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.