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Barcode or QR code: which to use
Both turn information into a pattern a machine can read, and they suit different jobs. Here is how to choose between a linear barcode, such as Code 128 or EAN-13, and a QR code.
The differences at a glance
| Feature | Barcode (Code 128, EAN-13) | QR code |
|---|---|---|
| Holds | A short code: letters and numbers, or 8 to 13 digits for EAN and UPC | Any text, up to 2,331 bytes in this tool |
| Read by | Laser scanners and camera scanners | Camera scanners and phone cameras. Older laser scanners cannot read it |
| Shape | Wide and short | Square |
| Best for | Shop tills, warehouses, and shelf and bin labels | Links, longer text, and codes people scan with a phone |
Choose a barcode when
- You sell products through shops. Most tills expect an EAN or a UPC for the product number.
- Your shop or warehouse already has laser scanners.
- The code is short, and the label is wide and short.
Choose a QR code when
- You want people to open a web page with their phone.
- You need more than a short code, such as a name and a reference together.
- The label is square, or small and tall, where a wide barcode would come out thin.
- The label may get scratched. A QR code carries extra data so it can be read when partly damaged.
Use both on one label
Nothing stops an item having both: a barcode for the scanner at the till, and a QR code for a phone. This tool makes one format in each run, so paste the same list twice, once as barcodes and once as QR codes, and print both sets of labels.
Questions
Which is better for inventory?
Either. If your scanners are the older laser type, use Code 128. If you scan with phones or camera scanners, a QR code works well and holds more.
Do QR codes work at shop tills?
Most tills still expect an EAN or UPC for the product number. Use a QR code for a link or for your own records, and an EAN or UPC for the product.
Are QR codes more reliable than barcodes?
A QR code has built-in error correction, so it can survive some damage. A barcode is simpler, and a good print of either scans well. A short barcode on a wide label has thick bars, and that scans very well.
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