What is a DAFT (custom 4-state) barcode?
DAFT is not a postal standard but a simple way to draw any 4-state barcode bar by bar. Each letter is one bar: D for descender, A for ascender, F for full height and T for tracker (the short middle bar).
It is useful when you need a 4-state symbology that isn't listed, want to reproduce an existing bar pattern exactly, or are testing scanners and printers.
No check characters or encoding rules are applied, so you get exactly the bars you type. For real mail, use the named postal barcode such as IMb, RM4SCC, KIX or Australia Post 4-State.
What data can DAFT (custom 4-state) hold?
Only the letters D, A, F and T, one per bar, for example FATDAFTDAD. Lowercase input can be converted for you.
Recommended size
Match the bar height, width and spacing of the system you are imitating. Print at a fixed size and avoid stretching.
More Postal Codes barcodes
How to Create a Barcode in 3 Steps
Choose a barcode type
Select a category on the left (e.g. Linear Codes), then the exact type like Code-128.
Enter data & customise
Type your data — we check it live and add check digits. Adjust size, font and colors.
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Exact mm sizes, label sheets (Avery, A4, 4×6 thermal).
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Paste a list or generate number sequences.
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Frequently Asked Questions
D is a descender, A an ascender, F a full-height bar and T a short tracker bar.
No. It draws exactly the bars you type, so any check bars must be part of your input.
Use it to build or reproduce a 4-state pattern that has no dedicated type here. For standard postal barcodes, use their own type.