Read barcodes and MRZ from images in C# applications on Windows. The barKoder C# barcode reader library runs a native decoding engine through a .NET wrapper, decodes locally, and fits desktop, kiosk and server apps built on .NET 6 or newer.
The barKoder C# barcode scanner SDK is built on a native C decoding engine that your .NET code calls through P/Invoke. You pass it image data, and it returns the barcodes and MRZ it finds. Decoding runs locally, with no cloud service in between.
BarkoderSDK.(VERSION).nupkg with MRZ for x64 and ARM64, or BarkoderSDK.Lite.(VERSION).nupkg without MRZ for x86, x64 and ARM64.BarkoderNET namespace, imported with one using directive.Building a phone or tablet app with .NET? Use the .NET MAUI Barcode Scanner SDK, which adds a live camera scanner to Android, iOS and Windows apps.
To read barcodes from image files in C#, follow these steps and snippets from the C# installation guide in the barKoder docs. The full decode loop is in the sample_charp project that comes with the SDK.
using BarkoderNET;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Drawing.Imaging;
Config.InitializeWithLicenseKey("YourLicenseKeyHere");
config.SetEnabledDecoders(new List<DecoderType> { DecoderType.IDDocument });
Then build and run the sample with the image file name as its only command-line argument. The C# SDK installation guide lists every step.
"C# barcode scanner" can mean three different jobs. Here is which ones the SDK handles.
Load the image in .NET, convert it to grayscale and decode it. This is the flow in the installation guide and the sample app. It suits batch jobs, back-office tools and server-side processing on Windows Server.
barKoder's Windows SDK takes image and raw pixel buffer inputs from any camera or image source, such as webcams, scanners and video frames. In C#, capture frames with the imaging library you already use, such as Emgu CV or System.Drawing, and pass them to the decoder.
A handheld USB scanner decodes the barcode in the device and sends the result to your app as text. Your C# code reads that text, so no decoding SDK is involved. Choose barKoder when your app has to find and decode barcodes in images itself.
The C# SDK uses the same native decoding engine as the other barKoder SDKs.
1D barcodes
Codabar, Code 11, Code 25, Code 32, Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, COOP 2 of 5, Datalogic 2 of 5, GS1 DataBar, GS1 Composite, EAN-8, EAN-13, IATA 2 of 5, Interleaved 2 of 5, ITF-14, Matrix 2 of 5, MSI Plessey, Postal Barcodes, Telepen, UPC-A, UPC-E and UPC-E1.
2D barcodes
Aztec Code, Aztec Compact, Data Matrix, DotCode, MaxiCode, PDF417, Micro PDF417, QR Code and Micro QR Code.
See all supported barcode types →Enable the IDDocument decoder to read the machine-readable zone on passports and ID documents. It suits check-in kiosks, border control and identity verification desks.
See how MRZ scanning works →The C# installation guide documents setup and MRZ. For the C# settings of the other features, ask the barKoder team during your trial or talk to an SDK expert.
Typical C# projects for the SDK, from the barKoder C# product page.
Open-source libraries such as ZXing.Net can be enough for clean, well-printed codes. When your images are harder, compare libraries on your own files before you commit.
barKoder ships the same engine for each part of a .NET solution.
A camera scanner view for .NET MAUI apps on Android, iOS and Windows, installed from NuGet.org.
Runs in the browser with WebAssembly. eCarMover uses it inside a .NET Blazor web app hosted in Azure.
.dll libraries, headers and samples for Windows 10, 11 and Windows Embedded/IoT on x86 and x64.
The engine behind the C# SDK also ships as native, web, desktop and cross-platform SDKs, so the same decoding runs in every part of your solution.
Direct SDKs for mobile, browser, desktop and server environments.
Official integrations for teams building one application across platforms.
Teams that built barcode scanning into .NET applications.
Verified credentials
Certified information security management built around internationally recognized controls.
Official Solution Provider supporting standards-based barcode and data-capture workflows.
Solution Provider listing covering barcode, mobile application and 2D barcode capabilities.
Discover the barKoder Web SDK listing and connect through Microsoft Marketplace.
Registered Independent Software Vendor in Zebra's PartnerConnect ecosystem.
Install the free barKoder demo app, or open the web demo, and scan your own barcodes before you integrate the SDK.
iPhone and iPad
Scan with your camera, or point it at the QR code to open the App Store.
Android phones and tablets
Scan with your camera, or point it at the QR code to open Google Play.
Any modern browser
Runs the Web SDK in your browser, on desktop or mobile, with nothing to install.
Test with known samples. Print or display the testing sheet and scan each 1D and 2D barcode with the demo app. The data sheet summarizes the SDK for your team.
The one that decodes your own images reliably on your target setup. For clean, well-printed barcodes an open-source library can be enough. If you process damaged, blurred or engraved codes, several barcodes per image, PDF417 or DotCode, or passport MRZ, test barKoder on a folder of your real images with a free trial and compare the results.
Install the BarkoderSDK NuGet package into an x64 or ARM64 project (or BarkoderSDK.Lite, without MRZ, into an x86, x64 or ARM64 project), add using BarkoderNET;, and call Config.InitializeWithLicenseKey with your key. Then enable the barcode types you need, convert the image to a grayscale array and decode it. The sample_charp console app does this for the image file you pass as its argument. The C# installation guide walks through each step.
No. You download the C# SDK after you register, and it comes as a BarkoderSDK.(VERSION).nupkg file that you add to a local NuGet repository. The package on NuGet.org, Plugin.Maui.Barkoder, is the .NET MAUI Barcode Scanner SDK for mobile and Windows camera apps.
.NET 6.0 or newer, on Windows 10 or newer and Windows Server 2019 or newer. The SDK can't be built for AnyCPU, so you create a target per architecture: x64 or ARM64 for BarkoderSDK, which includes MRZ, plus x86 for BarkoderSDK.Lite, which has no MRZ. Contact barKoder if you need an older .NET framework.
You don't need it for that. A handheld USB scanner decodes the barcode itself and sends the result to your application as text. Use the barKoder C# SDK when your application has to decode barcodes from image files, scans or camera frames.
Yes. Enable the IDDocument decoder with config.SetEnabledDecoders to read the MRZ on passports and ID documents. MRZ needs the full BarkoderSDK package (x64 or ARM64), not BarkoderSDK.Lite, and a license key with MRZ enabled.
Decoding runs on your machine. The SDK contacts the barKoder licensing server only for the license check, at least once every 30 days.
Generate a key on the trial page or in the barKoder Developer Portal. A trial license lasts 30 days and covers up to 25 devices, with unlimited scans. No credit card is required. For server deployments, see the custom terms on the pricing page.
Test the barKoder C# SDK on your own images with a free 30-day trial, or talk to an SDK expert about your .NET project.
