What GS1 DataBar Limited is
GS1 DataBar Limited is a GS1 symbology designed for very small retail items where even the compact GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional footprint does not fit -- it encodes a single AI (01) GTIN and nothing else, in a narrower symbol than any other DataBar variant. bwip-js draws it entirely with its own tables -- confirmed directly: no delegation to another symbology's encoder, and no separate on/off text control at all (the human-readable AI/GTIN text is unconditional).
Generate it now
Enter a value starting with the literal "(01)" application identifier, followed by 13 or 14 digits, to see a live preview.
Valid input
The value must be exactly 17 or 18 characters total: the literal "(01)" application identifier, then a digit that must be 0 or 1 (bwipp.databarlimitedBadStartDigit), then 12 more digits, then an optional 14th check digit (13 digits with no check digit lets bwip-js compute and append one; 14 digits requires the correct GS1 Mod-10 check digit, verified against the preceding 13 -- bwipp.databarlimitedBadCheckDigit rejects a mismatch). A missing or wrong application identifier (bwipp.databarlimitedBadAI) or any non-digit character in the GTIN body (bwipp.databarlimitedBadCharacter) is rejected outright.
Key options
Supported options include linkage and height. Real, literal defaults: linkage false (no linkage-flag pattern), height a literal sentinel auto-computed from the symbol.
Output and printing
Export SVG for vector-precise label artwork or PNG for a quick proof.
Common uses
GS1 DataBar Limited is used for small retail items -- cosmetics, pharmacy products, and similar packaging -- where the full-size GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional or UPC/EAN footprint does not fit; it is restricted to GTINs whose indicator digit is 0 or 1, and, unlike full-size DataBar variants, needs a reader specifically configured to decode it.
Example
See the live preview above, seeded with a bwip-js-verified valid value.
Size guidance
GS1 DataBar Limited always renders as a single, narrow linear row -- unlike GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional (the separately-covered capability), it has no stacked or truncated layout choice of its own.
Troubleshooting
A rejected value usually means the "(01)" prefix is missing, the digit right after it is not 0 or 1, the total length is not 17 or 18 characters, or a supplied 14th check digit does not match the required GS1 Mod-10 value.
Related formats
Related formats: the separately-covered GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional generator (a larger footprint with stacked/truncated layout choices) and GS1-128 Composite (a linear GS1-128 symbol paired with a 2D composite component).
FAQ
Why must my value start with "(01)"?
GS1 DataBar Limited only ever encodes a single GTIN under Application Identifier 01 -- the literal "(01)" prefix is required and any other application identifier is rejected outright.
Can the GTIN start with any digit?
No -- the digit immediately after "(01)" must be 0 or 1; any other value is rejected. This restricts DataBar Limited to a specific range of the GTIN space.