Not all barcodes do the same job. A code that works perfectly on a supermarket shelf can be the wrong choice for a pharmaceutical batch, an asset tag, or a shipping label.
Choosing the right barcode format isn’t a design detail — it’s what determines whether your labels scan reliably, hold the right amount of data, and fit the equipment reading them.
Barcodes fall into two broad categories:
1D (linear) barcodes, like EAN, UPC, Code 128, Code 39, Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF), and Codabar, which store a limited amount of data as a series of parallel lines and are typically used for retail products, logistics, cartons, and sequential numbering; and 2D (matrix) barcodes, like QR Codes, Data Matrix, and PDF417, which store significantly more data in a compact square or rectangular pattern and are used for anything from marketing links to product traceability and healthcare identification. The right choice depends on how much data you need to store, what’s scanning it, and how much space is available on the label.
1D (Linear) Barcodes
Linear barcodes are the format most people picture when they think “barcode” — a series of vertical black lines and white spaces, read by a laser or linear scanner. They’re limited in how much data they can hold (usually a string of numbers or a short alphanumeric code), which makes them fast to scan and cheap to print, but unsuitable for anything requiring rich or unique per-unit data.
EAN (European Article Number) / UPC (Universal Product Code)
The standard retail barcode. Every product sold at point of sale needs a unique EAN or UPC, which is why these formats dominate supermarket shelves and retail distribution. EAN and UPC aren’t single formats but small families, and which variant you need depends on the product and the region it’s sold in:
- EAN-13 — the standard 13-digit barcode used across Europe and most of the world for retail products. If a product is sold on a UK or European shelf, this is almost always the format required.
- EAN-8 — a shortened 8-digit version used where label space is very limited, such as on small packaging like cosmetics or confectionery, where a full EAN-13 wouldn’t physically fit.
- UPC-A — the 12-digit standard used predominantly in the United States and Canada. Functionally similar to EAN-13, but with a different digit structure, so it’s assigned separately.
Because EAN and UPC numbers are unique product identifiers, they’re issued through GS1 rather than generated freely — a business needs a registered GS1 prefix before a compliant code can be produced. Typical use: retail product identification, point-of-sale scanning, small packaging (EAN-8).
Code 128
A high-density linear barcode capable of encoding the full ASCII character set, making it more flexible than EAN/UPC. Widely used in logistics and shipping because it can encode longer, mixed alphanumeric strings. Typical use: shipping labels, logistics, warehouse tracking, sequential serial numbers.
Code 39
An older, simpler linear format, still common in industries that value straightforward scanning over data density — particularly where legacy systems are already built around it. Typical use: automotive, defence, and industrial applications with established Code 39 infrastructure.
Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF)
A compact, numeric-only linear barcode that encodes digits in pairs, making it denser than Code 39 for pure numeric data. Its compact structure is well suited to printing directly onto corrugated cardboard, where ink spread can make finer barcodes harder to scan. Typical use: outer cartons, pallet labels, and distribution packaging in warehousing and logistics.
Codabar
An older linear format, still in active use in a small number of specific sectors where systems were built around it early on and haven’t migrated away. Typical use: blood bank and lab sample labelling, libraries, and some courier/parcel tracking systems.
2D (Matrix) Barcodes
2D barcodes store data both horizontally and vertically, packing far more information into a much smaller space than a linear barcode — and, in most cases, remaining scannable even if part of the code is damaged or obscured.
QR Code
The most recognisable 2D barcode, capable of storing URLs, plain text, contact details, and more, and readable by any smartphone camera without a dedicated scanner. Because they can be scanned by the general public rather than only warehouse-grade equipment, QR codes sit at the intersection of logistics and marketing. Typical use: marketing campaigns, packaging traceability, product information links, contactless menus, ticketing.
QR codes have become common enough that they deserve their own explanation — we’ll be covering the history of the QR code and how it went from a Japanese automotive parts tracking system to a global standard in a dedicated article. This piece focuses on where and why you’d choose one.
