Matrix 2 of 5

Matrix 2 of 5 is a numeric barcode from the 2 of 5 family. It uses both bars and spaces for each digit, so it’s denser than Industrial 2 of 5, but less dense than Interleaved 2 of 5.

Decode one

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

Make one

Generate a valid barcode from fields.

Where you’ll see it

Older warehouse and inventory systems.
Rarely on new labels. Code 128 and Interleaved 2 of 5 are the usual choices.

Anatomy

Part	What it is
Start	A fixed pattern that marks the start
Data	Each digit is three bars and two spaces, two of the five elements wide, followed by a narrow gap
Stop	A fixed pattern that marks the end

Check digit

There’s no required check digit. Some applications add one, and the scanner has to be told.

Industrial 2 of 5: digits in the bars only, so less dense.
Interleaved 2 of 5: two digits per group of elements, so denser.
2 of 5 barcodes: the whole family.

Gotchas

Short reads. With no check digit, a partial read can look like a valid shorter number. Fix the length.
Enabled by accident. Like the rest of the 2 of 5 family, it can decode random patterns as short numbers. Enable it only if you need it.

Scanning it in your app

ScanField("Location", text: $location)
    .barcodeTypes(.matrix2of5)
    .validate(.length(8))

Specification

There’s no current international standard. Scanner and printer manufacturers document it individually.

Reference

Retail (GTIN)

Logistics and industrial

2D

Postal

Documents

Decode one

Make one

Where you’ll see it

Anatomy

Check digit

Gotchas

Scanning it in your app

Specification

Decode one

Make one

​Where you’ll see it

​Anatomy

​Check digit

​Variants and related types

​Gotchas

​Scanning it in your app

​Specification

Where you’ll see it

Anatomy

Check digit

Variants and related types

Gotchas

Scanning it in your app

Specification