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This guide breaks down the two main families of 1D and 2D barcodes, their standardised formats, the scanners matched to each use case and the selection criteria by industry. You will find a comparison table, a decision matrix by professional environment and the ISO and GS1 standards that govern each format.
What is a barcode? Definition and reading principle
A barcode is a machine-readable optical representation of data, encoded as bars and spaces (1D) or two-dimensional patterns (2D). A scanner lights up the code, captures the reflected contrast, and converts the signal into alphanumeric characters. The foundational standard is ISO/IEC 15420:2009 for linear symbologies.
Barcodes date back to 1949, when Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver filed the first US patent covering a circular pattern read by photodetector. Patent US 2,612,994 was granted in October 1952. It was not until June 1974, at a Marsh Supermarkets store in Troy (Ohio), that a pack of Wrigley chewing gum became the first product ever scanned at a UPC-A till.
Today, more than 6 billion GS1 barcode scans are logged every day worldwide, according to the GS1 General Specifications v25.0. The technology has diversified into two main families: historic 1D linear codes and high-density 2D matrix codes, adopted massively since 2020 for product traceability, Unique Device Identification (UDI) in healthcare and mobile payments.
How does a scanner physically decode a code? The scanner emits light (LED, laser or image sensor), measures the dark and light zones reflected back, then matches the sequence against a lookup table defined by the symbology in use. A bar absorbs light, a space reflects it: the width combination, decoded according to the format's standard, returns the associated alphanumeric character.
1D and 2D barcodes: what is the difference?
A 1D barcode encodes information horizontally on a single dimension, with 20 to 48 characters maximum. A 2D barcode encodes information on two dimensions and stores up to 7,089 numeric characters in a QR Code. 2D remains readable even when partially damaged, thanks to Reed-Solomon error correction.
1D barcodes (linear) concentrate information in a sequence of vertical bars. They are enough for a product ID or a short reference (SKU, EAN, GTIN). EAN-13, governed by ISO/IEC 15420:2009, is used everywhere in European mass retail.
- Limited capacity: 8 to 48 characters depending on the symbology.
- Unidirectional reading: sweep perpendicular to the bars.
- Near-zero tolerance to damage.
- Lower hardware cost: 1D scanners 30 to 50 % cheaper than 2D imagers.
- Maximum backward compatibility: supported natively by every ERP since the 1980s.
2D barcodes (matrix) solve two limits of 1D: density and robustness. A Data Matrix ECC 200 (ISO/IEC 16022:2006) encodes up to 3,116 numeric characters in a square smaller than one centimetre. A QR Code (ISO/IEC 18004:2015) reaches 7,089 numeric characters, with error correction configurable up to 30 % (level H). A laser-marked Data Matrix stays readable after years of wear, as long as 15 to 20 % of the matrix remains intact: this is why aerospace, automotive and healthcare have mandated it since the mid-2010s.
Comparison table: 1D vs 2D barcodes
| Criterion | 1D barcode | 2D barcode |
|---|---|---|
| Encoding dimension | Horizontal only | Horizontal and vertical |
| Maximum capacity | 8 to 48 characters | Up to 7,089 numeric char. (QR) |
| Main formats | EAN-13/8, UPC-A, Code 128, Code 39, ITF-14, GS1 DataBar | Data Matrix, QR Code, PDF417, Aztec, MaxiCode |
| Main ISO standard | ISO/IEC 15420:2009 | ISO/IEC 16022 (DM), 18004 (QR) |
| Reading direction | Perpendicular to bars | Omnidirectional |
| Damage tolerance | None | Up to 30 % (Reed-Solomon) |
| Minimum print size | ≈ 10 to 15 mm wide | ≈ 3 to 5 mm per side (DM) |
| Required scanner | Laser, CCD or 2D imager | 2D imager only |
| Scanner cost (B2B entry) | ≈ 100 to 250 GBP | ≈ 200 to 450 GBP |
| Typical use case | Retail till, inventory, logistics | Industrial traceability, healthcare UDI, QR marketing |
Main types of 1D barcodes
1D barcode types differ in character set, density and sectoral use. Code 128 and Code 39 dominate logistics and industry, while EAN-13 is reserved for retail. The format choice drives readability, minimum size and the required scanner.
- →EAN-13 and EAN-8: 13 or 8 digits, mandated by GS1 to identify a unique product worldwide. 100 % in European mass retail.
- →UPC-A and UPC-E: North American equivalents (12 and 8 digits).
