2026-10-11

GS1 DataBar Expanded — Barcode Format Guide & Generator

GS1 DataBar Expanded is a one-dimensional linear symbology in the GS1 DataBar family. Variable length; encodes multiple AIs (bracketed form). Look for DataBar on loose and weighed fresh food, on coupons, and on small retail packs where a full EAN-13 would be too wide for the packaging.

Generated live in your browser by the same encoder the studio uses — nothing is uploaded.

Category: GS1 DataBar
Symbol: Linear (1D) bars
Data: GS1 element string — application identifiers in [square brackets]
Example: [01]98898765432106[3202]012345[15]991231

Data format

Encode GS1 element strings by wrapping each application identifier in square brackets, e.g. [01]98898765432106[3202]012345. The generator parses the AIs, validates the structure and computes the check digit for you.

Strengths and limitations

Strengths

Carries GS1-structured data that retail and healthcare systems understand natively.
Accepts structured GS1 application identifiers, so downstream systems parse the payload automatically.

Limitations

Only newer point-of-sale scanners read it — legacy checkouts may not.
Payload must follow the GS1 AI syntax exactly; free-form input is rejected.

Generate one in QrDeco

Open QrDeco and choose GS1 DataBar Expanded from the format list.
Type or paste your data — for example [01]98898765432106[3202]012345[15]991231.
Adjust size, colours, quiet zone or human-readable text in the style panel if you need them.
Export an SVG or PDF for print, or a PNG for screens — generated locally in your browser, nothing is uploaded.

Scanning and printing tips

Keep symbols at their nominal size: GS1 retail scanning assumes standard dimensions.
Leave the quiet zones clear — blank space on both sides of the bars is part of the symbol.
Print dark bars on a light background; red-only bars can vanish under red laser light.
Keep the bars vertical to the scan direction and print at the symbol’s standard magnification.
Verify one printed sample with a real scanner before committing to a full run.

Related formats

More from the GS1 DataBar family, plus the family overview: