 1.21" 36.9 1.45" 49.2 1.94" 61.5 2.42" 92.3 3.63" 123.0 4.84"
10 16.8 0.66" 20.1 0.79" 25.5 1.00" 33.5 1.32" 40.2 1.58" 53.6 2.11" 67.0 2.64" 100.5 3.96" 134.0 5.28"
11 18.1 0.71" 21.8 0.86" 27.6 1.09" 36.3 1.43" 43.5 1.71" 58.0 2.28" 72.5 2.85" 108.8 4.28" 145.0 5.71"
12 19.5 0.77" 23.4 0.92" 29.6 1.17" 39.0 1.54" 46.8 1.84" 62.4 2.46" 78.0 3.07" 117.0 4.61" 156.0 6.14"
13 20.9 0.82" 25.1 0.99" 31.7 1.25" 41.8 1.65" 50.1 1.97" 66.8 2.63" 83.5 3.29" 125.3 4.93" 167.0 6.57"
14 22.3 0.88" 26.7 1.05" 33.8 1.33" 44.5 1.75" 53.4 2.10" 71.2 2.80" 89.0 3.50" 133.5 5.26" 178.0 7.01"
15 23.6 0.93" 28.4 1.12" 35.9 1.41" 47.3 1.86" 56.7 2.23" 75.6 2.98" 94.5 3.72" 141.8 5.58" 189.0 7.44"
16 25.0 0.98" 30.0 1.18" 38.0 1.50" 50.0 1.97" 60.0 2.36" 80.0 3.15" 100.0 3.94" 150.0 5.91" 200.0 7.87"
17 26.4 1.04" 31.7 1.25" 40.1 1.58" 52.8 2.08" 63.3 2.49" 84.4 3.32" 105.5 4.15" 158.3 6.23" 211.0 8.31"
18 27.8 1.09" 33.3 1.31" 42.2 1.66" 55.5 2.19" 66.6 2.62" 88.8 3.50" 110.0 4.33" 166.5 6.56" 222.0 8.74"
19 29.1 1.15" 35.0 1.38" 44.3 1.74" 58.3 2.30" 69.9 2.75" 93.2 3.67" 116.5 4.59" 174.8 6.88" 233.0 9.17"
20 30.5 1.20" 36.6 1.44" 46.4 1.83" 61.0 2.40" 73.2 2.88" 97.6 3.84" 122.0 4.80" 183.0 7.20" 244.0 9.61"
21 31.9 1.26" 38.3 1.51" 48.5 1.91" 63.8 2.51" 76.5 3.01" 102.0 4.02" 127.5 5.02" 191.3 7.53" 255.0 10.04"
22 33.3 1.31" 39.9 1.57" 50.5 1.99" 66.5 2.62" 79.8 3.14" 106.4 4.19" 133.0 5.24" 199.5 7.85" 266.0 10.47"
23 34.6 1.36" 41.6 1.64" 52.6 2.07" 69.3 2.73" 83.1 3.27" 110.8 4.36" 138.5 5.45" 207.8 8.18" 277.0 10.91"
24 36.0 1.42" 43.2 1.70" 54.7 2.15" 72.0 2.83" 86.4 3.40" 115.2 4.54" 144.0 5.67" 216.0 8.50" 288.0 11.34"
25 37.4 1.47" 44.9 1.77" 56.8 2.24" 74.8 2.94" 89.7 3.53" 119.6 4.71" 149.5 5.89" 224.3 8.83" 299.0 11.77"
Unit: mm inch
55
ITF