- →Code 128: full alphanumeric, very compact. De facto standard in logistics and transport.
- →Code 39: alphanumeric uppercase, self-checking. Defence, automotive, public administration.
- →ITF-14: GTIN-14 on logistics units (cases, pallets).
- →GS1 DataBar: denser than EAN, fits small products (fruit, coupons).
- →Codabar: libraries, blood banks, laboratories.
- →MSI Plessey: legacy format, inherited shelf and inventory labels.
SBE note. To label internal assets (IT fleet, furniture, equipment), Code 128 remains the best capacity/readability trade-off. Discover our barcode labels, customisable with the format of your choice.
Main types of 2D barcodes
2D barcodes store information on two axes, offering unmatched density and damage resistance. Five formats concentrate 95 % of professional use cases: QR Code (marketing, mobile), Data Matrix (industry, healthcare), PDF417 (transport), Aztec (ticketing) and MaxiCode (UPS parcels).
- →QR Code (ISO/IEC 18004:2015): up to 7,089 numeric characters, read by all smartphones since iOS 11 and Android 8. Marketing, mobile payment, hospitality, ticketing.
- →Data Matrix (ISO/IEC 16022:2006): up to 3,116 characters. Reference for UDI (EU MDR 2017/745), pharmaceutical serialisation and direct part marking.
- →PDF417: stacked format, up to 1,850 characters. ID cards, driving licences, boarding passes (IATA BCBP).
- →Aztec: compact, no mandatory quiet zone. Rail tickets (UIC 918-3) and airlines.
- →MaxiCode: developed by UPS in 1992, destination address readable at high speed on sorting conveyors.
How to choose your barcode by industry
The choice of 1D and 2D barcodes depends on three variables: the content to encode (simple ID or enriched data), the reading environment (retail, warehouse, workshop, outdoor) and the target scanner (till, industrial handheld, smartphone).
| Industry | Main use case | Recommended format | Matched scanner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass retail | Final product checkout | EAN-13, EAN-8 | Fixed laser scanner or 1D handheld |
| Logistics and warehouse | Inbound, picking, dispatch | Code 128, GS1-128, ITF-14 | Rugged handheld terminal (IP54) |
| Healthcare and hospitals | Patient ID, drug and device traceability | Data Matrix (UDI), Code 128 | Disinfectable 2D imager |
| Industry and manufacturing | Direct part marking (DPM) | Laser-marked Data Matrix | Industrial 2D imager, DPM optics |
| Defence and public sector | Asset inventory | Code 39, Data Matrix | Rugged wireless handheld terminal |
| Transport and customs | Parcel tracking, shipping | Code 128, PDF417, MaxiCode | Fixed or portable 2D imager |
| Events and ticketing | Access control, badges | QR Code, Aztec | 2D imager or smartphone |
| Pharmacy and laboratory | Serialisation, batch, expiry | GS1 Data Matrix | Desktop or portable 2D imager |
SBE Direct proprietary data. Across our B2B identification deployments run in 2024 and 2025, roughly 7 out of 10 new projects shift to a universal 2D imager scanner, capable of reading legacy EAN-13 alongside QR Code and Data Matrix. The main driver: a single scanner model covers the whole fleet, reducing maintenance and operator training.
Barcode scanners: families and technologies
A barcode scanner is chosen along three axes: reading technology (laser, CCD, 2D imager), connectivity (wired USB, wireless Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) and form factor (counter scanner, handheld terminal, embedded reader). 2D imagers have dominated since 2022 because they read every 1D and 2D symbology with a single device.
CCD, laser and 2D imager: technical differences
- →Laser scanner: red beam sweeping the code. Long range (up to 50 cm), but 1D only and fragile to shocks.
- →CCD scanner: rugged linear sensor, no moving parts, but short range (5 to 15 cm) and 1D only.
- →2D imager scanner: smartphone-type matrix sensor. Reads everything, 1D and 2D, omnidirectional, including on screen.
Wired, wireless, embedded
A wired USB barcode scanner fits a fixed workstation: no battery, no pairing, durability beyond ten years. A wireless Bluetooth barcode scanner becomes mandatory whenever the operator moves away from the station (picking, inventory), with 30 to 100 m range. An embedded reader (OEM module) fits inside a kiosk or an industrial machine.
Handheld scanners, portable terminals and data collectors
- →Handheld scanner: a simple pistol-shaped or counter reader. One trigger, one beep, immediate transmission.
