Barcode-Druckgrößenrechner

Korrekte Druckabmessungen für jede Barcode-Symbologie berechnen. Zeigt X-Dimension, Höhe, Ruhezonen und gesamte Etikettenfläche.

80% Nominal (100%) 200%

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QR Code Size Calculator

Calculate optimal QR code dimensions for print and display.

How to Use

  1. 1
    Enter the symbology and magnification

    Select the barcode type (EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 128, ITF-14, etc.) and enter a magnification percentage between 80% and 200%. The nominal 100% size is defined by GS1 or the relevant standard.

  2. 2
    Review the computed dimensions

    The calculator displays the symbol width and height in millimeters and inches, including required quiet zones. The quiet zone — the white space on each side of the symbol — is mandatory and must not be encroached upon by other artwork.

  3. 3
    Validate against scan minimums

    Compare the output dimensions against the minimum scannable size for your distribution channel. GS1 specifies different minimum sizes for retail point-of-sale (80% for EAN-13) vs. general distribution and storage/transport applications.

About

The physical dimensions of a barcode are not arbitrary; they are derived from the X-dimension — the width of the narrowest bar or space in the symbol — which must be large enough for the printing process and scanning optic to resolve reliably. GS1 General Specifications define nominal symbol dimensions at 100% magnification for each standard symbology and allow a magnification range that balances label real estate against scan performance. The specification also distinguishes between different distribution channels — retail point-of-sale, general distribution, and storage and transport — because each involves different scanner types, scanning distances, and substrate conditions.

For retail EAN-13 and UPC-A symbols, the human eye and the scanner's optic must both be able to resolve the narrow bars reliably. At 100% magnification the EAN-13 X-dimension is 0.330 mm, which is well within the capabilities of conventional flexographic, offset, and digital printing processes. At 80% magnification (the GS1 minimum for retail) the X-dimension drops to 0.264 mm, approaching the resolution threshold of inkjet printing on some paper substrates. Print quality testing per ISO/IEC 15416 should be performed for any symbol printed below 100% to verify that the resulting bars fall within GS1 grade thresholds.

Logistics symbols such as ITF-14 and GS1-128 on outer shipping cases are printed at much larger X-dimensions — typically around 1 mm — because they are scanned by fixed-mount scanners and handheld readers at distances of 0.3 to 1.5 meters on receiving docks and sorting conveyors. The bearer bars required on ITF-14 prevent the scanner from producing a partial decode at the top or bottom edge of the symbol where bars terminate. Label placement rules defined in GS1 General Specifications specify where on a case face each symbol type must appear to guarantee consistent scanner presentation on automated materials-handling equipment.

FAQ

What is the nominal size of an EAN-13 barcode?
At 100% magnification (SC2 in GS1 terminology), an EAN-13 symbol measures 37.29 mm wide by 25.93 mm tall, including the mandatory quiet zones of 3.63 mm on the left and 2.31 mm on the right. The bars themselves occupy a width of 31.35 mm. These dimensions are defined in GS1 General Specifications and trace back to the original 1976 EAN standard. The human-readable digits beneath the bars fall outside the officially measured symbol height but are required for all EAN-13 symbols intended for retail trade.
What is the minimum acceptable magnification for retail barcodes?
GS1 recommends a minimum magnification of 80% for EAN-13 and UPC-A symbols used in retail point-of-sale scanning. At 80%, EAN-13 measures approximately 29.83 mm wide. Below this threshold, narrow bar widths approach the optical resolution limits of common retail laser scanners, increasing misread risk. GS1 also sets a maximum of 200% magnification; above this size, very wide quiet zones are required, consuming excessive label space. The ideal target for most retail applications is 100%, balancing scannability and label real estate.
Do quiet zones count toward the total barcode size?
Yes. Quiet zones are structurally mandatory blank areas on either side (and top and bottom for 2D symbols) of a barcode that allow the scanner's beam or image sensor to establish a baseline reflectance level before entering the symbol. For EAN-13, the left quiet zone must be at least 11 times the narrow bar width (approximately 3.63 mm at 100%), and the right quiet zone must be at least 7 times the narrow bar width (approximately 2.31 mm at 100%). Artwork placed within the quiet zone will cause scan failures. All GS1 size specifications include quiet zones in the stated total dimensions.
How does the X-dimension affect barcode sizing?
The X-dimension is the width of the narrowest element — a bar or space — in a linear barcode symbol. It is the fundamental unit from which all other widths are derived as integer multiples. For EAN-13 at 100% magnification, the X-dimension is 0.330 mm. At 80% magnification it is 0.264 mm, and at 200% it is 0.660 mm. The X-dimension determines both the physical size of the symbol and its decode reliability: smaller X-dimensions require higher-resolution printing and scanning, while larger X-dimensions allow greater substrate tolerance and scanning distance. GS1 Application Standards specify minimum and maximum X-dimensions for each distribution channel.
What size should a GS1-128 / ITF-14 barcode be on a shipping case?
For logistics and outer shipping case barcodes encoded in GS1-128 or ITF-14, GS1 specifies a target X-dimension of 1.016 mm (approximately 0.040 inches) at 100% magnification, substantially larger than retail barcode X-dimensions to support scanning at greater distances on conveyor systems. ITF-14 nominal size at 100% is approximately 142 mm wide including bearer bars and quiet zones. GS1 permits a range of 62.5% to 125% magnification for ITF-14 in the general distribution channel. Bearer bars — the thick horizontal lines above and below ITF-14 symbols — are mandatory and prevent partial scans at symbol edges.