GS1 DataMatrix Barcode Generator
Healthcare, pharma serialization
GS1 DataMatrix
What is GS1 DataMatrix?GS1 2D Codes › GS1 DataMatrix
What is a GS1 DataMatrix barcode?
GS1 DataMatrix is a Data Matrix code that holds GS1 data, such as a product’s GTIN, expiry date, batch and serial number. It is used for medicine serialization and medical device labeling (UDI), and more and more on food and retail packs. Pharmacies and hospitals scan it to trace products.
It starts with a special FNC1 character, so scanners know the data follows GS1 rules. The data uses Application Identifiers, for example (01) GTIN, (17) expiry date, (10) batch and (21) serial number. The brackets only appear in the text printed next to the code; they are not encoded.
What data can GS1 DataMatrix hold?
GS1 Application Identifiers in brackets, for example (01)03453120000011(17)261125(10)ABCD1234, up to 1,556 bytes. We add or check the GTIN check digit and check that dates use the YYMMDD format.
Recommended size
Leave a quiet zone of at least one module on every side. Most healthcare rules also ask for the key data in human-readable text next to the code, so plan space for it on the label.
More GS1 2D Codes barcodes
How to Create a Barcode in 3 Steps
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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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Every linear, 2D, GS1, postal, healthcare and payment code.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The GTIN in (01) must come from your GS1 company prefix for products in the supply chain.
Put fixed-length AIs such as (01) and (17) first, and variable-length ones such as (10) and (21) last. This keeps the code smaller.
YYMMDD. For example, (17)261125 means an expiry date of 25 November 2026.
No. Without the GS1 start character, scanners won’t treat the data as GS1, so choose GS1 DataMatrix when GS1 data is required.