The GS1 Barcode Format List
Barcodes have been the backbone of product identification and supply chain tracking for decades.
The GS1 barcode format standardizes how businesses across industries—from retail and healthcare to logistics and manufacturing—manage inventory, improve traceability, and streamline operations.
But barcodes are evolving. By 2027, GS1 standards will expand beyond supply chain efficiency to include customer engagement as a core function.
This shift means that barcodes, particularly 2D formats like GS1 QR Codes, won’t just store product details for internal use—they’ll also connect consumers to digital content, product authenticity checks, and personalized experiences with a simple scan.
With this in mind, let’s look at the GS1 barcode formats available today and how they serve different industries.
Table of Contents
1D (Linear) GS1 Barcodes
1D barcodes use a pattern of parallel black-and-white bars to encode data, allowing for fast and accurate scanning. They are called '1D' or 'linear' because the data is encoded in a single, horizontal direction.
This also means that 1D barcodes must be positioned correctly relative to the scanner's beam for successful reading, requiring a line-of-sight scan.
Over the years, GS1 has expanded its barcode portfolio to meet the demands of retail, inventory management, and logistics. While these barcodes share structural similarities, each has distinct characteristics tailored to specific applications.
UPC
(Developed in 1973, First Scanned in 1974)
The UPC (Universal Product Code) laid the groundwork for modern retail barcodes. It was selected as the standard for product identification in the U.S., ensuring consistent and efficient checkout scanning.
- UPC-A (12-digit format) – The most widely used barcode in North America, optimized for point-of-sale scanning.
- UPC-E (6-digit format) – A compressed version of UPC-A, designed for tiny products where space is a constraint.
EAN
(Established in 1977)
The EAN (European Article Number) was introduced to accommodate international markets, expanding standardized product identification beyond North America.
- EAN-13 (13-digit format) – The global counterpart to UPC-A, widely used outside North America.
- EAN-8 (8-digit format) – A space-saving alternative for smaller packaging, such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
GS1-128
(Developed in the 1980s, Standardized in the 1990s)
Originally known as UCC/EAN-128, GS1-128 was designed for logistics and supply chain applications. It looks like a standard 1D barcode but uses the Code 128 symbology, which consists of three bar widths and spaces, allowing for more complex data encoding.
- GTIN (Global Trade Item Number)
- Batch numbers
- Expiration dates
- Serial numbers
This barcode is critical in warehouse management, distribution, and regulatory compliance.
ITF-14
(Developed in the 1980s)
ITF-14 was introduced for cartons and logistics units. They consist of bold, thick bars with a rectangular border (a bearer bar).
Unlike UPC and EAN codes, it is not meant for checkout scanning. A key advantage of ITF-14 is its ability to be directly printed onto corrugated boxes using low-quality ink, making it ideal for bulk shipping and warehouse storage.
GS1 DataBar
(Development Began in the 1990s, Introduced as RSS in 1997, Rebranded in 2006)
Recognizing the need for smaller barcodes with greater data capacity, GS1 initiated the development of what was originally called RSS (Reduced Space Symbology) in the 1990s.
It was introduced to allow space-efficient barcode printing. It can be stacked (layered) or expanded to encode additional information.
GS1 DataBar is particularly useful for fresh foods, as it can store expiration dates, weights, and batch numbers, helping retailers manage stock rotation and recalls more effectively.
2D GS1 barcodes
2D barcodes, introduced in the late 20th century, offer several key added benefits, including higher data capacity, a smaller footprint, and improved durability.
With the growing need for more complex data storage and consumer interaction, GS1 2D barcodes, particularly DataMatrix and QR Codes, are revolutionizing industries like healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and logistics.
GS1 Data Matrix
(Introduced in the 1990s)
The GS1 Data Matrix is a 2D barcode that encodes a large amount of data in a small space, making it ideal for compact products such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and small electronics.
It can be square or rectangular. A key visual feature is the solid black border on two of the sides, which is shaped like an "L." The other two sides have an alternating black-and-white module pattern. These patterns help scanners determine the code's orientation and size.
Its small size allows it to be placed on products with limited space, while its high data capacity makes it suitable for encoding information like serial numbers, expiration dates, and traceability data.
Widely used in healthcare and manufacturing, the GS1 Data Matrix ensures compliance with healthcare regulations like UDI (Unique Device Identification).
GS1 QR code
(Introduced in the Early 2000s)
The QR Code has become one of the most popular 2D barcodes globally. It's a square grid, but what stands out are the three large, distinct square patterns in three of its corners.
These large squares are called "finder patterns," and they allow scanners to quickly locate and orient the code, even if it's tilted or partially obscured.
A QR code is particularly known for its consumer-facing applications, offering an easy way for consumers to interact with products via smartphones.
GS1 QR Codes evolved as smartphones began to feature scanners capable of reading QR codes.
Its high data capacity and linking ability allow consumers to access product information, promotional offers, traceability data, and even authenticity verification with a simple scan.