Bar code length

Narrow
Digits 0.005" 0.006" 0.007" 0.010" 0.012" 0.016" 0.020" 0.030" 0.039"
2 3.1 0.12" 3.7 0.15" 4.7 0.19" 6.1 0.24" 7.4 0.29" 9.8 0.39" 12.3 0.48" 18.4 0.72" 24.5 0.96"
4 5.1 0.20" 6.1 0.24" 7.7 0.30" 10.1 0.40" 12.2 0.48" 16.2 0.64" 20.3 0.80" 30.4 1.20" 40.5 1.59"
6 7.1 0.28" 8.5 0.33" 10.7 0.42" 14.1 0.56" 17.0 0.67" 22.6 0.89" 28.3 1.11" 42.4 1.67" 56.5 2.22"
8 9.1 0.36" 10.9 0.43" 13.8 0.54" 18.1 0.71" 21.8 0.86" 29.0 1.14" 36.3 1.43" 54.4 2.14" 72.5 2.85"
10 11.1 0.44" 13.3 0.52" 16.8 0.66" 22.1 0.87" 26.6 1.05" 35.4 1.39" 44.3 1.74" 66.4 2.61" 88.5 3.48"
12 13.1 0.52" 15.7 0.62" 19.9 0.78" 26.1 1.03" 31.4 1.24" 41.8 1.65" 52.3 2.06" 78.4 3.09" 104.5 4.11"
14 15.1 0.59" 18.1 0.71" 22.9 0.90" 30.1 1.19" 36.2 1.43" 48.2 1.90" 60.3 2.37" 90.4 3.56" 120.5 4.74"
16 17.1 0.67" 20.5 0.81" 25.9 1.02" 34.1 1.34" 41.0 1.61" 54.6 2.15" 68.3 2.69" 102.4 4.03" 136.5 5.37"
18 19.1 0.75" 22.9 0.90" 29.0 1.14" 38.1 1.50" 45.8 1.80" 61.0 2.40" 76.3 3.00" 114.4 4.50" 152.5 6.00"
20 21.1 0.83" 25.3 1.00" 32.0 1.26" 42.1 1.66" 50.6 1.99" 67.4 2.65" 84.3 3.32" 126.4 4.98" 168.5 6.63"
22 23.1 0.91" 27.7 1.09" 35.1 1.38" 46.1 1.81" 55.4 2.18" 73.8 2.91" 92.3 3.63" 138.4 5.45" 184.5 7.26"
24 25.1 0.99" 30.1 1.19" 38.1 1.50" 50.1 1.97" 60.2 2.37" 80.2 3.16" 100.3 3.95" 150.4 5.92" 200.5 7.89"
26 27.1 1.07" 32.5 1.28" 41.1 1.62" 54.1 2.13" 65.0 2.56" 86.6 3.41" 108.3 4.26" 162.4 6.39" 216.5 8.52"
28 29.1 1.15" 34.9 1.37" 44.2 1.74" 58.1 2.29" 69.8 2.75" 93.0 3.66" 116.3 4.58" 174.4 6.87" 232.5 9.15"
30 31.1 1.22" 37.3 1.47" 47.2 1.86" 62.1 2.44" 74.6 2.94" 99.4 3.91" 124.3 4.89" 186.4 7.34" 248.5 9.78"
Unit: mm inch
56
CODE 128 (CODE-A, B)

* The following example is for bar codes whose start character is CODE-A or B.

