Used by 700,000+ people
Free Codablock F barcode generator.
Codablock F stacks Code 128 rows into one block for text too long for one row. Type it and download the symbol.
How to create a Codablock F barcode
-
01
Type the text
The generator sets rows and characters per row. Latin-1 letters such as ü work; € returns an error.
-
02
Set the module width in whole dots
Choose Millimeter and whole printer dots: 0.254 mm is 3 dots at 300 dpi.
-
03
Leave the quiet zone free
By default, the image ends at the bars. Keep 10 modules clear left and right: 2.54 mm at 0.254 mm.
Codablock F: stacked Code 128
Each Codablock F row is a complete Code 128 symbol with a row indicator and check character. More check characters cover the block. Use it for long text on narrow labels, where the receiving scanners have Codablock F enabled.
HIBC and blood labels
TEC-IT's reference lists Codablock F as a common carrier of the Health Industry Bar Code (HIBC). ANSI/HIBC 2.6 cites Code 128, Code 39, Data Matrix, QR Code and Aztec, not Codablock F: ask your customer.
Eurocode IBLS, a blood labelling system, cited the Codablock F specification in 2000. Its 2023 specification recommends a Data Matrix for joined data elements.
Narrow blocks and row height
At 0.254 mm, the sample is 112 modules (28.4 mm) wide. The same text as one Code 128 would need 376 modules (95.5 mm).
Zebra's ZPL printers default to rows 8 modules high. With a millimetre module width, the online generator keeps the block height: the 7-row sample gets rows of 8–9 modules, 19 rows only 2–3.
Image formats and row control
The online generator downloads PNG, GIF and JPG, and SVG with a plan. Single codes need no account; series come from a data sheet after a free sign-in.
For taller rows, TBarCode SDK sets the row height, rows, characters per row and a GS1 format. Barcode Studio creates Codablock F too, and Zebra's ZPL printers draw it with ^BB.
Codablock F at a glance
- Size
- 2–44 rows of 4–62 characters
- Character set
- ASCII 0–127 and ISO 8859-1
- Checks
- Mod 103 per row, plus block checks
- Module width (X)
- At least 0.19 mm (TEC-IT)
- Quiet zone
- 10 modules left and right
The sample, row by row
- Each row: start A, code set selector, row indicator, 5 character positions, row check character and stop: 9 × 11 + 13 = 112 modules.
- Row 7: the last T, two fill characters and the block's checks.
Frequently asked questions
Learn more about Codablock F.
Why does my scanner read Codablock F as a short Code 128?
-lock . Honeywell's Voyager 1450g and Genesis XP 7680g ship with it off; the 7680g guide advises disabling Code 128 when enabling it.
How much text fits in a Codablock F?
Should I use Codablock F, PDF417 or Data Matrix?
Can Codablock F carry GS1 data?
More resources
Overview 2D Barcode Symbologies
Create these barcodes with TEC-IT software: Barcode Studio – barcode maker for Windows, macOS and Linux
ProductTBarCode SDK
The developer package for Windows: .NET, OCX and DLL components generate and print 100+ barcode symbologies from your applications.
ProductBarcode Studio
100+ barcode types, a live quality check and batch export.
ProductTBarCode Office
Add compliant barcodes to documents, mail merges and spreadsheets.