Code 39 Extended

Code 39 Extended is a variation of the Code 39 barcode symbology that supports a full ASCII character set. Code 39 Extended supports a much larger set of 128 characters, including uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

The symbology consists of narrow and wide bars that represent the encoded data, with each character represented by a sequence of nine bars, three of which are wide and six are narrow. The width of the bars and spaces determine the encoded character, with the bars representing ones and the spaces representing zeros.

The barcode is read by scanning the code from one end to the other and decoding the pattern of narrow and wide bars.

Code 39 Extended is used in applications that require encoding a wide range of characters, such as labeling, product identification, and inventory control. It is a widely used symbology that provides a simple and efficient method for encoding data, but is limited by its relatively low density compared to other symbologies.

Code 39 Extended can be produced in different ratios of 2:1 and 3:1. This is the ratio between the thin and thick lines of the code. The higher the ratio, the wider the printed barcode with the same content, but the better the readability. ActiveBarcode always uses the 3:1 ratio. This ensures best readability.

By default, Code 39 Extended does not have a built-in check digit. If you create a Code 39 Extended barcode with the text "C39ex", the barcode will appear without the check digit:



If you create the barcode with a checksum, it will be displayed with a modulo 43 check digit:

Technical data

Valid characters:	0123456789[Space]ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ !#$%&'()*+,-./:;<=>?@[\]^_` abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz{|}
Length:	Variable with no fixed length.
Check digit:	Calculated according to Modulo 43 ActiveBarcode calculates the check digit automatically.
Type#:	Code 39 Extended - #10 - CODE39E (no check digit) Code 39 Extended Checksum- #27 - CODE39ECHECKSUM (Modulo 43 check digit)