ZPL Barcode Commands

Q: How do I create a Code 128 barcode in ZPL?

Use ^BC with a ^BY module width, then the data. Example: ^XA ^FO50,50 ^BY3 ^BCN,100,Y,N,N ^FD123456789^FS ^XZ . The Y prints the human-readable interpretation line under the bars.

Q: How do I make a QR code in ZPL?

Use ^BQ . The field data is prefixed with the error-correction level and input mode, e.g. ^FO50,50 ^BQN,2,6 ^FDLA,https://example.com^FS . Here 2 is the QR model and 6 is the magnification.

Q: How do I create a Data Matrix barcode in ZPL?

Use ^BX : ^FO50,50 ^BXN,5,200 ^FDHELLO^FS , where 5 is the module size and 200 the quality/ECC level. Data Matrix is a compact 2D symbology good for small items.

Q: What does the ^BY command do?

^BY sets bar code field defaults before the barcode command: module (narrow bar) width in dots, the wide-to-narrow ratio, and the default height. Example: ^BY3,3,100 . It affects the barcode commands that follow it.

Q: Why is my ZPL barcode not scanning?

Usual causes: the module width ( ^BY ) is too small for the print density, the barcode runs off the label edge, or the data is invalid for that symbology (e.g. non-numeric data in EAN-13). Increase ^BY , check the ^FO position, and verify the data, then re-render.

ZPL can print 1D and 2D barcodes directly — no image needed. You set the bar code defaults with ^BY, pick a symbology command (^BC, ^BQ, ^BX, and others), and supply the data with ^FD…^FS. Below: the commands, copy-paste examples, and a live renderer.

Barcode example

Examples

Upload a .zpl file

ZPL code

^XA
^FO50,40^BY3^BCN,100,Y,N,N^FD123456789^FS
^FO50,200^BQN,2,6^FDLA,https://coolconversion.com^FS
^XZ

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Height

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ZPL barcode commands

Command	Symbology	Type	Example
`^BC`	Code 128	1D	`^BCN,100,Y,N,N`
`^B3`	Code 39	1D	`^B3N,N,100,Y,N`
`^BE`	EAN-13	1D	`^BEN,100,Y,N`
`^BQ`	QR Code	2D	`^BQN,2,6` + `^FDLA,…`
`^BX`	Data Matrix	2D	`^BXN,5,200`
`^BY`	Bar code defaults	modifier	`^BY3,3,100`

Examples

Code 128 with a human-readable line:

^XA
^FO50,50^BY3^BCN,100,Y,N,N^FD123456789^FS
^XZ

QR Code (error-correction level + data after ^FD):

^XA
^FO50,50^BQN,2,6^FDLA,https://coolconversion.com/zpl/barcode/^FS
^XZ

Data Matrix:

^XA
^FO50,50^BXN,7,200^FDHELLO WORLD^FS
^XZ

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create a Code 128 barcode in ZPL?

Use ^BC with a ^BY module width, then the data. Example: ^XA ^FO50,50 ^BY3 ^BCN,100,Y,N,N ^FD123456789^FS ^XZ. The Y prints the human-readable interpretation line under the bars.

How do I make a QR code in ZPL?

Use ^BQ. The field data is prefixed with the error-correction level and input mode, e.g. ^FO50,50 ^BQN,2,6 ^FDLA,https://example.com^FS. Here 2 is the QR model and 6 is the magnification.

How do I create a Data Matrix barcode in ZPL?

Use ^BX: ^FO50,50 ^BXN,5,200 ^FDHELLO^FS, where 5 is the module size and 200 the quality/ECC level. Data Matrix is a compact 2D symbology good for small items.

What does the ^BY command do?

^BY sets bar code field defaults before the barcode command: module (narrow bar) width in dots, the wide-to-narrow ratio, and the default height. Example: ^BY3,3,100. It affects the barcode commands that follow it.

Why is my ZPL barcode not scanning?

Usual causes: the module width (^BY) is too small for the print density, the barcode runs off the label edge, or the data is invalid for that symbology (e.g. non-numeric data in EAN-13). Increase ^BY, check the ^FO position, and verify the data, then re-render.