• It is assumed that the bar code value will not be converted from CODE-A to CODE-B halfway.
Bar code length
Narrow
Digits 0.005" 0.006" 0.007" 0.010" 0.012" 0.016" 0.020" 0.030" 0.039"
1 5.8 0.23" 6.9 0.27" 8.7 0.34" 11.5 0.45" 13.8 0.54" 18.4 0.72" 23.0 0.91" 34.5 1.36" 46.0 1.81"
2 7.1 0.28" 8.6 0.34" 10.8 0.43" 14.3 0.56" 17.1 0.67" 22.8 0.90" 28.5 1.12" 42.8 1.69" 57.0 2.24"
3 8.5 0.33" 10.2 0.40" 12.9 0.51" 17.0 0.67" 20.4 0.80" 27.2 1.07" 34.0 1.34" 51.0 2.01" 68.0 2.68"
4 9.9 0.39" 11.9 0.47" 15.0 0.59" 19.8 0.78" 23.7 0.93" 31.6 1.24" 39.5 1.56" 59.3 2.33" 79.0 3.11"
5 11.3 0.44" 13.5 0.53" 17.1 0.67" 22.5 0.89" 27.0 1.06" 36.0 1.42" 45.0 1.77" 67.5 2.66" 90.0 3.54"
6 12.6 0.50" 15.2 0.60" 19.2 0.76" 25.3 1.00" 30.3 1.19" 40.4 1.59" 50.5 1.99" 75.8 2.98" 101.0 3.98"
7 14.0 0.55" 16.8 0.66" 21.3 0.84" 28.0 1.10" 33.6 1.32" 44.8 1.76" 56.0 2.20" 84.0 3.31" 112.0 4.41"
8 15.4 0.61" 18.5 0.73" 23.4 0.92" 30.8 1.21" 36.9 1.45" 49.2 1.94" 61.5 2.42" 92.3 3.63" 123.0 4.84"
9 16.8 0.66" 20.1 0.79" 25.5 1.00" 33.5 1.32" 40.2 1.58" 53.6 2.11" 67.0 2.64" 100.5 3.96" 134.0 5.28"
10 18.1 0.71" 21.8 0.86" 27.6 1.09" 36.3 1.43" 43.5 1.71" 58.0 2.28" 72.5 2.85" 108.8 4.28" 145.0 5.71"
11 19.5 0.77" 23.4 0.92" 29.6 1.17" 39.0 1.54" 46.8 1.84" 62.4 2.46" 78.0 3.07" 117.0 4.61" 156.0 6.14"
12 20.9 0.82" 25.1 0.99" 31.7 1.25" 41.8 1.65" 50.1 1.97" 66.8 2.63" 83.5 3.29" 125.3 4.93" 167.0 6.57"
13 22.3 0.88" 26.7 1.05" 33.8 1.33" 44.5 1.75" 53.4 2.10" 71.2 2.80" 89.0 3.50" 133.5 5.26" 178.0 7.01"
14 23.6 0.93" 28.4 1.12" 35.9 1.41" 47.3 1.86" 56.7 2.23" 75.6 2.98" 94.5 3.72" 141.8 5.58" 189.0 7.44"
15 25.0 0.98" 30.0 1.18" 38.0 1.50" 50.0 1.97" 60.0 2.36" 80.0 3.15" 100.0 3.94" 150.0 5.91" 200.0 7.87"
16 26.4 1.04" 31.7 1.25" 40.1 1.58" 52.8 2.08" 63.3 2.49" 84.4 3.32" 105.5 4.15" 158.3 6.23" 211.0 8.31"
17 27.8 1.09" 33.3 1.31" 42.2 1.66" 55.5 2.19" 66.6 2.62" 88.8 3.50" 111.0 4.37" 166.5 6.56" 222.0 8.74"
18 29.1 1.15" 35.0 1.38" 44.3 1.74" 58.3 2.30" 69.9 2.75" 93.2 3.67" 116.5 4.59" 174.8 6.88" 233.0 9.17"
19 30.5 1.20" 36.6 1.44" 46.4 1.83" 61.0 2.40" 73.2 2.88" 97.6 3.84" 122.0 4.80" 183.0 7.20" 244.0 9.61"
20 31.9 1.26" 38.3 1.51" 48.5 1.91" 63.8 2.51" 76.5 3.01" 102.0 4.02" 127.5 5.02" 191.3 7.53" 255.0 10.04"
21 33.3 1.31" 39.9 1.57" 50.5 1.99" 66.5 2.62" 79.8 3.14" 106.4 4.19" 133.0 5.24" 199.5 7.85" 266.0 10.47"
22 34.6 1.36" 41.6 1.64" 52.6 2.07" 69.3 2.73" 83.1 3.27" 110.8 4.36" 138.5 5.45" 207.8 8.18" 277.0 10.91"
23 36.0 1.42" 43.2 1.70" 54.7 2.15" 72.0 2.83" 86.4 3.40" 115.2 4.54" 144.0 5.67" 216.0 8.50" 288.0 11.34"
24 37.4 1.47" 44.9 1.77" 56.8 2.24" 74.8 2.94" 89.7 3.53" 119.6 4.71" 149.5 5.89" 224.3 8.83" 299.0 11.77"
25 38.8 1.53" 46.5 1.83" 58.9 2.32" 77.5 3.05" 93.0 3.66" 124.0 4.88" 155.0 6.10" 232.5 9.15" 310.0 12.20"
Unit: mm inch
57
CODE 128 (CODE-C)

* The following example is for bar codes whose start character is CODE-C.

