Code 128

Code 128 was developed by Computer Identics in 1981 and has gained enormous popularity over the years. It's widely used for warehouse management, in the transport industry and in retail as Code 128 EAN / UCC. Recently (2007) Code 128 EAN / UCC has been renamed to 128 GS 1.

code 128 image

Sample barcode created with our barcode plugin for Adobe Illustrator.

The code is used (among others) by UPS and FedEx.

Code 128 comes in three code sets (dubbed A, B, and C) that differ in compaction and encodable character set.

Code 128 character set

Code 128 A: Partial ASCII set, no lower case, but ASCII control chars

Code 128 B: Full ASCII set, no ASCII control chars

Code 128 C: Only numbers 0-9, encoded in pairs, very compact code

Also defined are various mode switching or shift characters to switch from one set to another within a symbol.

Code 128 GS1 (synonyms: 128 UCC, 128 EAN) is not a distinct Code 128 version. Instead these specifications detail how data is formatted within a symbol. Code 128 GS1 is mostly used on shipping labels where it encodes the SSCC-18 (Serial Shipping Container Code), postal code etc. See the GS1 website for details. In Europe see you country's EAN / GS1 branch.

Note: Using Code128A to encode ASCII control chars will not encode function key codes. Look at your barcode reader's manual for a feature called "Function Key Emulation" or the like.

More facts about this barcode

Application: Warehouse management, logistics, transport industry
Characters: Full ASCII set
Checksum: Almost always
Checksum calculation: Modulo 103. Each character of the code can be a check character.

Software to generate Code 128

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See our FAQ for more informations about this barcode symbology.