- →Portable terminal: autonomous device with screen and embedded OS, collects then syncs. See our barcode terminals range.
- →Data collector: intermediate with internal memory, ideal for occasional inventory.
How to choose a barcode scanner: decision checklist
Choosing a barcode scanner rests on seven objective criteria. Answer these questions in order, before even comparing specific models.
- Which code format to read? Any QR or Data Matrix in scope mandates a 2D imager.
- Which physical environment? IP54 minimum in logistics, IP65 for heavy industry, IP67 for permanent outdoor.
- Which reading distance? Counter (5 to 15 cm), rack (up to 1 m), long range (up to 15 m).
- Which connectivity? USB (fixed), Bluetooth (short mobility), Wi-Fi/4G (real-time sync).
- Which autonomy and ruggedness? An 8-hour shift demands 3,000 mAh minimum and a 1.5 m drop test.
- Which ergonomics? Under 250 grammes, accessible trigger, glove-compatible.
- Which total budget? The scanner is only 40 % of total cost: accessories, configuration, support over 3 years.
Barcode printing and labelling: hardware and consumables
Professional barcode printing requires a dedicated thermal printer, labels suited to the substrate and environment, and design software able to generate symbologies at the correct normative dimensions.
A professional thermal label printer produces codes with a contrast above 90 %, the threshold required by ISO/IEC 15416:2016 for a grade A rating. Two technologies coexist:
- →Direct thermal printing: heat-sensitive paper darkens under the print head. Cost-effective, for short-lifespan labels (under one year).
- →Thermal transfer printing: an ink ribbon is melted onto the label. Durable, for demanding environments (industry, outdoor, cold chain).
On the software side, a professional label design tool such as NiceLabel or BarTender guarantees compliance with normative dimensions, automatic serial generation and export to your ERP.
Barcodes and RFID: two complementary technologies
A barcode requires a direct line of sight, one at a time. RFID UHF reads without contact and up to several hundred tags simultaneously, at range. The two complement each other: unit-level visual identification for barcode, automated mass inventory for RFID.
Barcodes remain unbeatable on unit cost (under 0.01 GBP per label) and universality. UHF RFID (ISO/IEC 18000-63, EPC Gen2) allows over 200 tags read per second at 6 to 9 m, without line of sight, for 0.08 to 0.50 GBP per label. Barcodes win at the till and low-cost unit-level traceability; RFID wins on high-volume inventory and asset tracking. For a deeper look, see our RFID readers range.
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Barcode FAQ
How does a barcode scanner work?▾
A scanner emits a light source (LED, laser or matrix image sensor), captures the light reflected by the dark and light zones, then converts that signal into binary data. An internal microcontroller interprets the sequence according to the detected symbology (Code 128, EAN-13, Data Matrix, QR Code) and forwards the decoded alphanumeric string over USB, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Reading takes less than 100 milliseconds on a standard 2D imager.
What is the difference between a 1D barcode and a QR code?▾
A 1D barcode encodes information along a single horizontal line (8 to 48 characters), readable only in one direction. A QR Code (ISO/IEC 18004:2015) encodes on a two-dimensional matrix up to 7,089 numeric characters, readable in any direction, and stays readable even if damaged by up to 30 %. A standard smartphone reads a QR Code, but not an EAN-13 reliably in a professional context.
Do I need a 2D or a 1D scanner for my business?▾
A 2D imager is recommended in most cases from 2026, because it reads legacy 1D codes and the increasingly common 2D formats (QR, Data Matrix, healthcare UDI). A pure 1D scanner is only justified in a 100 % linear environment with high scan volume and a very tight budget. Across our 2024-2025 deployments, around 70 % of new B2B projects shift to universal 2D.
How do I obtain an EAN-13 barcode for a product?▾
An EAN-13 is issued by GS1. In the UK, a business joins GS1 UK, obtains a company prefix, then assigns a unique product number to each reference. Membership costs between 119 and 3,000 GBP per year depending on turnover. Once the GTIN is assigned, it can be printed in EAN-13 format by any label printer compliant with ISO/IEC 15420:2009.
Can a smartphone read barcodes in a professional context?▾
A smartphone reads QR Codes natively since 2017, and some 1D codes through dedicated apps. In intensive use it reaches its limits: ergonomics, battery, no IP54 resistance, reading 3 to 5 times slower than a dedicated imager. It is fine for a spot check; for any recurring use, a dedicated scanner or a rugged terminal remains essential.
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