Pulse Check: Barcodes, one list for each code type

Pick the code you are checking. The checklist is here on the page, and the same list as a one-page PDF is for the shop floor.

EAN-13

In the file

The code type fits the packThe checkout code for consumer packs in Europe. Cartons carry ITF-14 or GS1-128. EAN-13 has 13 digits and a valid check digitWith a wrong check digit the number is not a valid GTIN, however good the bars look. The digits under the bars match the barsDecode the code in the PDF and compare it with what is printed under it.

Size and space

Illustration, not for printing. Drawn at X = 0.330 mm (target), checkout.

Checkout
	Min	Target	Max
X-dimension, mm	0.264	0.330	0.660
Bar height, mm (minimum)	18.28	22.85	45.70
Height if shortened, mm (last resort)	7.31	9.14	18.28
Quiet zone, left (11X), mm	2.90	3.63	7.26
Quiet zone, right (7X), mm	1.85	2.31	4.62

X-dimension is inside the rangeX is the width of the narrowest bar (the module of a 2D code). Use the range of the context where the code is scanned. The bars are tall enoughThe minimum grows with X. Since August 2026, GSCN 26-144 lets checkout bars be shortened when the pack has no room: by up to 60% of the minimum, so at least 40% remains. Last resort, because omnidirectional scanning gets worse. Treat it as a warning, not an error. The height does not include the digits under the bars. The quiet zones are emptyThe values are in the table, in X and in mm. No artwork and no text inside.

Before and after press

The retailer’s or partner’s spec is checkedIt can be stricter than GS1. If it is, their profile wins over the table. Bar growth and shrink are agreed with the press roomThe PDF does not contain it. The print profile and the technologist set it. A printed sample is graded with a verifierISO/IEC 15416 for linear codes. Minimum grade / aperture / wavelength: 1.5/06/660. A decoder only shows that the code reads. It does not grade print quality.

Sources: GS1 General Specifications, Release 26.0 (Jan 2026), table 5-44; GSCN 26-144. Checked 28 Oct 2026.

UPC-A

In the file

The code type fits the packThe checkout code for consumer packs in North America. Cartons carry ITF-14 or GS1-128. UPC-A has 12 digits and a valid check digitWith a wrong check digit the number is not a valid GTIN, however good the bars look. The digits under the bars match the barsDecode the code in the PDF and compare it with what is printed under it.

Size and space

Illustration, not for printing. Drawn at X = 0.330 mm (target), checkout.

Checkout
	Min	Target	Max
X-dimension, mm	0.264	0.330	0.660
Bar height, mm (minimum)	18.28	22.85	45.70
Height if shortened, mm (last resort)	7.31	9.14	18.28
Quiet zone, left and right (9X), mm	2.38	2.97	5.94

Before and after press

Sources: GS1 General Specifications, Release 26.0 (Jan 2026), table 5-44; GSCN 26-144. Checked 28 Oct 2026.

EAN-8

In the file

The code type fits the packFor small packs where an EAN-13 does not fit. EAN-8 has 8 digits and a valid check digitWith a wrong check digit the number is not a valid GTIN, however good the bars look. The digits under the bars match the barsDecode the code in the PDF and compare it with what is printed under it.

Size and space

Illustration, not for printing. Drawn at X = 0.330 mm (target), checkout.

Checkout
	Min	Target	Max
X-dimension, mm	0.264	0.330	0.660
Bar height, mm (minimum)	14.58	18.23	36.46
Height if shortened, mm (last resort)	5.83	7.29	14.58
Quiet zone, left and right (7X), mm	1.85	2.31	4.62

Before and after press

Sources: GS1 General Specifications, Release 26.0 (Jan 2026), table 5-44; GSCN 26-144. Checked 28 Oct 2026.

UPC-E

In the file

The code type fits the packA compressed UPC-A, used where a full UPC-A does not fit. The UPC-E expands to a valid UPC-AUPC-E is a compressed UPC-A. Its check digit is the one of the UPC-A it expands to. The digits under the bars match the barsDecode the code in the PDF and compare it with what is printed under it.

Size and space

Illustration, not for printing. Drawn at X = 0.330 mm (target), checkout.

