Barcode Size Guide

How big to print a barcode, and how much space to leave.

A barcode's size is set by its X-dimension, the width of the narrowest bar or module. Every other bar, space and margin is a multiple of it, so changing the X-dimension scales the whole barcode. Retail barcodes are usually described by magnification instead: 100% is the nominal size with an X-dimension of 0.330 mm, and GS1 allows EAN-13 and UPC-A from 80% (0.264 mm) to 200% (0.660 mm) for products scanned at the till.

Smaller isn't always possible: printing processes spread ink, so a press that gains a lot needs a bigger barcode or narrower bars to compensate. Cutting the bars shorter than nominal (truncation) saves space but makes the barcode harder to scan from an angle, and GS1 discourages it. The quiet zones, the blank margins either side of the bars, are part of the barcode: without them scanners can't find where it starts and ends.

EAN-13, UPC-A and EAN-8 by magnification

Sizes in millimetres, width × height, including quiet zones and the digits underneath. Retail point-of-sale scanning allows 80% to 200%.

Magnification	X-dimension (mm)	EAN-13 / UPC-A (mm)	EAN-8 (mm)
80%	0.264	29.83 × 20.74	21.38 × 17.31
85%	0.281	31.70 × 22.04	22.72 × 18.39
90%	0.297	33.56 × 23.34	24.06 × 19.48
100%	0.330	37.29 × 25.93	26.73 × 21.64
110%	0.363	41.02 × 28.52	29.40 × 23.80
120%	0.396	44.75 × 31.12	32.08 × 25.97
150%	0.495	55.94 × 38.89	40.09 × 32.46
200%	0.660	74.58 × 51.86	53.46 × 43.28

Quiet zones by symbology

Minimum clear space in multiples of X, the narrow bar or module width.

Symbology	Left	Right	Note
EAN-13	11X	7X	The right margin is often marked with a > sign.
UPC-A	9X	9X
EAN-8	7X	7X	Often marked with < and > signs.
UPC-E	9X	7X
ISBN / EAN-13 with add-on	11X	5X after the add-on	The gap between main symbol and add-on is 7X to 12X.
ITF-14	10X	10X	Plus a bearer bar around or above and below the bars.
GS1-128 and Code 128	10X	10X
Code 39	10X	10X
Codabar	10X	10X
MSI Plessey	12X	12X	Common practice; there is no ISO standard.
PDF417	2X	2X	Also above and below.
Data Matrix	1X	1X	On all four sides; more helps.
Aztec	None	None	The central bullseye makes a quiet zone unnecessary.
QR Code	4X	4X	On all four sides.

Cartons and pallets (general distribution)

GS1 sizes for barcodes scanned in warehouses and distribution centres, where scanning distances are longer.

Symbology	X-dimension	Minimum bar height	Note
ITF-14	0.495 mm to 1.016 mm	31.75 mm	Wide-to-narrow ratio 2.25:1 to 3:1; bearer bars recommended.
GS1-128	0.495 mm to 1.016 mm	31.75 mm	At most 165 mm long and 48 data characters.
EAN-13 / UPC-A on cartons	0.495 mm to 0.660 mm	Nominal height for the magnification	150% to 200% magnification when scanned in distribution, not only at the till.

Good to know

Check the current GS1 tables

These figures follow the GS1 General Specifications' symbol specification tables, which set different sizes for different scanning environments (retail tills, general distribution, healthcare, direct part marking). If a retailer or customer gives you a specification, theirs wins.

Design and logo barcodes

A design barcode replaces part of the bar height with art, so print it at 100% or larger to keep plenty of plain bar height for scanners.