• It is assumed that the bar code value will not be converted from CODE-C to CODE-A or CODE-B
or vice versa halfway.
Bar code length
Narrow
Digits 0.005" 0.006" 0.007" 0.010" 0.012" 0.016" 0.020" 0.030" 0.039"
2 5.8 0.23" 6.9 0.27" 8.7 0.34" 11.5 0.45" 13.8 0.54" 18.4 0.72" 23.0 0.91" 34.5 1.36" 46.0 1.81"
4 7.1 0.28" 8.6 0.34" 10.8 0.43" 14.3 0.56" 17.1 0.67" 22.8 0.90" 28.5 1.12" 42.8 1.69" 57.0 2.24"
6 8.5 0.33" 10.2 0.40" 12.9 0.51" 17.0 0.67" 20.4 0.80" 27.2 1.07" 34.0 1.34" 51.0 2.01" 68.0 2.68"
8 9.9 0.39" 11.9 0.47" 15.0 0.59" 19.8 0.78" 23.7 0.93" 31.6 1.24" 39.5 1.56" 59.3 2.33" 79.0 3.11"
10 11.3 0.44" 13.5 0.53" 17.1 0.67" 22.5 0.89" 27.0 1.06" 36.0 1.42" 45.0 1.77" 67.5 2.66" 90.0 3.54"
12 12.6 0.50" 15.2 0.60" 19.2 0.76" 25.3 1.00" 30.3 1.19" 40.4 1.59" 50.5 1.99" 75.8 2.98" 101.0 3.98"
14 14.0 0.55" 16.8 0.66" 21.3 0.84" 28.0 1.10" 33.6 1.32" 44.8 1.76" 56.0 2.20" 84.0 3.31" 112.0 4.41"
16 15.4 0.61" 18.5 0.73" 23.4 0.92" 30.8 1.21" 36.9 1.45" 49.2 1.94" 61.5 2.42" 92.3 3.63" 123.0 4.84"
18 16.8 0.66" 20.1 0.79" 25.5 1.00" 33.5 1.32" 40.2 1.58" 53.6 2.11" 67.0 2.64" 100.5 3.96" 134.0 5.28"
20 18.1 0.71" 21.8 0.86" 27.6 1.09" 36.3 1.43" 43.5 1.71" 58.0 2.28" 72.5 2.85" 108.8 4.28" 145.0 5.71"
22 19.5 0.77" 23.4 0.92" 29.6 1.17" 39.0 1.54" 46.8 1.84" 62.4 2.46" 78.0 3.07" 117.0 4.61" 156.0 6.14"
24 20.9 0.82" 25.1 0.99" 31.7 1.25" 41.8 1.65" 50.1 1.97" 66.8 2.63" 83.5 3.29" 125.3 4.93" 167.0 6.57"
26 22.3 0.88" 26.7 1.05" 33.8 1.33" 44.5 1.75" 53.4 2.10" 71.2 2.80" 89.0 3.50" 133.5 5.26" 178.0 7.01"
28 23.6 0.93" 28.4 1.12" 35.9 1.41" 47.3 1.86" 56.7 2.23" 75.6 2.98" 94.5 3.72" 141.8 5.58" 189.0 7.44"
30 25.0 0.98" 30.0 1.18" 38.0 1.50" 50.0 1.97" 60.0 2.36" 80.0 3.15" 100.0 3.94" 150.0 5.91" 200.0 7.87"
32 26.4 1.04" 31.7 1.25" 40.1 1.58" 52.8 2.08" 63.3 2.49" 84.4 3.32" 105.5 4.15" 158.3 6.23" 211.0 8.31"
34 27.8 1.09" 33.3 1.31" 42.2 1.66" 55.5 2.19" 66.6 2.62" 88.8 3.50" 111.0 4.37" 166.5 6.56" 222.0 8.74"
36 29.1 1.15" 35.0 1.38" 44.3 1.74" 58.3 2.30" 69.9 2.75" 93.2 3.67" 116.5 4.59" 174.8 6.88" 233.0 9.17"
38 30.5 1.20" 36.6 1.44" 46.4 1.83" 61.0 2.40" 73.2 2.88" 97.6 3.84" 122.0 4.80" 183.0 7.20" 244.0 9.61"
40 31.9 1.26" 38.3 1.51" 48.5 1.91" 63.8 2.51" 76.5 3.01" 102.0 4.02" 127.5 5.02" 191.3 7.53" 255.0 10.04"
42 33.3 1.31" 39.9 1.57" 50.5 1.99" 66.5 2.62" 79.8 3.14" 106.4 4.19" 133.0 5.24" 199.5 7.85" 266.0 10.47"
44 34.6 1.36" 41.6 1.64" 52.6 2.07" 69.3 2.73" 83.1 3.27" 110.8 4.36" 138.5 5.45" 207.8 8.18" 277.0 10.91"
46 36.0 1.42" 43.2 1.70" 54.7 2.15" 72.0 2.83" 86.4 3.40" 115.2 4.54" 144.0 5.67" 216.0 8.50" 288.0 11.34"
48 37.4 1.47" 44.9 1.77" 56.8 2.24" 74.8 2.94" 89.7 3.53" 119.6 4.71" 149.5 5.89" 224.3 8.83" 299.0 11.77"
50 38.8 1.53" 46.5 1.83" 58.9 2.32" 77.5 3.05" 93.0 3.66" 124.0 4.88" 155.0 6.10" 232.5 9.15" 310.0 12.20"
Unit: mm inch
58
Appendix 2
Check Digit Calculation
Modulus 43 (CODE 39)
Modulus 43 is used to calculate the check digit for CODE 39.
This section explains the rules and calculation method for using Modulus 43.
Rules
The check digit is placed next to the last character of the bar code data (immediately before the stop
character).
Calculation method
1. Exchange all bar code data, except for the start and stop characters, with numbers according to
the following exchange table.
2. Find the total of these numbers.
3. Divide the total by 43 and calculate the remainder.
4. Exchange the remainder according to the exchange table. This character is the check digit.
Character Value Character Value Character Value Character Value

