Codabar Generator
Generate Codabar barcodes for libraries and labs.
What is Codabar?
Codabar is a self-checking barcode used by libraries, blood banks, photo labs and logistics. It encodes digits and a few symbols and uses letter start/stop characters.
How to create one
Enter digits and the supported symbols. If you don't provide A–D start/stop characters, the tool adds them for you. The preview updates as you type.
Supported characters
Codabar supports 0–9 and the symbols - $ : / . +, framed by start/stop letters A, B, C or D. Those letters aren't part of the data — they mark the code boundaries.
Where to use it
Still common on library cards and specimen labels because it's easy to print and self-checking without a computed check digit.
Scanning and printing tips
Keep bars clean and high-contrast, and give the code adequate width. Codabar is low-density, so short data works best.
Limitations
Limited character set and no built-in numeric check digit make Codabar less robust than modern symbologies for general use.
Frequently asked questions
What are the start and stop characters?
Codabar frames its data with a letter A, B, C or D at each end. If you omit them, the tool adds them automatically.
Which characters are allowed?
Digits 0–9 and the symbols - $ : / . + , plus the A–D start/stop letters.
Where is Codabar used?
Libraries, blood banks, photo labs and some logistics systems.
Curious how we build and check these codes? Read our methodology, and the disclaimer on what a generated barcode image is and is not.