Barcode Types

Mapp Engage supports a variety of barcode types for different use cases. The type you choose depends on where and how the barcode will be scanned — for example, by a retail scanner, mobile device, or warehouse system.

⚠️ Always test the barcode with your actual scanning device to ensure it meets technical and resolution requirements.

Common Retail Barcodes

These are the most frequently used formats in point-of-sale and product labeling.

Barcode Type	Description	Example
EAN-13	Standard retail barcode used worldwide to mark products. Numeric only.
Code 39	Alphanumeric barcode used in internal and non-retail systems.
UPC-A	Common in North America for product labeling. Numeric only.
UPC-E	Compact version of UPC-A for small packaging. Numeric only.

Other 1-D & 2-D Barcodes

These formats support logistics, postal systems, ID cards, and mobile scanning.

Barcode Type	Description	Example
EAN-128	Also known as GS1-128. Used for logistics, batch numbers, expiration dates, and more.
EAN-8	Compressed version of EAN-13 for very small products.
Code 128	Compact, high-density barcode supporting full ASCII set.
Codabar	Simple barcode often used in libraries or shipping.
QR Code	2-D barcode that can store URLs, text, geo info. Widely used in marketing and mobile.
Interleaved 2 of 5	Encodes numeric data in digit pairs. Used in warehousing.
POSTNET	Used by USPS for mail routing.
PDF417	2-D stacked barcode that stores large amounts of text or binary data.
Data Matrix	High-capacity 2-D barcode, ideal for industrial and mobile use.
Royal-mail-cbc	Barcode used by Royal Mail to encode postcodes and delivery info.
USPS 4cb Intelligent Mail	Used by USPS to combine routing and tracking into a single barcode.

Each barcode can be created using the Barcode Generator in Engage, based on data from a coupon list, custom attribute, or manual input. For help inserting barcodes into messages, see the guide: Integrating Vouchers into Messages.