0 0 B 11 M 22 X 33
1 1 C 12 N 23 Y 34
2 2 D 13 O 24 Z 35
3 3 E 14 P 25 - 36
4 4 F 15 Q 26 . 37
5 5 G 16 R 27 (Space) 38
6 6 H 17 S 28 $ 39
7 7 I 18 T 29 / 40
8 8 J 19 U 30 + 41
9 9 K 20 V 31 % 42
A 10 L 21 W 32
Example
To create a bar code for the data “*ABCD1234+ *”
Data A B C D 1 2 3 4 +
Numerical 10 +11 +12 +13 +1 +2 +3 +4 +41 =97

value
97 ÷ 43 = 2 Remainder is 11.
11 B ··· Check digit
The completed bar code is “*ABCD1234+B*”
59
Modulus 10/weight 3 (EAN, ITF, Codabar)

Modulus 10/weight 3 is used to calculate the check digit for EAN, ITF, and Codabar.
This section explains the rules for using Modulus 10/weight 3 and the calculation method.
Rules
• All of the bar code data should be numbers from 0 to 9, except for the start and stop characters of
Codabar.
• The check digit is placed next to the last character of the bar code data. In the case of Codabar, it
is placed next to the last character, immediately before the stop character.
Calculation method
1. Assign a serial number to each bar code data, except for the start and stop characters and check
digit, beginning from the rightmost digit and moving to the left.
2. Multiply the bar code data on the digit assigned odd number by 3, and do nothing to the bar code
data on the digit assigned even number. Calculate the total of these numbers.
4. When the remainder is 0, the check digit is 0. When the remainder is a number other than 0, the
check digit is the value obtained by subtracting the remainder from 10.
Example:
To create a bar code for the data “490123456789 ”
Number 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Bar code data 4 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

X X X X X X X X X X X X
Weight 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3
4 +27 +0 +3 +2 +9 +4 +15 +6 +21 +8 +27=126
126 ÷ 10 = 12 Remainder is 6.
10 – 6 = 4 Check digit
The completed bar code is “4901234567894”
60
Modulus 16 (Codabar)
Modulus 16 is used to calculate the check digit for Codabar
Rules
• The check digit is placed next to the last character of the bar code data (immediately before the
stop character).
Calculation method
1. Exchange all bar code data, including the start and stop characters, with numbers according to
the following exchange table.
2. Find the total of these numbers.
4. When the remainder is 0, the check digit is 0.

