% ZINT(1) Version 2.15.0.9
%
% April 2025
# NAME
`zint` - encode data as a barcode image
# SYNOPSIS
| `zint` [`-h` | `--help`]
| `zint` [*options*]
# DESCRIPTION
zint takes input data from the command line or a file to encode in a barcode which is then output to an image file.
Input data is UTF-8, unless `--binary` is specified.
Human Readable Text (HRT) is displayed by default for those barcodes that support HRT, unless `--notext` is specified.
The output image file (specified with `-o` | `--output`) may be in one of these formats: Windows Bitmap (`BMP`),
Enhanced Metafile Format (`EMF`), Encapsulated PostScript (`EPS`), Graphics Interchange Format (`GIF`), ZSoft
Paintbrush (`PCX`), Portable Network Format (`PNG`), Scalable Vector Graphic (`SVG`), or Tagged Image File Format
(`TIF`).
# OPTIONS
`-h`, `--help`
: Print usage information summarizing command line options.
`-b TYPE`, `--barcode=TYPE`
: Set the barcode symbology that will be used to encode the data. *TYPE* is the number or name of the barcode
symbology. If not given, the symbology defaults to 20 (Code 128). To see what types are available, use the `-t` |
`--types` option. Type names are case-insensitive, and non-alphanumerics are ignored.
`--addongap=INTEGER`
: For EAN/UPC symbologies, set the gap between the main data and the add-on. *INTEGER* is in integral multiples of
the X-dimension. The maximum gap that can be set is 12. The minimum is 7, except for UPC-A, when the minimum is 9.
`--batch`
: Treat each line of an input file specified with `-i` | `--input` as a separate data set and produce a barcode
image for each one. The barcode images are outputted by default to numbered filenames starting with "00001.png",
"00002.png" etc., which can be changed by using the `-o` | `--output` option.
`--bg=COLOUR`
: Specify a background (paper) colour where *COLOUR* is in hexadecimal `RRGGBB` or `RRGGBBAA` format or in decimal
`C,M,Y,K` percentages format.
`--binary`
: Treat input data as raw 8-bit binary data instead of the default UTF-8. Automatic code page translation to an ECI
page is disabled, and no validation of the data's character encoding takes place.
`--bind`
: Add horizontal boundary bars (also known as bearer bars) to the symbol. The width of the boundary bars is
specified by the `--border` option. `--bind` can also be used to add row separator bars to symbols stacked with
multiple `-d` | `--data` inputs, in which case the width of the separator bars is specified with the `--separator`
option.
`--bindtop`
: Add a horizontal boundary bar to the top of the symbol. The width of the boundary bar is specified by the
`--border` option.
`--bold`
: Use a bold font for the Human Readable Text (HRT).
`--border=INTEGER`
: Set the width of boundary bars (`--bind` or `--bindtop`) or box borders (`--box`), where *INTEGER* is in integral
multiples of the X-dimension. The default is zero.
`--box`
: Add a box around the symbol. The width of the borders is specified by the `--border` option.
`--cmyk`
: Use the CMYK colour space when outputting to Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) or TIF files.
`--cols=INTEGER`
: Set the number of data columns in the symbol to *INTEGER*. Affects Codablock-F, DotCode, GS1 DataBar Expanded
Stacked (DBAR_EXPSTK), MicroPDF417 and PDF417 symbols.
`--compliantheight`
: Warn if the height specified by the `--height` option is not compliant with the barcode's specification, or if
`--height` is not given, default to the height specified by the specification (if any).
`-d`, `--data=DATA`
: Specify the input *DATA* to encode. The `--esc` option may be used to enter non-printing characters using escape
sequences. The *DATA* should be UTF-8, unless the `--binary` option is given, in which case it can be anything.
`--direct`
: Send output to stdout, which in most cases should be re-directed to a pipe or a file. Use `--filetype` to specify
output format.
`--dmiso144`
: For Data Matrix symbols, use the standard ISO/IEC codeword placement for 144 x 144 (`--vers=24`) sized symbols,
instead of the default "de facto" placement (which rotates the placement of ECC codewords).
`--dmre`
: For Data Matrix symbols, allow Data Matrix Rectangular Extended (DMRE) sizes when considering automatic sizes. See
also `--square`.
