Two dimensional (2D) Bar Code Symbologies

The need to encode more information in a smaller space has driven the development, standardization, and growing use of 2D bar codes. Where traditional 1D bar codes act as a license plate to reference information stored in a database, 2D codes can fulfill the same function while taking up significantly less space. Or 2D codes can function as the database itself, and therefore assure complete portability for 2D labeled items. 

There are two types of 2D bar codes in current use: stacked codes and matrix codes.

Further information about the common uses of these symbologies is provided in the Industry Applications table.