When the remainder is a number other than 0, subtract the remainder from 16 and then exchange
this number with a character according to the exchange table. This character is the check digit.
Character Value Character Value Character Value Character Value

0 0 5 5 - 10 + 15
1 1 6 6 $ 11 A 16
2 2 7 7 : 12 B 17
3 3 8 8 / 13 C 18
4 4 9 9 . 14 D 19
Example:
To create a bar code for the data “ A19+1243 B”
Data A 1 9 + 1 2 4 3 B
Numerical 16 +1 +9 +15 +1 +2 +4 +3 +17 = 68

value
68 ÷ 16 = 4 Remainder is 4.
16 – 4 = 12
12 : ··· Check digit
The completed bar code is “ A19+1243:B”
61
Modulus 11 (Codabar)
Modulus 11 is used to calculate the check digit for Codabar.
Rules
stop character).
• All of the bar code data should be numbers from 0 to 9, except for the start and stop characters.
• The first 6 digits of the bar code data are used to calculate Modulus 11. Therefore, the bar code
data should have 6 digits or more not including the start and stop characters. If the bar code data
has more than 6 digits, only the first 6 digits are used for the calculation, and the remaining digits
are ignored.
stop character).
Calculation method
1. Extract the first 6 digits of the bar code data, not including the start and stop characters.
2. Multiply the extracted 6 numbers by the weight coefficient 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2 in serial order from
the top. Find the total of these numbers.
4. When the remainder is 0, the check digit is 1. When the remainder is 1, the check digit is 0.
When the remainder is a number other than 0 or 1, subtract the remainder from 11.
This number is the check digit.
Example:
To create a bar code for the data “ A2431245 B”
Data 2 4 3 1 2 4
X X X X X X
Weight 7 6 5 4 3 2
14 +24 +15 +4 +6 +8 = 71
11 – 5 = 6 ··· Check digit
The completed bar code is “ A24312456B”
62
Modulus 10/weight 2 (Codabar)

Modulus 10/weight 2 is used to calculate the check digit for Codabar.
This section explains the rules and calculation method for using Modulus 10/weight 2.
Rules
stop character).
Calculation method
1. Assign a number to each bar code data beginning from the rightmost digit and moving to the left,
not including the start and stop characters and check digit.
data on the digit assigned even number. Calculate the total of these numbers.
Example:
To create a bar code for the data “ A938745343 B” ( should be a check digit.)
Number 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Bar code data 9 3 8 7 4 5 3 4 3

X X X X X X X X X
Weight 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
18 +3 +16 +7 +8 +5 +6 +4 +6 = 73
10 – 3 = 7 ··· Check digit
63
7 check DR (Codabar)
7 check DR is used to calculate the check digit for Codabar.
This section explains the rules and calculation method for using 7 check DR.
Rules
stop character).
Calculation method
1. Divide the bar code data by 7, not including the start and stop characters.
2. The remainder is the check digit.
Example:
8745343 ÷ 7 = 1249334 Remainder is 5. ··· Check digit
64
Weighted Modulus 11 (Codabar)

Weighted Modulus 11 is used to calculate the check digit for Codabar.
This section explains the rules and calculation method for using Weighted Modulus 11.
Rules
• Up to 12 digits are used to calculate Weighted Modulus 11, not including the start and stop
characters. Therefore, the bar code data should have 12 digits or less, not including the start and
stop characters. (If the bar code data has more than 12 digits, an error will result.)
stop character).
Calculation method
1. To calculate Weighted Modulus 11, the following 2 weight coefficient types are used.
Number 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Weight 1 6 3 5 9 10 7 8 4 5 3 6 2
Weight 2 5 8 6 2 10 4 3 7 6 8 5 9
2. Align the bar code data not including the start and stop characters with weight 1, flush to the
right. Then multiply each value by the value of weight 1.
3. Find the total of the above calculation.
5. When the remainder is a number other than 0 or 1, subtract the remainder from 11.
This value is the check digit.
When the remainder is 0, the check digit is 0.
6. When the remainder is 1, try another calculation using weight 2. Align the bar code data not
including the start and stop characters with weight 2, flush to the right.
Then multiply each value by the value of weight 2.
7. Find the total of the calculation in step 6.
9. When the remainder is a number other than 0, subtract the remainder from 11. This value is the
check digit.
When the remainder is 0, the check digit is 0.
65
Example 1:
Number 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Weight 1 6 3 5 9 10 7 8 4 5 3 6 2
X X X X X X X X X X
Data 5 0 1 2 9 2 4 3 4 6 Flush to the right
25 +0 +10 +14 +72 +8 +20 +9 +24 +12 = 194
194 ÷ 11 = 17 Remainder is 7.
11 – 7 = 4 ··· Check digit
Example 2:
To create a bar code for the data “ A0200290068 C” ( should be a check digit.)
Number 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Weight 1 6 3 5 9 10 7 8 4 5 3 6 2
X X X X X X X X X X
0 +18 +0 +0 +16 +36 +0 +0 +36 +16 = 122
122 ÷ 11 = 11 Remainder is 1.
Since the calculated remainder using weight 1 is 1, repeat the calculation using weight 2.
Number 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Weight 2 5 8 6 2 10 4 3 7 6 8 5 9
X X X X X X X X X X
0 +4 +0 +0 +6 +63 +0 +0 +30 +72 = 175
175 ÷ 11 = 15 Remainder is 10.

11 – 10 = 1 ··· Check digit
The completed bar code is “ A02002900681C”
66
Runes (Modulus 10/weight 2) (Codabar)

Runes is used to calculate the check digit for Codabar and is also called Modulus 10/ weight 2.
However, there are other calculation methods for Modulus 10/weight 2.
Check the current calculation method before setting the BL Series.
This section explains the rules and calculation method for using Runes.
Rules
stop character).
Calculation method
1. Assign a number to each bar code data, not including the start and stop characters and check
digit, beginning from the rightmost digit and moving to the left.
data on the digit assigned even number.
3. If the calculated value in step 2 has 2 digits, divide the digits and create two 1-digit numbers. Find
the total of these numbers.
Example:
Number 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Bar code data 9 3 8 7 4 5 3 4 3

X X X X X X X X X
Weight 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
18 3 16 7 8 5 6 4 6
1+8+3+1+6+7 +8 +5 +6 +4 +6 = 55
10 – 5 = 5 ··· Check digit
67
Modulus 103 (CODE 128)

Modulus 103 is used to calculate the check digit for CODE 128.
This section explains the rules and the calculation method for using Modulus 103.
Rules
• The check digit is placed next to the last character of the bar code data
(immediately before the stop character).
Calculation method
The CODE 128 character composition table in the following page shows the numeric values
(leftmost column of the table) corresponding to each data character (bar pattern). These values are
used for Modulus 103.
Selection of any one of the start codes provides three variations of character composition, even if
CODE 128 is composed of the same bar pattern. For Modulus 103 calculation, it is necessary to
understand all data characters including start code, function code and shift code.
1. Exchange all characters (including start code, function code and shift code), expert for the stop
code, with numbers according to the exchange table in the following page.
2. Multiply the start code by 1 and then multiply the following characters by the weight coefficient 1,
2, 3, 4 ... in serial order, to find the total of these numbers.
4. The character corresponding to the value of the remainder is the check digit.
Example:
To create a bar code for the data “[START C]•[FNC1]•12•34•56•[CODE B]•A•1• • [STOP]”
Data [START C] [FNC1] 12 34 56 [CODE B] A 1
105 102 12 34 56 100 33 17

X X X X X X X X
1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
=
=
=
105 +102 +24 +102 +224 +500 +198 +119 =1374
1374 ÷ 103 = 13 Remainder is 35.

35 C ··· Check digit
The completed bar code is “[START C]•[FNC1]•12•34•56•[CODE B]•A•1•C•[STOP]” .
68
Numerical CODE CODE CODE Numerical CODE CODE CODE