`--dotsize=NUMBER`
: Set the radius of the dots in dotty mode (`--dotty`). *NUMBER* is in X-dimensions, and may be floating-point. The
default is 0.8.
`--dotty`
: Use dots instead of squares for matrix symbols. DotCode is always in dotty mode.
`--dump`
: Dump a hexadecimal representation of the symbol's encodation to stdout. The same representation may be outputted
to a file by using a `.txt` extension with `-o` | `--output` or by specifying `--filetype=txt`.
`-e`, `--ecinos`
: Display the table of ECIs (Extended Channel Interpretations).
`--eci=INTEGER`
: Set the ECI code for the input data to *INTEGER*. See `-e` | `--ecinos` for a list of the ECIs available. ECIs are
supported by Aztec Code, Code One, Data Matrix, DotCode, Grid Matrix, Han Xin Code, MaxiCode, MicroPDF417, PDF417,
QR Code, rMQR and Ultracode.
`--embedfont`
: For vector output, embed the font in the file for portability. Currently only available for SVG output.
`--esc`
: Process escape characters in the input data. The escape sequences are:
\0 (0x00) NUL Null character
\E (0x04) EOT End of Transmission
\a (0x07) BEL Bell
\b (0x08) BS Backspace
\t (0x09) HT Horizontal Tab
\n (0x0A) LF Line Feed
\v (0x0B) VT Vertical Tab
\f (0x0C) FF Form Feed
\r (0x0D) CR Carriage Return
\e (0x1B) ESC Escape
\G (0x1D) GS Group Separator
\R (0x1E) RS Record Separator
\( (0x28) ( Opening parenthesis (only with
--gs1parens)
\) (0x29) ) Closing parenthesis (only with
--gs1parens)
\\ (0x5C) \ Backslash
\dNNN (NNN) Any 8-bit character where NNN is
decimal (000-255)
\oNNN (0oNNN) Any 8-bit character where NNN is
octal (000-377)
\xNN (0xNN) Any 8-bit character where NN is
hexadecimal (00-FF)
\uNNNN (U+NNNN) Any 16-bit Unicode BMP character
where NNNN is hexadecimal
\UNNNNNN (U+NNNNNN) Any 21-bit Unicode character
where NNNNNN is hexadecimal
`--extraesc`
: For Code 128 only, as well as processing the normal escape sequences above, process the special escape sequences
`\^A`, `\^B`, `\^C` and `\^@` that allow manual switching of Code Sets, and the special escape sequence `\^1` that
inserts an `FNC1` character. The sequence `\@` turns off manual switching. The sequence `\^^` can be used to
encode data that contains special escape sequences.
`--fast`
: Use faster if less optimal encodation or other shortcuts (affects Data Matrix, MicroPDF417, PDF417, QRCODE & UPNQR
only).
`--fg=COLOUR`
: Specify a foreground (ink) colour where *COLOUR* is in hexadecimal `RRGGBB` or `RRGGBBAA` format or in decimal
`C,M,Y,K` percentages format.
`--filetype=TYPE`
: Set the output file type to *TYPE*, which is one of `BMP`, `EMF`, `EPS`, `GIF`, `PCX`, `PNG`, `SVG`, `TIF`, `TXT`.
`--fullmultibyte`
: Use the multibyte modes of Grid Matrix, Han Xin and QR Code for non-ASCII data.
`--gs1`
: Treat input as GS1 compatible data. Application Identifiers (AIs) should be placed in square brackets `"[]"` (but
see `--gs1parens`).
`--gs1nocheck`
: Do not check the validity of GS1 data.
`--gs1parens`
: Process parentheses `"()"` as GS1 AI delimiters, rather than square brackets `"[]"`. If the AI data contains
parentheses, they must be backslashed (`"\("` or `"\)"`) and the `--esc` option selected.
`--gssep`
: For Data Matrix in GS1 mode, use `GS` (0x1D) as the GS1 data separator instead of `FNC1`.
`--guarddescent=NUMBER`
: For EAN/UPC symbols, set the height the guard bars descend below the main bars, where *NUMBER* is in X-dimensions.
*NUMBER* may be floating-point.
