Code 39 Barcode FAQ
What specifications define Code 39?
Are there different kinds of Code 39 barcodes?
What is a Code 39 Full ASCII barcode?
Does Code 39 use a check digit?
How do I print a Code 39 barcode?
Code 39 barcodes are symbols that encode alphanumeric data. Code 39 is one of the oldest 1D barcode symbologies. They are widely used for identification, inventory, and tracking purposes. All barcode scanners, except POS cash registers, read Code 39 bar codes.
Code 39 is also called Code 3 of 9 because three of the nine elements (bars and spaces) in each character are wide.
What specifications define Code 39?
AIDC - Code 39ISO/IEC 16388:1999 or ISO/IEC 16388:1999
ANSI/AIM BCI-1995, USS Code 39
Are there different kinds of Code 39 barcodes?
There are two different types or flavors of Code 39: the standard 44 character version and Full ASCII Code 39. Scanners can read both but sometimes need to be configured to interpret Full ASCII symbols correctly.
What is a Code 39 Full ASCII barcode?
A Full ASCII Code 39 bar code uses a pair of glyphs to encode characters outside the standard 44 character version. They represent the lower 128 ASCII characters, hence the name. Obviously Full ASCII Code 39 symbols are almost twice as wide as the standard symbols but they are the only way to encode lowercase letters. Some scanners need to be configured to interpret Full ASCII characters correctly.
Does Code 39 use a check digit?
A mod 43 check digit can be used in a Code 39 barcode. Its use is rare.
How do I print a Code 39 barcode?
C39Tools is a font-based package that prints Code 39 barcodes. It's available for Windows, the Macintosh, and Linux/UNIX. C39Tools can be purchased online and then downloaded to your computer.