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What is a 2D barcode and how does it work?

2D barcodes are two-dimensional codes made up of small squares or rectangles arranged in a grid.

Unlike traditional 1D barcodes, which can only hold limited information, 2D barcodes can store a large amount of data in a compact space, making them ideal for use across the supply chain.

What information can be stored in a 2D barcode?

 

When scanned using a 2D imaging scanner or smartphone (depending on the format), the barcode can reveal:

  • Producer name
  • Batch / Lot number
  • Product weight
  • Use by / Best before date
  • Grower ID
  • GTIN number (Global Trade Item Number)
  • Serial number
  • Price

This rich data enables better traceability, inventory management, and customer engagement.

 

Types of 2D barcodes

There are two main types of 2D barcodes used in business and retail environments:

 

GS1 DataMatrix

This is the most common 2D barcode used for supply chain and retail applications, including by major retailers such as Woolworths.

 

Key features:

  • Compact symbol made up of square modules
  • Can encode up to 2,335 alphanumeric characters or 3,116 numeric characters
  • Supports variable-length data
  • Used for product authentication, expiry tracking, batch-level traceability, and more
  • Ideal for marking small items such as fresh produce
  • Easily scannable at retail POS when printed to GS1 standards
 

Structure of a GS1 DataMatrix:

  • Made of even numbers of rows and columns
  • A distinct ‘light square’ in the upper right-hand corner
  • Includes a finder pattern to help scanners locate and decode the symbol
 

QR Codes

QR (Quick Response) codes are more commonly seen on consumer-facing packaging and marketing materials.

 

How they work:

  • Easily scanned by smartphones
  • Easily scanned by smartphones
 

Did you know?

When built to GS1 Digital Link standards, QR codes can now do both:

  • Link consumers to engaging online content
  • Enable price lookup at retail POS

This makes QR codes a powerful tool for brands looking to combine product traceability with consumer engagement, without needing to print multiple codes.

Who uses 2D barcodes?

2D barcodes are used across a wide range of industries, including:

  • Retail – especially fresh food categories like meat, poultry, seafood, deli, dairy, and bakery
  • Food and beverage manufacturing
  • Exporters
  • Warehousing and logistics
  • Pharmaceuticals and healthcare
  • Consumer goods

Whether it’s enabling faster recalls, preventing counterfeiting, or improving the customer experience, 2D barcodes are fast becoming a cornerstone of modern supply chain transparency and trust.