QRCoderBarcodes
Barcode Types Explained: UPC, EAN, Code 128 and More
Point a scanner at a cereal box, a parcel label and a boarding pass and you get three very different barcodes. Knowing which is which tells you what a scan can — and cannot — tell you.
Free · Android · reads UPC, EAN, Code 128, PDF417 and QR
The barcodes you meet every day
| Barcode | Where you see it | What it holds |
|---|---|---|
| UPC-A (12 digits) | Products in the US and Canada | A product number (GTIN) |
| EAN-13 (13 digits) | Products in most other countries, books (ISBN) | A product number (GTIN) |
| Code 128 | Shipping labels, logistics, tracking numbers | Letters and numbers |
| ITF | Cartons and outer boxes | Numbers (often a case-level GTIN) |
| Code 39 / Code 93 | Inventory tags, industrial and library labels | Letters and numbers |
| Codabar | Older library and lab systems | Numbers |
| PDF417 | Boarding passes, many US driver's licences | Structured text, sometimes personal data |
| Aztec | Train and airline mobile tickets | Booking data |
| Data Matrix | Medicine packs, electronics, small parts | Product and batch data |
QRCoder reads all of these, plus QR codes, from the camera or from an imported image.
What a product barcode really contains
A UPC or EAN barcode holds only a number. It does not contain the price, ingredients or the product name. Those live in the shop's system or in product databases that look up the number. So a scan gives you the GTIN — useful for comparing items, searching the number online, or recording what you own — but price and details depend on where you look it up.
The first digits of an EAN are a GS1 company prefix, not a reliable "made in" country code: they show where the barcode number was registered, not where the product was manufactured.
Practical uses
- Home inventory: scan pantry items or spare parts and keep the numbers in your history. Mark frequently used ones as favourites.
- Batch scanning: scan several codes in a row — for example, when unpacking a delivery — and repeated codes in the same session are not added to history twice.
- Parcels: scan a Code 128 tracking number instead of typing it, then copy it into the carrier's app.
- Returns and warranties: scan the product barcode and model sticker before you throw away the box.
Boarding passes and ID cards carry personal data. PDF417 and Aztec codes can include your name and booking reference. Don't post photos of them online, and delete old scans you no longer need.
Scanning tips
- Hold the phone parallel to the barcode and fill about two-thirds of the frame.
- For long 1D barcodes, turn the phone so the code runs along the wider side of the frame.
- Use the flashlight in dim aisles and avoid glare on glossy packaging.
- Curved bottles and cans scan better if you rotate the item until the bars look straight.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between UPC and EAN?
UPC-A is a 12-digit product barcode used mainly in the US and Canada; EAN-13 is the 13-digit international version. Both encode a GTIN product number, and most scanners read both.
Can scanning a barcode tell me the price?
Not by itself. A product barcode only holds a number; prices and details come from the store's system or an online lookup of that number.
Does QRCoder scan shipping and ticket barcodes?
Yes. It reads Code 128, ITF, Code 39, Code 93, Codabar, PDF417, Aztec and Data Matrix as well as UPC, EAN and QR codes.
Sources and further reading
How this article was created
This article was drafted with the help of artificial intelligence and edited against the app's published feature list. The independent developer is responsible for publication and accepts correction reports. Verify health, safety, legal, financial and official requirements with a primary source or qualified professional.
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