Data Matrix is a square or rectangular 2D barcode that packs text, numbers or GS1 product data into a small grid of black and white modules. barKoder reads printed, damaged and direct-marked Data Matrix codes with the phone and tablet cameras in your iOS, Android and web apps.
| Type | 2D matrix symbology. ECC 200 is the version in use today. |
| Character set and data | Numeric, alphanumeric and bytes (ISO/IEC 8859-1 by default, other character sets through ECI). GS1 data through a leading FNC1. |
| Capacity | Up to 3,116 digits, 2,335 alphanumeric characters or 1,555 bytes in a 144 x 144 symbol |
| Sizes | 24 square sizes from 10 x 10 to 144 x 144 modules. 6 rectangular sizes from 8 x 18 to 16 x 48. The DMRE extension (ISO/IEC 21471) adds rectangular sizes from 8 x 48 to 26 x 64. barKoder reads square, rectangular and DMRE symbols. |
| Error correction | Reed-Solomon (ECC 200) |
| Standard | ISO/IEC 16022 (current edition 2024). GS1 DataMatrix is defined in the GS1 General Specifications. |
A Data Matrix code stores data in a grid of square cells called modules. A dark module and a light module each stand for one bit. Because the data runs in both directions, a Data Matrix holds far more than a 1D barcode in the same space, which is why it fits on small parts, vials and medicine packs.
Every symbol has four parts:
The error correction lets a reader rebuild data from a symbol that is scratched, partly covered or badly printed. barKoder goes further with MatrixSight®, which reads codes with a missing finder pattern or clock track.
Most Data Matrix codes you scan today are ECC 200. What changes is the shape, the data format and how the code is marked.
| Variant | What it is | Scanning notes |
|---|---|---|
| ECC 200 | The current version, with Reed-Solomon error correction. Used for all new applications. | The default for printed labels, GS1 and DPM codes |
| ECC 000-140 | The original versions, with an older error correction scheme. Removed from ISO/IEC 16022:2024 and not allowed for GS1 data. | Found only in older closed systems |
| Square and rectangular | Square symbols from 10 x 10 to 144 x 144 modules. Rectangular symbols from 8 x 18 to 16 x 48 fit narrow spaces such as cable labels, vials and the edge of a box. | Same decoder, same settings |
| DMRE | Data Matrix Rectangular Extension, defined in ISO/IEC 21471. Adds longer rectangles from 8 x 48 to 26 x 64 modules, ECC 200 only. barKoder reads DMRE codes. | Used where a long, narrow code fits better than a square one |
| GS1 DataMatrix | ECC 200 with FNC1 in the first position and GS1 Application Identifiers, such as (01) GTIN, (10) batch or lot, (17) expiration date and (21) serial number | Parse the AIs into fields with the GS1 parser |
| DPM Data Matrix | Marked directly on the part by laser etching, dot peening or chemical etching, on metal such as steel, aluminum or copper, plastic, glass or silicon | Low contrast, glare and separate dots. Turn on DPM mode |
Data Matrix is the code of choice where space is tight and every item needs its own identity.
The EU Falsified Medicines Directive requires the unique identifier on prescription medicine packs to be encoded in a Data Matrix (ECC 200) code. In the US, the DSCSA requires the NDC, serial number, lot and expiry in a 2D Data Matrix barcode on each package. Hospitals also use Data Matrix on surgical tools and patient wristbands.
Barcode scanning for healthcare →Factories mark parts, PCB assemblies and components with Data Matrix codes for work-in-progress tracking, quality records and component-level traceability. Aerospace and defense parts are marked and graded to SAE AS9132 and MIL-STD-130.
Barcode scanning for manufacturing →Automakers mark engine and safety components with permanent Data Matrix codes so each part can be traced through the supply chain and genuine parts can be told apart from counterfeits. Parts warehouses and repair shops scan Data Matrix codes on packaging too.
Barcode scanning for automotive →Pharmaceutical logistics track medicine packs, bundles and cases by their Data Matrix codes from manufacturer to wholesaler to pharmacy. Labs label tubes, vials and specimen cassettes with Data Matrix codes and register many samples at once with Batch MultiScan.
Barcode scanning for warehousing →The barKoder Barcode Scanner SDK reads Data Matrix on iOS, Android, the web, Windows and Linux, and in Flutter, React Native, .NET MAUI, Capacitor, Cordova and NativeScript apps. These features matter most for this code.
