The difference between 1D barcode Code 39 and Code 93

Code 39 and Code 93 have the same character set, both supporting digits 0-9, 26 uppercase English letters A-Z, and eight special characters including space:

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, -, ., *, $, /, +, %, SPACE

A Code 39 barcode

A Code 93 barcode

The Code 39 barcode encoding structure takes up a considerable printing space, has a low encoding density, can record limited information, and has a large symbol size (occupying 12 bars and spaces), which is wider than ordinary barcodes, so the printing area is often insufficient. Because the printed barcode is relatively long, it is not easy to read with a close-range barcode scanner, so a relatively expensive long-distance and wide-angle barcode scanner is required, which increases the cost of identification and reading and batch printing. In order to improve the identification of Code 39 barcodes, Intermec developed Code 93 barcodes in 1982.

Code 93 is a barcode type with higher density and stronger security than Code 39.

Code 93 is more secure than Code 39. It uses double checksums. That is, there are two checksums in the barcode to reduce the error rate of barcode scanners reading barcodes. The printing length of Code 93 is shorter than that of Code 39 (occupying 9 bits), and it is narrower than Code 39 under the same character set.

Moreover, the Code 93 barcode character table is compatible with the Code 39 barcode. When the printing area is insufficient, Code 93 can be used to replace Code 39.

In summary, Code 93 and Code 39 are similar, the difference is that the density of Code 93 is higher than that of Code 39. When the barcode label area is insufficient, Code 93 can be used to replace Code 39, but the high density also has relatively high requirements for scanning equipment.