Data Matrix
A compact 2D format that can store a meaningful amount of data in a very small physical footprint — often smaller than a QR code could achieve with the same content. This makes it the standard choice where label space is at a premium. Typical use: pharmaceutical serialisation, electronics component marking, small asset tags.
PDF417
A stacked linear format capable of storing large amounts of data, including small images or signatures, commonly used where a single code needs to carry a significant amount of structured information. Typical use: ID cards, boarding passes, shipping and logistics documentation.
How to Choose the Right Barcode
Three questions usually settle it:
- How much data needs to be encoded? A simple product number fits comfortably in a linear barcode. A batch code, expiry date, and serial number together generally need a 2D format.
- What’s doing the scanning? Warehouse-grade laser scanners read linear barcodes efficiently. If the barcode also needs to be scanned by a customer’s smartphone, a QR code is the only sensible option.
- How much space is on the label? 2D barcodes pack more data into less space, which matters on small components, asset tags, or crowded label designs.
In many cases, the answer isn’t a single barcode — it’s a linear code for internal tracking and a QR code for the customer-facing side of the same label.
Frequently Asked Questions On Choosing The Right Barcode
What’s the difference between a 1D and a 2D barcode?
A 1D (linear) barcode stores data in a single horizontal line and holds a limited amount of information. A 2D (matrix) barcode, like a QR code or Data Matrix, stores data both horizontally and vertically, allowing it to hold significantly more information in the same or smaller space.
Is a QR code the same as a barcode?
A QR code is a type of barcode — specifically, a 2D matrix barcode. The term “barcode” covers both linear formats like EAN and Code 128, and 2D formats like QR codes and Data Matrix.
Which barcode is best for retail products?
EAN or UPC, as these are the standard formats required for point-of-sale scanning across retail systems.
What’s the difference between EAN-13, EAN-8, and UPC?
EAN-13 is the standard 13-digit retail barcode used across Europe and most of the world. EAN-8 is a shortened 8-digit version used on small packaging where a full EAN-13 won’t fit. UPC-A is the 12-digit equivalent used mainly in the US and Canada. All three require a registered GS1 prefix to generate a compliant code.
What barcode should I use on shipping cartons or pallets?
Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF) is commonly used for outer cartons and pallet labels, as its compact, numeric-only structure prints reliably on corrugated cardboard.
Which barcode holds the most data?
Among common formats, PDF417 and Data Matrix can hold large amounts of structured data, while QR codes offer a strong balance of data capacity and universal smartphone readability.
Can barcodes be scanned if the label is damaged?
2D barcodes such as QR codes and Data Matrix include built-in error correction, meaning they can often still be read even if part of the code is obscured or damaged. Linear barcodes have far less tolerance for damage.
Do I need different barcodes for different parts of my supply chain?
Often, yes. It’s common to use a linear barcode like Code 128 for internal warehouse and logistics tracking, and a QR code on the same or a related label for customer-facing information.
Getting the Right Barcode Format Printed Correctly
Choosing the right format is only half the job — it also needs to be produced to a standard that scans reliably every time, at whatever volume your operation needs. That’s where a lot of barcode labels fall down: printed off-line, at low resolution, or without verification, they may look fine and still fail at the scanner.
At Scanman UK, barcode printing — linear or 2D, including QR codes — is built directly into our production process. We print inline on high-speed, 6-colour flexographic presses at up to 70 metres per minute and 600dpi, with every code verified for scan accuracy as part of production, not as an afterthought. Whether you need a single consistent barcode across a static product range or unique, sequential codes generated from your own data, it’s produced and dispatched as a complete, ready-to-apply label — no printers or in-house equipment required on your side.
You can see our full barcode and variable data capability, including the formats we support and our production capacity, on our Barcode Labels & Variable Data page.
Not sure if your current barcodes are performing as they should?
Our team can carry out a full Barcode Label Audit to review scan performance, durability, and compliance — and give you clear, practical recommendations to reduce errors and protect your operation.