Checkout
	Min	Target	Max
X-dimension, mm	0.264	0.330	0.660
Bar height, mm (minimum)	18.28	22.85	45.70
Height if shortened, mm (last resort)	7.31	9.14	18.28
Quiet zone, left (9X), mm	2.38	2.97	5.94
Quiet zone, right (7X), mm	1.85	2.31	4.62

Before and after press

Sources: GS1 General Specifications, Release 26.0 (Jan 2026), table 5-44; GSCN 26-144. Checked 28 Oct 2026.

ITF-14

In the file

The code type fits the packBelongs on outer cartons scanned in distribution. A 14-digit code on a consumer pack is a red flag. The number has 14 digits and a valid check digitIt is a GTIN-14. With a wrong check digit it is not a valid GTIN. The digits under the bars match the barsDecode the code in the PDF and compare it with what is printed under it.

Size and space

Illustration, not for printing. Drawn at X = 0.495 mm (target), cartons (distribution).

Cartons (distribution)
	Min	Target	Max
X-dimension, mm	0.495	0.495	1.016
Bar height, mm (minimum, fixed)	31.75	31.75	31.75
Quiet zone, left and right (10X), mm	4.95	4.95	10.16

X-dimension is inside the rangeX is the width of the narrowest bar (the module of a 2D code). Use the range of the context where the code is scanned. The bars are at least 31.75 mm tallThe minimum is fixed, whatever the X. The quiet zones are emptyThe values are in the table, in X and in mm. No artwork and no text inside. ITF-14 has bearer barsWith plates: a 4.83 mm frame around the symbol and its quiet zones. Without plates: bars at the top and bottom, at least 2X wide. Required unless technically impossible.

Before and after press

The retailer’s or partner’s spec is checkedIt can be stricter than GS1. If it is, their profile wins over the table. Bar growth and shrink are agreed with the press roomThe PDF does not contain it. The print profile and the technologist set it. A printed sample is graded with a verifierISO/IEC 15416 for linear codes. Minimum grade / aperture / wavelength: 1.5/10/660 (0.5/20/660 on corrugated board or X from 0.635 mm). A decoder only shows that the code reads. It does not grade print quality.

Sources: GS1 General Specifications, Release 26.0 (Jan 2026), table 5-47 and section 5.3.2.4. Checked 28 Oct 2026.

GS1-128

In the file

The code type fits the packUsed on cartons and on logistic labels (pallets, shipping units). The number has Application Identifiers in brackets, such as (01) GTIN or (00) SSCC. Every Application Identifier is in brackets and completeIn (01) GTIN and (00) SSCC the check digit is valid. The text under the bars matches the encoded dataDecode the code in the PDF and compare it with what is printed under it.

Size and space

Illustration, not for printing. Drawn at X = 0.495 mm (target), cartons (distribution).

Cartons (distribution)
	Min	Target	Max
X-dimension, mm	0.495	0.495	1.016
Bar height, mm (minimum, fixed)	31.75	31.75	31.75
Quiet zone, left and right (10X), mm	4.95	4.95	10.16

Logistics (pallets, shipping units)
	Min	Target	Max
X-dimension, mm	0.495	0.495	0.940
Bar height, mm (minimum, fixed)	31.75	31.75	31.75
Quiet zone, left and right (10X), mm	4.95	4.95	9.40

X-dimension is inside the rangeX is the width of the narrowest bar (the module of a 2D code). Use the range of the context where the code is scanned. For logistic labels the maximum is 0.940 mm. The bars are at least 31.75 mm tallThe minimum is fixed, whatever the X. The quiet zones are emptyThe values are in the table, in X and in mm. No artwork and no text inside.

Before and after press

The retailer’s or partner’s spec is checkedIt can be stricter than GS1. If it is, their profile wins over the table. Bar growth and shrink are agreed with the press roomThe PDF does not contain it. The print profile and the technologist set it. A printed sample is graded with a verifierISO/IEC 15416 for linear codes. Minimum grade / aperture / wavelength: cartons (distribution) 1.5/10/660; logistics (pallets, shipping units) values in table 5-51. A decoder only shows that the code reads. It does not grade print quality.

