How to use it
- Enter the data: digits and - $ : / . + only.
- Choose the start and stop characters (A, B, C or D). Check an existing label or your system's documentation to see which it uses.
- Download and scan a test label with your system's scanner.
Start and stop characters
Every Codabar barcode begins and ends with one of the letters A, B, C or D. Scanners use them to find the barcode, and some systems use the specific pair to tell label types apart. Many scanners include them in the scanned value, so a label for 40156 with A…B scans as A40156B unless the scanner strips them.
Codabar is also known as NW-7, particularly in Japan, and some older documentation calls the start/stop characters T, N, * and E instead of A to D.
Where it's used
- Library books and borrower cards, one of Codabar's most common remaining uses.
- Older blood bank, photo-lab and courier systems. Many have moved to Code 128 or ISBT 128.
- Any system that already uses Codabar and needs replacement labels that match.
For new systems
Codabar has no mandatory check digit and a limited character set. If you're designing something new, Code 128 is more compact and more widely supported.
Frequently asked questions
Which start and stop letters should I use?
The ones your existing labels or software expect. If you're matching library barcodes, scan an existing label to see its letters.
Is Codabar the same as NW-7?
Yes. NW-7 is another name for Codabar.
Related formats
Further reading
Need another format? The full Barcode Generator supports 15 barcode and 2D code types.