Generate a Codabar barcode, used for things like library book tracking and blood bag labeling. Supports the standard format of start/stop characters (A-D) surrounding digits and a limited set of symbols (-$:/.+).
How to use
- Enter a string made of a start character (A-D), data (digits and symbols), and a stop character (A-D).
- Download the generated barcode as SVG or PNG.
How the calculation works
Generate Codabar (also called NW-7), a one-dimensional barcode for digits and a few symbols. Developed in 1972, it has long been used for library books, blood banks and courier waybills. In Japan it is known as NW-7. Input rules โข Begin and end with a start/stop character (A, B, C or D) โข In between, use digits 0โ9 and the symbols - $ : / . + The start and stop characters are markers that are often removed from the data after reading.
Worked example
โA40156Bโ โ start A, data 40156, stop B โA123456789Aโ โ an example library book number Some systems use different start/stop pairs to tell uses apart, such as books versus library cards.
Things to be aware of
- Letters other than AโD, and Japanese, cannot be used.
- Codabar has no standard check digit; where one is needed, each system adds its own (such as modulo 16).
- Some courier waybill numbers in Japan still use NW-7 barcodes.
FAQ
What is Codabar?
A linear barcode symbology developed in 1972, historically used in library book-tracking systems, blood bank labels, and some shipping labels.
What should I use for the start/stop characters?
Use one of A, B, C, or D at both the start and end of your data (e.g. A40156B).
What characters are allowed?
Besides the start/stop characters, only digits (0-9) and a limited set of symbols (- $ : / . +) are allowed.