value Bar pattern value Bar pattern
A B C A B C
0 SP SP 00 54 V V 54
1 ! ! 01 55 W W 55
2 " " 02 56 X X 56
3 # # 03 57 Y Y 57
4 $ $ 04 58 Z Z 58
5 % % 05 59 [ [ 59
6 & & 06 60 \ \ 60
7 ' ' 07 61 ] ] 61
8 ( ( 08 62 ^ ^ 62
9 ) ) 09 63 _ _ 63
10 * * 10 64 NUL ` 64
11 + + 11 65 SOH a 65
12 , , 12 66 STX b 66
13 - - 13 67 ETX c 67
14 . . 14 68 EOT d 68
15 / / 15 69 ENQ e 69
16 0 0 16 70 ACK f 70
17 1 1 17 71 BEL g 71
18 2 2 18 72 BS h 72
19 3 3 19 73 HT i 73
20 4 4 20 74 LF j 74
21 5 5 21 75 VT k 75
22 6 6 22 76 FF l 76
23 7 7 23 77 CR m 77
24 8 8 24 78 SO n 78
25 9 9 25 79 SI o 79
26 : : 26 80 DLE p 80
27 ; ; 27 81 DC1 q 81
28 < < 28 82 DC2 r 82
29 = = 29 83 DC3 s 83
30 > > 30 84 DC4 t 84
31 ? ? 31 85 NAK u 85
32 @ @ 32 86 SYN v 86
33 A A 33 87 ETB w 87
34 B B 34 88 CAN x 88
35 C C 35 89 EM y 89
36 D D 36 90 SUB z 90
37 E E 37 91 ESC { 91
38 F F 38 92 FS | 92
39 G G 39 93 GS } 93
40 H H 40 94 RS ~ 94
41 I I 41 95 US DEL 95
42 J J 42 96 FNC 3 FNC 3 96
43 K K 43 97 FNC 2 FNC 2 97
44 L L 44 98 SHIFT SHIFT 98
45 M M 45 99 CODE C CODE C 99
46 N N 46 100 CODE B FNC 4 CODE B
47 O O 47 101 FNC 4 CODE A CODE A
48 P P 48 102 FNC 1 FNC 1 FNC 1
49 Q Q 49 103 START(CODE A)
50 R R 50 104 START(CODE B)
51 S S 51 105 START(CODE C)
52 T T 52
53 U U 53 STOP
69
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order to safely operate any KEYENCE product.
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KEYENCE CORPORATION OF AMERICA KEYENCE CANADA INC. KEYENCE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.
500 Park Boulevard, Suite 200, Itasca, IL 60143, U.S.A. PHONE: +1-201-930-0100 FAX: +1-855-539-0123 E-mail: keyencecanada@keyence.com E-mail: keyencemexico@keyence.com
The information in this publication is based on KEYENCE’s internal research/evaluation at the time of release and is subject to change without notice. Company and product names mentioned in this catalog are either trademarks or registered trademarks KA11-1017
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Barcode Handbook: Barcode Type Selection Guide

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What are the main types of barcodes discussed in the document?

What are the main types of barcodes discussed in the document?

What are some of the features of CODE 128 barcodes?

What are some of the features of CODE 128 barcodes?

Barcode Handbook

Barcode Type Selection Guide

Appendix 1 Bar Code Length List

Appendix 2 Check Digit Calculation

2 2-2 EAN Data Composition

3 2-4-3 Features of EAN Bar Composition

4 3-1-1 ITF Composition

3-1-3 ITF Features 25

1-1 Basics of Bar Code

1 Bar code length

Bar code height

Start character Data (message) Check digit Stop character

Quiet zone (margin)

Bar code length

Bar code height

1-1-2 Narrow Bar and Wide Bar

Narrow and wide widths are determined at the following ratio:

NB : WB = NS : WS = 1 : 2.5 (Recommended ratio)

• If the narrow width is large:

1-1-3 Binary Level and Multiple Level

1 and wide widths. It is named the “binary level” bar code.

1-1-4 What Is Check Digit?

Bar code with data “123”

Comparing the check • The calculated check digit is compared with

1 Number the code value sequentially starting from the right.

Thus, the check digit is calculated to be 7.

Name EAN, UPC ITF CODE 39 CODABAR CODE 128

2-1 EAN Code and POS System

* EAN=European Article Number

This is Japanese OO Company’s Emollient shampoo.

2-1-2 POS System

Good sales have been enjoyed Understanding

2) Stock and purchase management

3) Understanding consumer trend

2-2 EAN Data Composition

[2 digits] [5 digits] [5 digits]

Standard type [13 digits]

Product item code

TOPIC EAN manufacturer code will be changed to 7 digits.

The following shows the composition of the total digits: 2

Country Manufacturer Product Check digit

Manufacturer code with 7 digits 456000000 to 459999999

Country code list

2-2-2 Source Marking and In-store Marking

The bar code with in-store

2-2-3 Standard Size and Magnification

Magnification 0.8 1.0 1.2 2.0

Bar code length

Bar code height

2-3 Applications in Other Industries

2-3-1 EAN Code of Books

ISBN 4 - 12345 - 123 - 3

A flag (192) to identify Classification Price

and the price code ISBN 4 - 12345 - 123 - 3 ISBN

2-4 EAN Composition

Comparing the check • The calculated check digit is compared with

• COOP “2 of 5” ............................. This code is used in consumer’s cooperative (co-op) organization