`--guardwhitespace`
: For EAN/UPC symbols, add quiet zone indicators `"<"` and/or `">"` to HRT where applicable.
`--height=NUMBER`
: Set the height of the symbol in X-dimensions. *NUMBER* may be floating-point.
`--heightperrow`
: Treat height as per-row. Affects Codablock-F, Code 16K, Code 49, GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked (DBAR_EXPSTK),
MicroPDF417 and PDF417.
`-i`, `--input=FILE`
: Read the input data from *FILE*. Specify a single hyphen (`-`) for *FILE* to read from stdin.
`--init`
: Create a Reader Initialisation (Programming) symbol.
`--mask=INTEGER`
: Set the masking pattern to use for DotCode, Han Xin or QR Code to *INTEGER*, overriding the automatic selection.
`--mirror`
: Use the batch data to determine the filename in batch mode (`--batch`). The `-o` | `--output` option can be used
to specify an output directory (any filename will be ignored).
`--mode=INTEGER`
: For MaxiCode and GS1 Composite symbols, set the encoding mode to *INTEGER*.
For MaxiCode (SCM is Structured Carrier Message, with 3 fields: postcode, 3-digit ISO 3166-1 country code, 3-digit
service code):
2 SCM with 9-digit numeric postcode
3 SCM with 6-character alphanumeric postcode
4 Enhanced ECC for the primary part of the message
5 Enhanced ECC for all of the message
6 Reader Initialisation (Programming)
For GS1 Composite symbols (names end in `_CC`, i.e. `EAN8_CC`, `EAN13_CC`, `GS1_128_CC`, `DBAR_OMN_CC` etc.):
1 CC-A
2 CC-B
3 CC-C (GS1_128_CC only)
`--nobackground`
: Remove the background colour (EMF, EPS, GIF, PNG, SVG and TIF only).
`--noquietzones`
: Disable any quiet zones for symbols that define them by default.
`--notext`
: Remove the Human Readable Text (HRT).
`-o`, `--output=FILE`
: Send the output to *FILE*. When not in batch mode, the default is "out.png" (or "out.gif" if zint built without
PNG support). When in batch mode (`--batch`), special characters can be used to format the output filenames:
~ Insert a number or 0
# Insert a number or space
@ Insert a number or * (+ on Windows)
Any other Insert literally
`--primary=STRING`
: For MaxiCode, set the content of the primary message. For GS1 Composite symbols, set the content of the linear
symbol.
`--quietzones`
: Add compliant quiet zones for symbols that specify them. This is in addition to any whitespace specified by `-w` |
`--whitesp` or `--vwhitesp`.
`-r`, `--reverse`
: Reverse the foreground and background colours (white on black). Known as "reflectance reversal" or "reversed
reflectance".
`--rotate=INTEGER`
: Rotate the symbol by *INTEGER* degrees, where *INTEGER* can be 0, 90, 270 or 360.
`--rows=INTEGER`
: Set the number of rows for Codablock-F or PDF417 to *INTEGER*. It will also set the minimum number of rows for
Code 16K or Code 49, and the maximum number of rows for GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked (DBAR_EXPSTK).
`--scale=NUMBER`
: Adjust the size of the X-dimension. *NUMBER* may be floating-point, and is multiplied by 2 (except for MaxiCode)
before being applied. The default scale is 1.
For MaxiCode, the scale is multiplied by 10 for raster output, by 40 for EMF output, and by 2 otherwise.
Increments of 0.5 (half-integers) are recommended for non-MaxiCode raster output (BMP, GIF, PCX, PNG and TIF).
Human Readable Text (HRT) for raster output will not be shown for scales less than 1.
See also `--scalexdimdp` below.
`--scalexdimdp=X[,R]`
: Scale the image according to X-dimension *X* and resolution *R*, where *X* is in mm and *R* is in dpmm (dots per
mm). *X* and *R* may be floating-point. *R* is optional and defaults to 12 dpmm (approximately 300 dpi). *X* may
be zero in which case a symbology-specific default is used.
The scaling takes into account the output filetype, and deals with all the details mentioned above. Units may be
specified for *X* by appending "in" (inch) or "mm", and for *R* by appending "dpi" (dots per inch) or "dpmm" -
e.g. `--scalexdimdp=0.013in,300dpi`.
