When sourcing a barcode scanner, a key detail many people miss is the barcode symbology it supports. Different industries use different symbologies, so knowing them helps buyers and developers pick the right scanner.
Barcode symbology is the set of rules that tells a barcode how to show data using bars, spaces, or dots. It is like a language that a barcode scanner must understand to read and decode the information.
Each symbology defines:
In addition, successful scanning also depends on physical parameters, especially
The width of the narrowest bar or space, which directly impacts barcode density and readability.
The clear space around the barcode, which acts like punctuation, telling the scanner where the barcode begins and ends.
In practice, unreadable barcodes often result from insufficient quiet zones or overly fine bar widths.
If you’re putting together a barcode system, it really pays to know the main types of barcode scanner symbologies. Some are common barcode symbologies for retail, such as UPC or EAN. Others are 2D codes that pack in way more data, making them a go-to in healthcare, logistics, and electronics.
All in all, most barcode scanner symbologies fall into just two buckets:
1D barcodes are the classics—the oldest and still the most widely used type. They show data through a mix of black bars and white spaces of different widths. The design is simple, so they’re quick to print, easy to scan, and work well in high-volume retail and logistics.
UPC-A / EAN-13
Standard retail barcodes for product identification at checkout.
Code 39
Encodes letters and numbers, widely used in industrial and defense.
Code 128
High data density, common in logistics, healthcare, and shipping.
GS1-128
Supply chain standard for batch, date, and tracking information.
ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5)
Durable and scannable on corrugated packaging, ideal for logistics.
2D barcodes step things up by using grids of squares, dots, or shapes in both directions. They can pack a lot more data into a tiny space—things like text, numbers, website links, or even files.
QR Code
Can hold a lot of data and even link to websites. You’ll see it everywhere in payments, marketing, and mobile scanning.
Data Matrix
Compact with strong error correction, used in electronics and pharmaceuticals.
PDF417
Great for storing long text or even images. Often shows up on IDs, boarding passes, and shipping labels.
GS1 2D Barcodes
Big in global supply chains. GS1 DataMatrix is often used in healthcare and pharma to keep track of products, while GS1 QR Code works with GS1 Digital Link so a product can point straight to online info.
Regardless of the barcode type, scanners follow the same core steps:
The scanner detects the barcode by collecting either reflected light (in laser/CCD models) or a full image (in camera-based models).
Decoding software applies the rules of the symbology, analyzing elements such as line width, spacing, or modules.
The decoded data is delivered as usable information, often in the form of a product ID, batch code, or URL.
However, barcode scanners are also divided into 1D and 2D models, and their working principles differ accordingly.
Principle: 1D barcode scanners (like laser or CCD scanners) read the widths and gaps between black lines and white spaces.
Technology:
Laser scanners sweep a laser beam across the code, and a photodiode detects the reflected light intensity to measure bar and space widths.
CCD scanners use an array of light sensors that capture reflected light in a straight line.
Features: Affordable and easy to use, suitable for retail checkout, libraries, and warehouses. However, they only read data in one direction, support limited data, and require alignment.
Recommended Reading: 1D vs. 2D Barcode Scanners
Principle: 2D scanners are usually imaging-based. They capture the entire pattern (squares, dots, modules) with a camera sensor.
Technology:
Features:
Works with both 1D and 2D barcodes, so it can be used in more places. Reads from any angle, handles more data, and scans QR codes straight off a screen without trouble. A good fit for POS systems, hospitals, asset management, manufacturing, transport kiosks, and self-service terminals.
For buyers and tech decision-makers, picking the right barcode scanner symbology usually comes down to three things:
For example, healthcare often uses Data Matrix to meet FDA UDI rules, while retail leans on UPC/EAN for global product IDs.
If you need to pack in more info, go with 2D codes like QR or Data Matrix.
Old-school 1D scanners can’t read QR or Data Matrix, but most 2D scanners handle both. Always double-check that the device you buy supports the symbologies you need.
Getting barcode symbology right is key to choosing the right hardware and labels. In retail, manufacturing, healthcare, or logistics, the type of barcode you go with will shape accuracy, compliance, and overall efficiency.
Scan QR, DataMatrix, and more — discover the right 2D scanner for your business.
Q1: Which type of barcode is commonly used in retail?
A1: In retail, the most common barcodes are UPC and EAN, both part of the GS1 system. They’re used worldwide because they scan fast, work reliably, and keep product IDs consistent across stores and countries.
Q2: How can I check which barcode symbologies my scanner supports?
A2: Look at the scanner’s datasheet or product specs. Most 2D scanners support both 1D and 2D barcode symbologies, while older 1D scanners can only read linear barcodes.
Q3: Which barcode symbology is best for healthcare applications?
A3: Healthcare often requires GS1 DataMatrix for FDA UDI compliance, as it ensures accurate traceability and anti-counterfeiting.
Q4: Can a 1D barcode scanner read QR codes or Data Matrix codes?
A4: No. 1D scanners cannot decode 2D codes. You’ll need a 2D imaging scanner to read QR, Data Matrix, or PDF417.
