What Codabar is
Codabar (NW-7) is a self-checking linear symbology encoding digits and the symbols - $ : / . + plus four distinct start/stop characters (A, B, C, D), long used in libraries and blood banks.
Generate it now
Enter your data to see a live Codabar preview.
Valid input
Codabar encodes digits and - $ : / . + with a required start/stop character pair from A, B, C, or D; bwip-js rejects characters outside this set.
Key options
Supported options include includetext and height.
Output and printing
Export SVG or PNG; keep quiet zones intact since Codabar has no dedicated guard pattern beyond its start/stop characters.
Common uses
Codabar is still used in libraries, blood banks, labs, and other legacy numbering systems that standardized on it decades ago.
Example
See the live preview above, seeded with a bwip-js-verified valid value.
Size guidance
Codabar needs a clear quiet zone on both sides for reliable scanning.
Troubleshooting
Missing start/stop characters are a common cause of rejection; bwip-js can add them automatically depending on configuration.
Related formats
Related formats: Code 39 and Code 11, both other legacy self-checking symbologies.