`--scmvv=INTEGER`
: For MaxiCode, prefix the Structured Carrier Message (SCM) with `"[)>\R01\Gvv"`, where `vv` is a 2-digit *INTEGER*.
`--secure=INTEGER`
: Set the error correction level (ECC) to *INTEGER*. The meaning is specific to the following matrix symbols (all
except PDF417 are approximate):
Aztec Code 1 to 4 (10%, 23%, 36%, 50%)
Grid Matrix 1 to 5 (10% to 50%)
Han Xin 1 to 4 (8%, 15%, 23%, 30%)
Micro QR 1 to 3 (7%, 15%, 25%) (L, M, Q)
PDF417 0 to 8 (2^(INTEGER + 1) codewords)
QR Code 1 to 4 (7%, 15%, 25%, 30%) (L, M, Q, H)
rMQR 2 or 4 (15% or 30%) (M or H)
Ultracode 1 to 6 (0%, 5%, 9%, 17%, 25%, 33%)
`--segN=ECI,DATA`
: Set the *ECI* & *DATA* content for segment N, where N is 1 to 9. `-d` | `--data` must still be given, and counts
as segment 0, its ECI given by `--eci`. Segments must be consecutive.
`--separator=INTEGER`
: Set the height of row separator bars for stacked symbologies, where *INTEGER* is in integral multiples of the
X-dimension. The default is zero.
`--small`
: Use a smaller font for Human Readable Text (HRT).
`--square`
: For Data Matrix symbols, exclude rectangular sizes when considering automatic sizes. See also `--dmre`.
`--structapp=I,C[,ID]`
: Set Structured Append info, where *I* is the 1-based index, *C* is the total number of symbols in the sequence,
and *ID*, which is optional, is the identifier that all symbols in the sequence share. Structured Append is
supported by Aztec Code, Code One, Data Matrix, DotCode, Grid Matrix, MaxiCode, MicroPDF417, PDF417, QR Code and
Ultracode.
`-t`, `--types`
: Display the table of barcode types (symbologies). The numbers or names can be used with `-b` | `--barcode`.
`--textgap=NUMBER`
: Adjust the gap between the barcode and the Human Readable Text (HRT). *NUMBER* is in X-dimensions, and may be
floating-point. Maximum is 10 and minimum is -5. The default is 1.
`--vers=INTEGER`
: Set the symbol version (size, check digits, other options) to *INTEGER*. The meaning is symbol-specific.
For most matrix symbols, it specifies size:
Aztec Code 1 to 36 (1 to 4 compact)
1 15x15 13 53x53 25 105x105
2 19x19 14 57x57 26 109x109
3 23x23 15 61x61 27 113x113
4 27x27 16 67x67 28 117x117
5 19x19 17 71x71 29 121x121
6 23x23 18 75x75 30 125x125
7 27x27 19 79x79 31 131x131
8 31x31 20 83x83 32 135x135
9 37x37 21 87x87 33 139x139
10 41x41 22 91x91 34 143x143
11 45x45 23 95x95 35 147x147
12 49x49 24 101x101 36 151x151
Code One 1 to 10 (9 and 10 variable width) (HxW)
1 16x18 6 70x76
2 22x22 7 104x98
3 28x32 8 148x134
4 40x42 9 8xW
5 52x54 10 16xW
Data Matrix 1 to 48 (31 to 48 DMRE) (HxW)
1 10x10 17 72x72 33 8x80
2 12x12 18 80x80 34 8x96
3 14x14 19 88x88 35 8x120
4 16x16 20 96x96 36 8x144
5 18x18 21 104x104 37 12x64
6 20x20 22 120x120 38 12x88
7 22x22 23 132x132 39 16x64
8 24x24 24 144x144 40 20x36
9 26x26 25 8x18 41 20x44
10 32x32 26 8x32 42 20x64
11 36x36 27 12x26 43 22x48
12 40x40 28 12x36 44 24x48
13 44x44 29 16x36 45 24x64
14 48x48 30 16x48 46 26x40
15 52x52 31 8x48 47 26x48
16 64x64 32 8x64 48 26x64