Sources: GS1 General Specifications, Release 26.0 (Jan 2026), tables 5-47 and 5-51. Checked 28 Oct 2026.

GS1 DataMatrix

In the file

The code type fits the packA square of dots with a solid L-shaped edge. It must carry GS1 data. The code decodes to GS1 dataApplication Identifiers with their data, not plain text. At the checkout, a linear barcode stays next to the 2D codeGS1 2D guideline r1.1 (Dec 2025): until about 90% of checkout systems read GS1-compatible 2D codes, a product with a 2D code also carries a linear one.

Size and space

Illustration, not for printing. Drawn at X = 0.495 mm (target), checkout.

Checkout
	Min	Target	Max
X-dimension, mm	0.396	0.495	0.990
Quiet zone, all four sides (1X), mm	0.40	0.50	0.99

Distribution and logistics
	Min	Target	Max
X-dimension, mm	0.743	0.743	1.50
Quiet zone, all four sides (1X), mm	0.74	0.74	1.50

X-dimension is inside the rangeX is the width of the narrowest bar (the module of a 2D code). Use the range of the context where the code is scanned. The symbol has the right sizeSide of the symbol = number of modules × X. Count the modules of your symbol and use the calculator for the size with quiet zones. The quiet zones are emptyThe values are in the table, in X and in mm. No artwork and no text inside.

Before and after press

The retailer’s or partner’s spec is checkedIt can be stricter than GS1. If it is, their profile wins over the table. Dot gain is agreed with the press roomThe PDF does not contain it. The print profile and the technologist set it. A printed sample is graded with a verifierISO/IEC 15415 for 2D codes. Minimum grade / aperture / wavelength: checkout 1.5/12/660; distribution and logistics 1.5/20/660. A decoder only shows that the code reads. It does not grade print quality.

Sources: GS1 General Specifications, Release 26.0 (Jan 2026), tables 5-46, 5-47 and 5-51; GS1 2D Barcodes at Retail POS Implementation Guideline r1.1 (Dec 2025). Checked 28 Oct 2026.

GS1 QR

In the file

The code type fits the packThree large squares in the corners. At the checkout it is valid only with a GS1 Digital Link or GS1 data. The code decodes to a GS1 Digital LinkA web address in the GS1 Digital Link format, not any URL. At the checkout, a linear barcode stays next to the 2D codeGS1 2D guideline r1.1 (Dec 2025): until about 90% of checkout systems read GS1-compatible 2D codes, a product with a 2D code also carries a linear one.

Size and space

Illustration, not for printing. Drawn at X = 0.495 mm (target), checkout.

Checkout
	Min	Target	Max
X-dimension, mm	0.396	0.495	0.990
Quiet zone, all four sides (4X), mm	1.58	1.98	3.96

Distribution and logistics
	Min	Target	Max
X-dimension, mm	0.743	0.743	1.50
Quiet zone, all four sides (4X), mm	2.97	2.97	6.00

Before and after press

Sources: GS1 General Specifications, Release 26.0 (Jan 2026), tables 5-46, 5-47 and 5-51; GS1 2D Barcodes at Retail POS Implementation Guideline r1.1 (Dec 2025). Checked 28 Oct 2026.

Pulse Check: Barcodes

EAN-13

In the file

Size and space

Before and after press

UPC-A

In the file

Size and space

Before and after press

EAN-8

In the file

Size and space

Before and after press

UPC-E

In the file

Size and space

Before and after press

ITF-14

In the file

Size and space

Before and after press

GS1-128

In the file

Size and space

Before and after press

GS1 DataMatrix

In the file

Size and space

Before and after press

GS1 QR

In the file

Size and space

Before and after press

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Pulse Check: Barcodes

EAN-13

In the file

Size and space

Before and after press

UPC-A

In the file

Size and space

Before and after press

EAN-8

In the file

Size and space

Before and after press

UPC-E

In the file

Size and space

Before and after press

ITF-14

In the file

Size and space

Before and after press

GS1-128

In the file

Size and space

Before and after press

GS1 DataMatrix

In the file

Size and space

Before and after press

GS1 QR

In the file

Size and space

Before and after press

Go deeper

Recently viewed Clear

Has a print error ever cost you a run?

Recently viewed