Barcode Types Explained: CODE128, EAN-13, UPC-A and More
A clear guide to the common barcode symbologies — what CODE128, EAN-13, UPC-A and CODE39 are for, what data each holds, and how to pick the right one.
Published August 21, 2026 · LinkQRPro
“Barcode” is not one format but a family of symbologies, each with its own rules about what characters it can hold and where it is used. Picking the right one matters: a retail scanner expects a specific type, and using the wrong symbology means the code will not slot into the system it is meant for. Here is what the common types are for.
EAN-13 and UPC-A: retail products
EAN-13 (13 digits, used worldwide) and UPC-A (12 digits, common in North America) are the barcodes on retail packaging. They encode a standardised product number issued through GS1, so they work with point-of-sale systems everywhere. Use these when your product is sold through retail and needs a globally recognised identifier.
CODE128: shipping and logistics
CODE128 is a high-density symbology that encodes the full set of ASCII characters — letters, numbers and symbols. It is compact and reliable, which is why it dominates shipping labels, logistics and internal tracking. If you need to encode an alphanumeric reference like an order ID or AWB number, CODE128 is usually the right choice.
CODE39 and others
- CODE39: an older alphanumeric format still used in some industrial and ID applications; less dense than CODE128.
- ITF-14: used on outer shipping cartons to encode the packaging level of a retail item.
- CODE128 vs QR: for long or complex data read by a phone camera, a QR code is often a better fit than any linear barcode.
How to choose
- Selling in retail? Use EAN-13 or UPC-A with a GS1-issued number.
- Tracking shipments or internal items with letters and numbers? Use CODE128.
- Encoding a URL or lots of data for phone scanning? Use a QR code instead.
The free LinkQRPro barcode generator supports CODE128, EAN-13, UPC-A and more, with a live preview and a high-resolution download. For product identifiers, always generate from the exact number issued to you so the code matches your records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which barcode type should I use for a shipping label?
CODE128 is the usual choice for shipping and logistics because it encodes letters and numbers compactly and scans reliably. Marketplace couriers generate these for you on the label itself.
Can I make my own EAN-13 for a product?
You can generate the barcode image from a number, but for retail sale the number itself must be issued through GS1 so it is unique and recognised at checkouts. Generating a random EAN-13 will not register as your product.
What is the difference between CODE128 and a QR code?
CODE128 is a one-dimensional barcode for short alphanumeric data read by a laser scanner; a QR code is two-dimensional, holds far more, and is designed for camera scanning.