2D Codes Generator
Matrix and stacked 2D codes: Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec, Micro QR, MaxiCode and more.
Data Matrix
What is Data Matrix?2D Codes › Data Matrix
2D barcodes store data in a grid or in stacked rows, so they hold far more than a linear barcode in less space. They have built-in error correction, so a scratched or partly covered code can often still be read. You need a 2D imaging scanner or a scanner app to read them.
Choose Data Matrix for small parts and labels, PDF417 for IDs and documents with lots of text, and Aztec Code for tickets shown on phone screens. Micro QR and rectangular Micro QR suit very small or narrow spots. For niche types such as MaxiCode or DotCode, follow the rules of the system that reads them.
16 barcode types in 2D Codes
Which 2D Codes barcode should I use?
| Barcode type | Allowed data | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Data Matrix | Any text / bytes | Electronics parts, small items |
| Data Matrix Rectangular | Any text | Narrow labels |
| Data Matrix Rectangular Extension (DMRE) | Any text | Very narrow strips |
| PDF417 | Any text / bytes | Boarding passes, IDs, shipping |
| Compact PDF417 (Truncated) | Any text | Space-saving PDF417 |
| MicroPDF417 | Any text (short) | Small items |
| Aztec Code | Any text / bytes | Train & airline tickets |
| Aztec Compact | Any text (short) | Small tickets |
| Aztec Runes | Number 0-255 | Machine-readable markers |
| Micro QR Code | Short text/digits | Tiny parts, PCBs |
| Rectangular Micro QR (rMQR) | Text | Narrow labels, cables, tubes |
| MaxiCode | Text (mode 2-6) | UPS parcel sorting |
| Han Xin Code | Text incl. Chinese | China market |
| DotCode | Text | High-speed industrial printing (cigarettes) |
| Code One | Text | Industrial / healthcare legacy |
| Ultracode (color) | Text | Color 2D experiments |
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.
Download or print
Get PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF or EPS, or print a full sheet of labels in one click.
Why Use QRCodeChamp Barcode Generator
125+ barcode types
Every linear, 2D, GS1, postal, healthcare and payment code.
Live validation
Friendly errors with one-click fixes and automatic check digits.
Print-ready PDF
Exact mm sizes, label sheets (Avery, A4, 4×6 thermal).
Bulk barcodes
Paste a list or generate number sequences.
Choose the Type of Barcode You Need
Not sure which barcode to use? Start with what you need it for — we’ll pick the right type.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use EAN-13 or UPC-A for products sold in stores, Code-128 for shipping and inventory, GS1-128 or SSCC for pallets, ISBN for books and Data Matrix or QR codes when you need to store more data in a small space.
Yes. Every barcode you create here is free to download and use commercially, without a watermark or an account.
To sell products in retail stores you need a GS1 company prefix, so your EAN or UPC numbers are unique worldwide. For in-store or internal use you can create codes without one.
A typical EAN-13 is about 37 × 26 mm (100%). Keep bars at least 0.19 mm wide for most scanners, leave the quiet zone around the code empty and print dark bars on a light background.
Yes. Tick “One barcode per line”, paste a list or use Bulk / Sequence to create a numbered series, then download a ZIP, a multi-page PDF or a label sheet.