Code 128 Bar Code Software & Fonts

Print Code 128 barcodes using C128Tools, Code 128 bar code fonts from Azalea Software, Inc.

Code 128 is a popular barcode symbology. Code 128 is a modern 1D symbology that encodes the lower 128 ASCII characters (hence its name).

Code 128 can be used for both alpha, numeric, and alphanumeric strings, is extremely compact compared to other symbologies, and includes a mandatory check digit to insure data integrity. Many modern labeling guidelines and specifications mandate Code 128. All other factors being equal, among non-UPC symbologies Code 128 is usually your best bet.

There are three dialects of Code 128: code set A, code set B, and code set C. The character sets that can be encoded are different: A is uppercase and lots of control codes, B most closely mimics ASCII 0-127, and C is numeric-only, offering high compression. While all Code 128 barcodes have the same stop bar, the three code sets have unique start bars which aids the decoding process. All code 128 barcodes include a mod 103 check digit. Human-readable characters are not part of the Code 128 specification but may be required by a given industry standard.

Each character in the Code 128 character set is made up of 11 modules of black and white bars, except the stop bar which has 13 modules. Code 128 has 106 different combinations of 3 bars and 3 spaces. The character that each combination represents depends upon which code set is being used. A given Code 128 bar code can include more than one code set if a CODE or SHIFT character is within the symbol.

Several major inventory, shipping, and distribution industry standards employ Code 128 as part of the label. GS1-128 (formerly known as UCC/EAN-128 or EAN-128) is an example of a labeling standard that mandates a Code 128 barcode be used.