EAN, UPC, Code 128 and QR: which barcode type do you use for what?

"Barcode" is an umbrella term: dozens of symbologies hide behind that word, each with its own purpose. If you make your own labels or set up a scanning process, you only need to know a handful. These are the types you'll meet most often in retail and logistics.

The linear codes (1D)

EAN-13 and EAN-8

The standard on consumer products in Europe. EAN-13 encodes 13 digits, the last of which is a check digit: an arithmetic check over the other twelve. EAN-8 is the compact variant for small packaging. The numbers are issued centrally through GS1, giving every product a globally unique number.

UPC-A

The American counterpart of EAN-13, with 12 digits and likewise a check digit. Scanners and systems treat UPC-A and EAN-13 almost identically; an EAN-13 starting with 0 is technically equal to a UPC-A.

Code 128

The workhorse of logistics. Code 128 encodes not just digits but also letters and punctuation, and is compact enough for shipping labels, location labels and internal references. GS1-128 (formerly EAN-128), which you see on cases and pallets carrying data such as batch numbers and best-before dates, is technically a Code 128 as well.

Code 39 and ITF-14

Code 39 is an older alphanumeric code still common in industry and healthcare. ITF-14 encodes 14 digits and often appears on outer cases — recognisable by its thick black bearer bars.

The matrix codes (2D)

QR code

Holds a lot of data (up to thousands of characters), reads from any angle and has built-in error correction, so a damaged code often still scans.

Data Matrix

The compact 2D code for small parts — electronics, medical instruments, pharmaceutical packaging. Like QR, it includes error correction.

Why the check digit matters for your scanning process

The check digit in EAN and UPC is not decoration: it makes a mis-read detectable. If a scanner reads one digit wrong, the checksum no longer adds up and the code can be rejected. ScanVerify uses this actively: EAN-13, EAN-8 and UPC-A are validated against their check digit on every scan, and codes without a check digit (such as many Code 128 applications) are only accepted after a silent double confirmation across two camera frames. A misread code never reaches your records — more on this in Barcode scanning and verification in the warehouse.

Which code should you pick for your own labels?

• Digits only, product for retail sale → EAN-13 (issued through GS1).
• Internal references with letters and digits → Code 128: compact and universally readable.
• Lots of data or tiny labels → QR or Data Matrix.
• In doubt → for internal logistics, Code 128 is almost always a safe choice.

Frequently asked questions

Which barcodes can ScanVerify read?

All common 1D and 2D codes, with the camera or a hardware scanner. EAN and UPC codes get additional check-digit validation.

Does the code type affect verification?

No. Verification against the expected list — expected, unexpected or duplicate — works the same for every code type. The list defines what is expected, not the symbology.

What's the difference between GS1-128 and Code 128?

GS1-128 is a convention on top of Code 128: the same bars, but with standardised data fields (Application Identifiers) such as batch number and date. Hardware scanners sometimes prepend a prefix for these; ScanVerify strips it automatically.