Grid Matrix 1 to 13
1 18x18 6 78x78 11 138x138
2 30x30 7 90x90 12 150x150
3 42x42 8 102x102 13 162x162
4 54x54 9 114x114
5 66x66 10 126x126
Han Xin 1 to 84
1 23x23 29 79x79 57 135x135
2 25x25 30 81x81 58 137x137
3 27x27 31 83x83 59 139x139
4 29x29 32 85x85 60 141x141
5 31x31 33 87x87 61 143x143
6 33x33 34 89x89 62 145x145
7 35x35 35 91x91 63 147x147
8 37x37 36 93x93 64 149x149
9 39x39 37 95x95 65 151x151
10 41x41 38 97x97 66 153x153
11 43x43 39 99x99 67 155x155
12 45x45 40 101x101 68 157x157
13 47x47 41 103x103 69 159x159
14 49x49 42 105x105 70 161x161
15 51x51 43 107x107 71 163x163
16 53x53 44 109x109 72 165x165
17 55x55 45 111x111 73 167x167
18 57x57 46 113x113 74 169x169
19 59x59 47 115x115 75 171x171
20 61x61 48 117x117 76 173x173
21 63x63 49 119x119 77 175x175
22 65x65 50 121x121 78 177x177
23 67x67 51 123x123 79 179x179
24 69x69 52 125x125 80 181x181
25 71x71 53 127x127 81 183x183
26 73x73 54 129x129 82 185x185
27 75x75 55 131x131 83 187x187
28 77x77 56 133x133 84 189x189
Micro QR 1 to 4 (M1, M2, M3, M4)
1 11x11 3 15x15
2 13x13 4 17x17
QR Code 1 to 40
1 21x21 15 77x77 29 133x133
2 25x25 16 81x81 30 137x137
3 29x29 17 85x85 31 141x141
4 33x33 18 89x89 32 145x145
5 37x37 19 93x93 33 149x149
6 41x41 20 97x97 34 153x153
7 45x45 21 101x101 35 157x157
8 49x49 22 105x105 36 161x161
9 53x53 23 109x109 37 165x165
10 57x57 24 113x113 38 169x169
11 61x61 25 117x117 39 173x173
12 65x65 26 121x121 40 177x177
13 69x69 27 125x125
14 73x73 28 129x129
rMQR 1 to 38 (33 to 38 automatic width) (HxW)
1 7x43 14 11x77 27 15x139
2 7x59 15 11x99 28 17x43
3 7x77 16 11x139 29 17x59
4 7x99 17 13x27 30 17x77
5 7x139 18 13x43 31 17x99
6 9x43 19 13x59 32 17x139
7 9x59 20 13x77 33 7xW
8 9x77 21 13x99 34 9xW
9 9x99 22 13x139 35 11xW
10 9x139 23 15x43 36 13xW
11 11x27 24 15x59 37 15xW
12 11x43 25 15x77 38 17xW
13 11x59 26 15x99
For a number of linear symbols, it specifies check character options ("hide" or "hidden" means don't show in HRT,
"visible" means do display in HRT):
C25IATA 1 or 2 (add visible or hidden check digit)
C25IND ditto
C25INTER ditto
C25LOGIC ditto
C25STANDARD ditto
Codabar 1 or 2 (add hidden or visible check digit)
Code 11 0 to 2 (2 visible check digits to none)
0 (default 2 visible check digits)
1 (1 visible check digit)
2 (no check digits)
Code 39 1 or 2 (add visible or hidden check digit)
Code 93 1 (show the default check characters)
EXCODE39 1 or 2 (add visible or hidden check digit)
LOGMARS 1 or 2 (add visible or hidden check digit)
UK Plessey 1 (show the default check characters)
MSI Plessey 0 to 6 (none to various visible options)
1, 2 (mod-10, mod-10 + mod-10)
3, 4 (mod-11 IBM, mod-11 IBM + mod-10)
5, 6 (mod-11 NCR, mod-11 NCR + mod-10)
+10 (hide)
For a few other symbologies, it specifies other characteristics:
Channel Code 3 to 8 (no. of channels)
DAFT 50 to 900 (permille tracker ratio)
DPD 1 (relabel)
PZN 1 (PZN7 instead of default PZN8)
Ultracode 2 (revision 2)
VIN 1 (add international prefix)
`-v`, `--version`
: Display zint version.
