Choosing the right barcode format saves time, avoids scanning errors, and prevents costly reprints. This guide covers the five most common formats and when to use each one.

EAN-13

EAN-13 is the standard for retail products sold globally. It encodes a 13-digit number that includes a country or company prefix, a product reference, and a check digit.

Use EAN-13 when:

  • You are selling products through retail stores or online marketplaces.
  • Your supply chain uses GS1-issued company prefixes.
  • You need compatibility with point-of-sale scanners worldwide.

GS1 barcode numbers must be obtained separately from GS1 before using EAN-13 for retail trade.

UPC-A

UPC-A is the North American equivalent of EAN-13. It encodes 12 digits and is widely used in the United States and Canada.

Use UPC-A when:

  • Your primary market is the United States or Canada.
  • Retailers or distributors specifically require UPC-A barcodes.

EAN-13 scanners can read UPC-A barcodes, so both formats are broadly compatible at modern checkout systems.

Code 128

Code 128 encodes the full ASCII character set and supports variable-length data. It produces compact barcodes and is common in shipping, logistics, and internal labelling.

Use Code 128 when:

  • You need to encode alphanumeric data such as serial numbers or batch codes.
  • You are labelling packages, boxes, or pallets for a supply chain.
  • You do not require a globally registered product identifier.

Code 39

Code 39 is an older alphanumeric format that is simple to implement but produces wider barcodes than Code 128.

Use Code 39 when:

  • You are working with legacy systems that require it.
  • The label or tag has enough space for a wider barcode.
  • You need basic alphanumeric encoding without special character support.

For new implementations, Code 128 is usually the better choice.

QR Code

QR codes store significantly more data than linear barcodes and can be scanned with a smartphone camera.

Use QR codes when:

  • You want to link a label to a URL, product page, or document.
  • You are encoding large amounts of text or structured data.
  • Consumer scanning with a phone is part of the workflow.

QR codes are less suitable for automated high-speed scanning at point of sale.

Choosing in practice

Format Data type Typical use
EAN-13 13-digit numeric Retail products globally
UPC-A 12-digit numeric Retail products in North America
Code 128 Alphanumeric Shipping, logistics, internal labels
Code 39 Alphanumeric Legacy systems
QR Code Large data, URLs Consumer links, documents

If you are unsure, start with Code 128 for internal workflows and EAN-13 for retail distribution.