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Grid Matrix is a square 2D barcode designed to encode Chinese characters efficiently. It’s built from a grid of small square blocks, each with its own dark or light frame, and the grid itself is what a scanner uses to find the code.

Decode one

Scan or paste a barcode and see every part of it.

Make one

Generate a valid barcode from fields.

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Where you’ll see it

  • Some documents and labels in China, where the data includes Chinese text.
  • Rarely anywhere else. It’s much less common than QR Code or Han Xin.
Grid Matrix was invented by Syscan Technology.

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Anatomy

There are 13 versions, from 18×18 to 162×162 modules. A code can be printed dark on light, or light on dark. It encodes ASCII text, binary data and Chinese characters (GB 18030), and it can carry GS1 data.

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Quiet zone

Grid Matrix needs a light margin at least 6 modules wide on every side.

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Error correction

There are five error correction levels, 1 to 5, which give 10% to 50% of the code’s capacity to error correction. Level 1 isn’t available in the smallest version. Choose a level the same way as for QR Code. See How much error correction should I use?
  • Han Xin: another 2D barcode designed for Chinese text, with an ISO standard.
  • QR Code: far more widely supported.

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Scanning it in your app

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Specification