`--vwhitesp=INTEGER`
: Set the height of vertical whitespace above and below the barcode, where *INTEGER* is in integral multiples of the
X-dimension.
`-w`, `--whitesp=INTEGER`
: Set the width of horizontal whitespace either side of the barcode, where *INTEGER* is in integral multiples of the
X-dimension.
`--werror`
: Convert all warnings into errors.
# EXIT STATUS
`0`
: Success (including when given informational options `-h` | `--help`, `-e` | `--ecinos`, `-t` | `--types`, `-v` |
`--version`).
`1`
: Human Readable Text was truncated (maximum 199 bytes) (`ZINT_WARN_HRT_TRUNCATED`)
`2`
: Invalid option given but overridden by Zint (`ZINT_WARN_INVALID_OPTION`)
`3`
: Automatic ECI inserted by Zint (`ZINT_WARN_USES_ECI`)
`4`
: Symbol created not compliant with standards (`ZINT_WARN_NONCOMPLIANT`)
`5`
: Input data wrong length (`ZINT_ERROR_TOO_LONG`)
`6`
: Input data incorrect (`ZINT_ERROR_INVALID_DATA`)
`7`
: Input check digit incorrect (`ZINT_ERROR_INVALID_CHECK`)
`8`
: Incorrect option given (`ZINT_ERROR_INVALID_OPTION`)
`9`
: Internal error (should not happen) (`ZINT_ERROR_ENCODING_PROBLEM`)
`10`
: Error opening output file (`ZINT_ERROR_FILE_ACCESS`)
`11`
: Memory allocation (malloc) failure (`ZINT_ERROR_MEMORY`)
`12`
: Error writing to output file (`ZINT_ERROR_FILE_WRITE`)
`13`
: Error counterpart of warning if `--werror` given (`ZINT_ERROR_USES_ECI`)
`14`
: Error counterpart of warning if `--werror` given (`ZINT_ERROR_NONCOMPLIANT`)
`15`
: Error counterpart of warning if `--werror` given (`ZINT_ERROR_HRT_TRUNCATED`)
# EXAMPLES
Create "out.png" (or "out.gif" if zint built without PNG support) in the current directory, as a Code 128 symbol.
```bash
zint -d 'This Text'
```
Create "qr.svg" in the current directory, as a QR Code symbol.
```bash
zint -b QRCode -d 'This Text' -o 'qr.svg'
```
Use batch mode to read from an input file "ean13nos.txt" containing a list of 13-digit GTINs, each on a separate line,
to create a series of EAN-13 barcodes, formatting the output filenames to "ean001.gif", "ean002.gif" etc. using the
special character "~".
```bash
zint -b EAN13 --batch -i 'ean13nos.txt' -o 'ean~~~.gif'
```
# BUGS
Please send bug reports to https://sourceforge.net/p/zint/tickets/.
# SEE ALSO
Full documention for `zint` (and the API `libzint` and the GUI `zint-qt`) is available from
https://zint.org.uk/manual/
and at
https://sourceforge.net/p/zint/docs/manual.txt
# CONFORMING TO
Zint is designed to be compliant with a number of international standards, including:
ISO/IEC 24778:2024, ANSI/AIM BC12-1998, EN 798:1996,
AIM ISS-X-24 (1995), ISO/IEC 15417:2007, EN 12323:2005,
ISO/IEC 16388:2023, ANSI/AIM BC6-2000, ANSI/AIM BC5-1995,
AIM USS Code One (1994), ISO/IEC 16022:2024, ISO/IEC 21471:2019,
ISO/IEC 15420:2009, AIMD014 (v 1.63) (2008), ISO/IEC 24723:2010,
ISO/IEC 24724:2011, ISO/IEC 20830:2021, ISO/IEC 16390:2007,
ISO/IEC 16023:2000, ISO/IEC 24728:2006, ISO/IEC 15438:2015,
ISO/IEC 18004:2024, ISO/IEC 23941:2022, AIM ITS/04-023 (2022)
# COPYRIGHT
Copyright © 2025 Robin Stuart. Released under GNU GPL 3.0 or later.
# AUTHOR
Robin Stuart <robin@zint.org.uk>