Postal Numeric Encoding Technique (POSTNET)âThe United States Postal Service directs mail and flags errors with POSTNET barcodes. This high-density design encodes a large amount of data in a tiny area, making it ideal for small items. These codes accelerate checkout, streamline inventory processes and allow for product tracking from production to distribution.Įuropean Article Numbering (EAN)âThe EAN symbology is similar to the UPC, but itâs used primarily in Europe.
#BARCODE TYPES CODE#
Universal Product Code (UPC)â≌onsumers in the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia are accustomed to seeing the UPC on products at the supermarket and other retail environments. Todayâs most commonly used numeric barcode formats include: 1D formats use the original linear barcode design with parallel lines in varying widths and varying amounts of space between lines. These codes fall within two broad categories: one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D).Ĭlassic 1D barcodes for retail, tracking and inventoryġD barcodes can be further divided into two subtypes â those designed to encode solely numeric data and those designed to encode both letters and numbers. However, only roughly 30 barcode formats â also called symbologies â are widely in use. Today, there are hundreds of barcode configurations and virtually limitless applications for them. Much has changed since the invention of the simple linear barcode over 70 years ago. The barcodes that shape modern retail were inspired by Morse code. But the variety of formats these codes come in and the different purposes they serve? Itâs something many of us probably havenât spent much time pondering. Find out in this quick read which barcode formats are used most frequently and whyīarcodes are everywhere we look â on ads, supermarket items, packages, letters, tickets, and boarding passes.