GS1 DataBar barcode FAQ

What is GS1 DataBar, character set, barcode symbol structure, barcode dimension size,deocde & read GS1 DataBar barcodes

GS1 DataBar is a family of linear symbologies used within the GS1 system. There are three types of GS1 DataBar symbols, two of which have a number of variations optimised for different application requirements.

The first type has four variations (GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional, GS1 DataBar Truncated, GS1 DataBar Stacked and GS1 DataBar Stacked Omnidirectional) and encodes AI (01) in a linear symbol.

The second type comprises only one variation namely GS1 DataBar Limited which encodes AI (01) in a linear symbol for use on small items that will not be scanned in an omnidirectional scanning environment.

The third type has two variations; a single row variation (GS1 DataBar Expanded) and a multi-row stacked variation (GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked). Both variations encode GS1 system primary item identification plus supplementary AI element strings, such as weight and "best before" date.

The GS1 DataBar family is fully specified in ISO/IEC 24724 standard.

The GS1 DataBar family:

• GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional
• GS1 DataBar Truncated
• GS1 DataBar Stacked
• GS1 DataBar Stacked Omnidirectional
• GS1 DataBar Limited
• GS1 DataBar Expanded
• GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked

The basic characteristics of GS1 DataBar barcode are:

• Encodable character set:
  • GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional, GS1 DataBar Truncated, GS1 DataBar Stacked, GS1 DataBar Stacked Omnidirectional and GS1 DataBar Limited: Digits 0 through 9 (with the restriction of GS1 DataBar Limited to 0 or 1 in the first digit):
  • GS1 DataBar Expanded variations: Only the subset of ISO/IEC 646 defined in the GS1 General Specifications be used for GS1 Application Identifier (AI) element strings.:
• Code type: Continuous, linear barcode symbology.
• Maximum numeric data capacity:
  • All GS1 DataBar symbols except the expanded versions: AI (01) plus a 14-digit numeric item identification.
  • GS1 DataBar Expanded variations: 74 numeric or 41 alphabetic characters.
• Check digit calculator:
  • GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional, GS1 DataBar Truncated, GS1 DataBar Stacked and GS1 DataBar Stacked Omnidirectional: mod 79 checksum
  • GS1 DataBar Limited: mod 89 checksum
  • GS1 DataBar Expanded variations: mod 211 checksum
• Character self-checking: yes
• Quiet Zones: None required.

Each GS1 DataBar symbol contains outside guard patterns, symbol characters, and finder patterns. Every symbol includes a method for error detection.

An GS1 DataBar symbol consists of eight regions (from left to right) comprising 96 modules:

1. a one module space and one module bar left guard pattern
2. four spaces and four bars with 16 modules comprising data character 1, (n,k) = (16,4)
3. three spaces and two bars with 15 modules comprising the left finder pattern
4. four bars and four spaces with 15 modules comprising data character 2, (n,k) = (15,4) (right to left)
5. four bars and four spaces with 15 modules comprising data character 4, (n,k) = (15,4)
6. three bars and two spaces with 15 modules comprising the right finder pattern (right to left)
7. four spaces and four bars with 16 modules comprising data character 3, (n,k) = (16,4) (right to left)
8. a one module space and one module bar right guard pattern

GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional

The GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional barcode is designed to be read by an omnidirectional scanner, such as a retail slot scanner.

Its dimensions are 96X wide, starting with a 1X space and ending with a 1X bar, by 33X high (where X is the width of a module). 33X is the minimum height of the symbol but the actual height of the symbol used depends on the specific application requirements.

GS1 DataBar Truncated

The GS1 DataBar Truncated barcode is a reduced height variation of the GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional barcode that is designed for small items that will not need to be read by omnidirectional scanners.

Its dimensions are 96X wide by 13X high (where X is the width of a module).

GS1 DataBar Stacked

The GS1 DataBar Stacked barcode is a reduced height two-row variation of the GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional barcode that is designed for small items that will not need to be read by omnidirectional scanners.

Its dimensions are 50X wide by 13X high (where X is the width of a module).

GS1 DataBar Stacked Omnidirectional

The GS1 DataBar Stacked Omnidirectional barcode is a full height, two-row variation of the GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional barcode that is designed to be read by an omnidirectional scanner, such as a retail slot scanner.

Its dimensions are 50X wide by 69X high (where X is the width of a module). 69X is the minimum height of the symbol but the actual height of the symbol used depends on the specific application requirements.

GS1 DataBar Limited

The GS1 DataBar Limited barcode is designed for small items that will not need to be read by omnidirectional point-of-sale (POS) scanners.

Its dimensions are 79X wide, starting with a 1X space and ending with a 5X space, by 10X high (where X is the width of a module).

GS1 DataBar Expanded

The GS1 DataBar Expanded barcode has a variable width (from 4 to 22 symbol characters, or a minimum of 102X wide and a maximum of 534X wide) and is 34X high (where X is the width of a module). The symbol starts with a 1X space and ends with either a 1X bar or space.

GS1 DataBar Expanded Symbol Structure


A sample GS1 DataBar Expanded barcode

GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked

The GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked barcode is a multi-row stacked variation of GS1 DataBar Expanded. It can be printed in widths of 2 to 20 segments and can have from 2 to 11 rows. Its structure includes a 3X high separator pattern between rows. It is designed to be read by an omnidirectional scanner such as a retail slot scanner.