Overview
ISO/IEC 16390:2007 - Information technology - Automatic identification and data capture techniques - Interleaved 2 of 5 bar code symbology specification - is the international standard that defines the Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF) bar code symbology. Published as the second edition in 2007, it specifies the symbology characteristics, data encodation rules, dimensions and tolerances, a reference decoding algorithm, symbol quality criteria and the Symbology Identifier prefix strings used for Interleaved 2 of 5 symbols. This standard is essential for manufacturers, integrators and application developers working with AIDC (automatic identification and data capture) using Interleaved 2 of 5 barcodes.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Encodable character set: numeric digits 0–9 (ASCII 48–57), encoded in interleaved digit pairs.
- Code type: continuous, bidirectionally decodable; odd-length numeric strings must be padded with a leading zero.
- Element structure: each symbol character has 5 elements (2 wide, 3 narrow). Data is encoded as interleaved bar/space pairs.
- Character encodation: modified binary-coded decimal with a parity bit - Table 1 in the standard defines the binary patterns.
- Start/Stop patterns: defined narrow/wide element sequences; not transmitted by decoders.
- Optional check character: position and calculation described (Annex A).
- Dimensions & tolerances:
- Narrow element width (X) is application-defined.
- Wide/narrow ratio N nominal 2.0:1 to 3.0:1 (measured range 1.8–3.4 allowed).
- Minimum quiet zone = 10X; recommended minimum height for manual scanning = 5.0 mm or 15% of symbol width (whichever greater).
- Symbol width formula provided for precise sizing.
- Reference decode algorithm: stepwise method for determining wide/narrow elements, validating start/stop patterns and decoding digit pairs; used in assessing decodability.
- Symbol quality: conformance testing uses ISO/IEC 15416 print quality test methods; additional grades defined for wide/narrow ratio and quiet zones.
- Symbology Identifier: prefix strings for identification (Annex C).
Applications and users
- Practical uses: warehouse & inventory labeling, logistics and distribution, carton/pack tracking, manufacturing and parts identification where numeric-only dense barcodes are required.
- Primary users: barcode equipment manufacturers (printers, scanners), software developers (decoders, label design tools), systems integrators, quality assurance teams and organizations writing application-level AIDC standards.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC 15416 - Bar code print quality test specification (linear symbols)
- ISO/IEC 15424 - Data carrier identifiers (including Symbology Identifiers)
- ISO/IEC 19762-1 / 19762-2 - AIDC harmonized vocabulary
- ISO 646 - 7-bit coded character set
ISO/IEC 16390:2007 provides the definitive, standardized specification for implementing Interleaved 2 of 5 barcodes reliably and interoperably across AIDC applications.
Open preview (PDF)Information technology — Automatic identification and data capture techniques — Interleaved 2 of 5 bar code symbology specification