GS1 DataBar Limited — Barcode Format Guide & Generator
GS1 DataBar Limited is a one-dimensional linear symbology in the GS1 DataBar family. Small symbol; data must start with 0 or 1. 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.
- Category
- GS1 DataBar
- Symbol
- Linear (1D) bars
- Data
- Plain text within the symbology’s character set and length limits
- Example
- 0950110153001
Data format
Enter the payload as plain text. The encoder enforces each symbology’s character set and length rules, and rejects out-of-spec input with a clear message instead of silently producing a bad symbol.
Strengths and limitations
Strengths
- Carries GS1-structured data that retail and healthcare systems understand natively.
Limitations
- Only newer point-of-sale scanners read it — legacy checkouts may not.
Generate one in QrDeco
- Open QrDeco and choose GS1 DataBar Limited from the format list.
- Type or paste your data — for example 0950110153001.
- 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: