What is a Channel Code barcode?
Channel Code is a compact numeric symbology described in the AIM Uniform Symbology Specification. It was designed for very short numbers on small items where even a short Code 128 would be too wide.
The symbol comes in channels 3 to 8, and the channel used depends on the size of the number: a higher channel holds larger values. Each channel can only represent numbers up to a fixed maximum, so the generator accepts up to 7 digits and will report an error if the value is too large for the largest channel.
Channel Code has limited scanner support. Use it only when your reader supports it and space is extremely tight; otherwise Code 128 or a small 2D code such as Data Matrix is a more practical choice.
What data can Channel Code hold?
Digits 0-9 only, up to 7 digits. Spaces are removed. Very large 7-digit values can exceed the largest channel and will not encode.
Recommended size
Keep a quiet zone of at least 10 times the narrowest bar on each side. Channel Code is short by design, but print it with an X-dimension your scanner can resolve and test before use.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Up to 7 digits, and the largest values in that range do not fit even the biggest channel. It is intended for short numbers only.
Channels 3 to 8 are the symbol sizes. Larger numbers need a higher channel, which makes the barcode slightly longer; the right channel is chosen for you.
No. Many scanners do not read it, so confirm support first. Data Matrix is a common alternative for marking very small items.