Question 1

What characters does Code 39 support?

Accepted Answer

Code 39 supports uppercase letters A–Z, digits 0–9, and these symbols: space, hyphen (-), period (.), dollar sign ($), slash (/), plus (+), and percent (%).

Question 2

Does Code 39 support lowercase letters?

Accepted Answer

No. Code 39 only supports uppercase letters. The generator auto-uppercases your input.

Question 3

What is Code 39 used for?

Accepted Answer

Code 39 is common in asset tags, simple inventory labels, defense/military applications, and legacy systems that predate Code 128.

Question 4

Does Code 39 have a check digit?

Accepted Answer

A check digit is optional for Code 39. Most modern implementations do not use it. The standard Code 39 format does not require one.

Question 5

What is the difference between Code 39 and Code 128?

Accepted Answer

Code 128 is more compact, supports more characters (including lowercase), and is preferred for most modern workflows. Code 39 is simpler and more common in older or legacy systems.

Question 6

How long can a Code 39 barcode be?

Accepted Answer

There is no strict limit, but values over 50 characters create very wide barcodes that may be difficult to scan. Keep values concise for best results.

Code 39 Barcode Generator

Supported characters

Related Tools

Frequently Asked Questions