Barcode Standards Explained: EAN-13 vs Code 128 for Retail & Warehouse

Barcodes are the fundamental language of automated retail. However, choosing the wrong symbology when printing product stickers can result in scanners failing at retail supermarket checkout counters.

EAN-13: The Global Retail Standard

EAN-13 is a 13-digit numeric barcode required for retail products sold in supermarkets and departmental stores worldwide. It encodes country codes, manufacturer identifiers, and product SKUs.

Code 128: The High-Density Warehouse Specialist

Code 128 supports alphanumeric characters (letters and numbers) and encodes data in a very compact layout. It is ideal for internal serial numbers, batch tracking cards, and warehouse shelf bin locations. You can generate both instantly using Zynveo's Free Barcode Maker.