From 2027 onwards, GS1 QR Codes will become a common staple in retail, food safety, compliance, and consumer engagement, bridging the gap between physical products and digital experiences.
GS1 DotCode
(Introduced in the 2010s)
The GS1 DotCode is a 2D barcode symbology designed for high-speed printing applications, particularly in industries like tobacco, where fast inkjet or laser marking is required.
Introduced in the 2010s, GS1 DotCode was developed to meet the needs of industries requiring rapid printing and traceability compliance. Instead of solid squares, DotCode uses a pattern of tiny dots, almost like a pointillist painting.
The dots are very small, precise, and arranged in a specific pattern, and the spaces carry information between them. To the human eye, this arrangement can look like a random scattering of dots.
It is often used in high-volume production lines where barcodes must be marked quickly and accurately.
Primarily used in tobacco traceability, and other regulated industries, GS1 DotCode ensures compliance with strict traceability regulations.
GS1 composite format: A legacy hybrid barcode
The GS1 Composite Code was introduced in 2007 as a hybrid solution, combining the simplicity of 1D barcodes with the enhanced data capacity of 2D components (PDF417 or MicroPDF417).
It was designed to offer backward compatibility for legacy scanning systems while allowing additional traceability and regulatory information encoded in the components. It is essentially a traditional 1D barcode with a rectangle 2D barcode "cap" on top of it.
Since modern scanners—especially smartphones and updated point-of-sale systems—are optimized for 2D barcode reading, the GS1 Composite Format has become less relevant.
GS1 Composite code variants
CC-A: Combines a 1D barcode (EAN-8, EAN-13, UPC-A, UPC-E, or GS1 DataBar) with a MicroPDF417 component. It can encode up to 56 alphanumeric characters, making it suitable for retail environments where space is limited but additional product information is needed.
CC-B: It has the same barcode pairing as the CC-A, but it has a higher capacity of up to 338 alphanumeric characters. This makes it particularly useful in healthcare, especially for pharmaceutical labeling, where batch numbers, expiration dates, and other regulatory data must be included.
CC-C: Uses a GS1-128 barcode with a PDF417 component, allowing it to store up to 2,361 alphanumeric characters. This variant is ideal for logistics and manufacturing, where detailed product tracking across complex supply chains is required.
While these composite codes once served as a bridge between 1D and 2D barcodes, their hybrid structure is now more of a limitation than an advantage.
GS1 Digital Link: Turning barcodes into digital access points
GS1 Digital Link upgrades QR Codes and Data Matrix barcodes, making them interactive instead of static. It encodes structured data as a URL, linking physical products to dynamic online content, product verification, and supply chain insights—all through a single scan.
How GS1 Digital Link works
At its core, GS1 Digital Link is a machine-readable data structure that connects a barcode to digital content. Unlike traditional barcodes that only store static product identifiers,
GS1 Digital Link encodes a URL containing GS1 element strings—allowing it to function both as a standard product barcode and a gateway to online information.
How different scanners process it
Logistics & POS Scanners: When scanned by logistics and point-of-sale (POS) systems, a GS1 Digital Link-enabled barcode (such as a QR Code) behaves just like a traditional UPC or EAN barcode.
The system extracts the embedded GTIN and other encoded data for inventory tracking, pricing, and checkout processes. This ensures backward compatibility with existing retail infrastructure.
Smartphone Scanners: When scanned by a smartphone camera or mobile app, the barcode reveals its full digital potential. Instead of just retrieving product data for internal systems, the GS1 Digital Link connects users to a web-based experience. Depending on the product and how the link is structured, consumers can be directed to web pages that have:
- Product details and promotions
- Traceability information (e.g., origin, sustainability certifications)
- Regulatory compliance data (e.g., Digital Product Passport, ingredient disclosures)
Why GS1 Digital Link matters
✔ Authentication & Anti-Counterfeiting – Verifies genuine products by linking to trusted brand or regulatory databases.
✔ Regulatory Compliance—It supports the EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) for sustainability tracking, the FDA DSCSA for pharmaceutical traceability, and GDPR-compliant data handling.
✔ Supply Chain Transparency – Links products to real-time traceability systems, showing batch history, origin, expiration, and recall status.
✔ Sustainability – Reduces packaging waste by replacing printed labels with scannable, updateable data sources.
GS1 Digital Link is a data-driven upgrade that makes barcodes smarter, more connected, and future-ready.
The right GS1 barcode for your business
Each GS1 barcode format serves a distinct purpose, providing businesses with the right tools for product identification, logistics, marketing, and compliance.
While some formats share functionalities, their variety ensures suitability for different operational needs—whether scanning at checkout, tracking shipments, or enabling digital customer interactions.
As technology advances, 2D barcodes are gaining traction for their higher data capacity and flexibility.
At the same time, GS1 Digital Link transforms barcodes into dynamic gateways to online content, expanding their role beyond traditional scanning.
GS1 provides this range of options to allow businesses to choose the format that best fits their needs.