A decoder setting and a predefined template for laser-etched and dot-peened Data Matrix codes. It connects separate dots into a readable grid, boosts local contrast on dark plastic and machined metal, and tolerates the distortion of curved parts.
DPM Barcode Scanner SDK →MatrixSight reads Data Matrix codes with a missing finder pattern or missing clock tracks. It tolerates up to three missing rows or columns on any side of a symbol larger than 48 modules, and up to two on smaller ones.
MatrixSight® algorithm →Turns the raw GS1 DataMatrix string into labeled fields such as GTIN, batch, expiry and serial number. It handles fixed- and variable-length Application Identifiers and follows the GS1 General Specifications.
GS1 Barcode Parser →Decodes several barcodes in a single camera view, whatever their type or size. Use it to register several Data Matrix-labeled tubes, vials or medicine packs in one pass.
Batch MultiScan →Enable only the decoders you need. This Web SDK example from the barKoder docs enables Data Matrix and turns on DPM mode.
Barkoder.setEnabledDecoders(Barkoder.constants.Decoders.Datamatrix);
Barkoder.setDatamatrixDpmModeEnabled(true);
Barkoder.setRegionOfInterest(35, 40, 30, 14);
Barkoder.setDecodingSpeed(Barkoder.constants.DecodingSpeed.Slow);
Barkoder.setCameraResolution(Barkoder.constants.CameraResolution.FHD);For printed labels, the first line is enough. The other lines are the docs' recommended settings for direct part marks: DPM mode, a small region of interest, slow decoding and Full HD resolution.
DPM mode examples for other platforms: Android, iOS, Flutter, React Native, Capacitor, Cordova, .NET MAUI and NativeScript.
Install the free barKoder demo app, or open the web demo, and scan your own Data Matrix labels and parts before you integrate the SDK. The demo app includes a DPM scanning template.
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.
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Both are 2D matrix codes. Data Matrix is located by a solid L-shaped border and a clock track on the opposite two sides, while QR Code uses three square finder patterns in its corners. Data Matrix can be printed smaller and in rectangular shapes, so it is the usual choice for small parts, medicine packs and direct part marking. QR Code holds more data (up to about 4,296 alphanumeric characters against 2,335) and is the usual choice for consumer-facing codes. barKoder reads both, and its MatrixSight® algorithm handles damaged codes of either type.
Yes, with a decoder built for it. Stock camera apps often fail on direct part marks because of low contrast, glare and separate dots instead of solid modules. With barKoder's DPM mode turned on, ordinary iOS and Android phones and Android-based industrial mobile computers read laser-etched and dot-peened Data Matrix codes on metal, plastic and glass. Test your own parts in the free demo app, which includes a DPM scanning template.
GS1 DataMatrix is a Data Matrix (ECC 200) symbol that starts with the FNC1 character and carries GS1 Application Identifiers, such as (01) GTIN, (10) batch or lot, (17) expiration date and (21) serial number. It is the code required on prescription medicine packs in the EU and in the US. The barKoder GS1 parser splits the scanned string into labeled fields, so your app gets the GTIN, batch, expiry and serial number without manual parsing.
The largest square symbol, 144 x 144 modules, holds up to 3,116 digits, 2,335 alphanumeric characters or 1,555 bytes. Most labels need far less, so the symbol grows in fixed steps from 10 x 10 modules as you add data. For more, the optional structured append feature spreads one message over up to 16 symbols. Data Matrix uses Reed-Solomon error correction, so a symbol can still be decoded when part of it is damaged.
Yes. The WASM Barcode Scanner SDK decodes Data Matrix in the browser with the device camera. Enable the decoder with Barkoder.setEnabledDecoders(Barkoder.constants.Decoders.Datamatrix); and turn on DPM mode with Barkoder.setDatamatrixDpmModeEnabled(true); when you scan direct-marked parts. See the Web SDK DPM mode example.
The one that reads your real codes on your target devices. Shortlist SDKs that handle damaged codes, direct part marks and GS1 parsing, then test them on your own samples. barKoder covers all three with MatrixSight®, DPM mode and the GS1 parser, and runs on iOS, Android, the web and cross-platform frameworks such as Flutter, React Native and .NET MAUI. The free trial runs for 30 days on up to 25 devices, so you can compare results on your own labels and parts.
Test the SDK on your own labels, medicine packs and marked parts with a free 30-day trial, or talk to an SDK expert about your project.
