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Codabar

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Codabar is a linear, one-dimensional barcode symbology. It was developed in 1972 by the Pitney Bowes Corporation, initially for retail and logistics applications. It gained popularity for its ease of use and production on standard printers, including dot matrix printers.

Codabar barcodes are also known as Code 2 of 7, USD 4, Codabar, Monarch, Ames Code Code 2 of 7, Rationalized Codabar, and ANSI/AIM BC3-1995. In Japan, Codabar is known as NW-7 .

Codabar barcodes are used in applications where a serial number is required. These include labeling goods in retail, identifying samples and patient records in healthcare, marking books in libraries, and labeling packages in logistics.

A Codabar barcode can only encode 16 characters, including 10 numerical characters (0-9), four letter characters (A, B, C, D), and a limited number of special characters (–$:/.+). This makes the Codabar unsuitable for encoding large amounts of data. However, a Codabar is large and easy to self-scan even when printed on a standard printer.

Characteristics of a Codabar barcode

  • A linear 1D barcode used for labeling and tracking items.
  • Can encode 16 characters, including 10 numerical characters (0-9), four letter characters (A, B, C, D), and a limited number of special characters (–$:/.+).
  • Supports variable length data content.
  • Error checking relies on the accuracy of start and stop characters.
  • The first and last symbols (the guard patterns) are one of A, B, C, or D.
  • Enforces strict standard adherence to eliminate false positives in blurry, irregular or damaged barcodes, but at the cost of reduced scan performance.
  • Is defined in the AIM-BC3-2000 Uniform Symbology Specification.

Codabar application areas

The Codabar’s ease of use makes it popular in a broad range of applications and industries, for example:

  • Healthcare: For patient, blood bag, and specimen identification.
  • Libraries: For book labeling and tracking.
  • Retail: For product labeling and inventory management.
  • Logistics: For labeling and tracking shipments.

Codabar compatibility

A wide variety of devices, including mobile devices and dedicated barcode scanners, can read Codabar barcodes. All scanners, however, rely on Codabar scanning software integrated within an app.

Scanning software performance varies widely, and it can sometimes be an issue with Codabar readers, particularly when free or open-source software is being used.

Scandit’s fast, robust barcode scanning software supports all major barcode types, including Codabar with exceptional performance.

Scandit’s software also supports all major operating systems, programming languages, frameworks, 3rd party systems and OEM devices including React Native, Native iOS, Native Android, JavaScript, Xamarin, Flutter, .NET (iOS and Android), Cordova, Capacitor, Titanium, IBM MobileFirst, SAP Fiori and Oracle Xstore.

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Codabar FAQs

What are Codabar barcodes?

Codabar barcodes are linear 1D barcodes that identify and track items requiring a serial number. They are self-scanning and easily produced on many printers, including dot code printers.

What characters can Codabar barcodes encode?

Codabar barcodes can encode 16 characters, including 10 numerical characters, four letter characters (A, B, C, D), and a limited number of special characters (–$:/.+).

Where are Codabar barcodes commonly used?

Codabars are most commonly used to identify and track items, for example, in retail (labeling goods), healthcare (patient, blood, and specimen identification), libraries (labeling books), and logistics (labeling packages and shipments).

Is Codabar still used?

Codabar codes are still used today because of their ease of use and readability. However, some consider them outdated, as newer codes (such as Code 128 and the EAN barcode) can store much more data in a smaller space.

What are the guard patterns in Codabar?

The guard pattern indicates where the barcode begins and ends. One of the letter characters (A, B, C, or D) forms the guard pattern of a Codabar as the first and last symbols.

How does Codabar support variable length data?

Codabar is a variable-length barcode. This means it supports variable-length data using a limited character set and stop and start characters (A, B, C, D).

The number of symbols measures the length of data encoded in variable-length symbologies such as Codabar. The number of symbols corresponds to the number of digits in the code, plus the start and end symbols. (Example: the code “A2334253D” has a symbol count of 7 + 2 = 9.)

Is there a standard checksum algorithm for Codabar?

A checksum is a value that is calculated from a dataset to detect data changes or errors. There is no universally agreed standard checksum algorithm for Codabar. However, some industries, such as libraries, adopt their own checksum standards.

What is the width ratio for Codabar barcodes?

Codabars are made up of bars and spaces with two widths (narrow and wide). The ratio between narrow and wide widths is between 1:2.25 and 1:3. The ratio of narrow to wide bars in a Codabar can be selected within this range.

Are there any limitations to using Codabar?

The main limitation with using Codabar is data capacity. It can only encode 16 characters including 10 numerical characters (0-9), four letter characters (A, B, C, D) and a limited set of special characters (–$:/.+). This makes the Codabar barcode unsuitable for encoding complex data.

Codabars also have a minimal tolerance for damage or distortion. Even minor damage can make data decoding difficult. A Codabar increases in length, the more data is required. This makes the labeling of smaller items challenging.