How to Decode Other Barcodes
Though ubiquitous, barcodes have long been largely meaningless to the average consumer since their inception. However, with simple Web tools, anyone can decode a barcode for free in a matter of seconds. There are a few types of barcodes, but UPCs (universal product codes) are by far the most common, with their instantly recognizable set of black vertical lines with eight or 12 digits underneath. This article covers how to decode a UPC number from an image and also how to look up the number to find product information. If you can read the number from the barcode without needing to decode it from an image, skip to Step 6.
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Instructions
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Decode a Barcode Number From an Image
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1
Take a picture of the barcode. Make sure the frame is centered on the barcode and that the image contains little else. Retake the picture if it appears blurry.
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2
Upload the image to your computer. If you use a film camera, have the photo developed and scan it into the computer using a scanner.
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3
Ensure that the image is smaller than 1 megabyte in size. If it is bigger, shrink it using photo software or an online tool such as ShrinkPictures.com.
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4
Navigate to an online barcode-image decoder tool such as OnlineBarcodeReader.com or DataSymbol's application. OnlineBarcodeReader.com is the simplest, while DataSymbol's recognition tool allows the user to choose to have the barcode decoded as text, an image with text, or XML.
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5
Upload the image of the barcode, and hit "Send file" or "Decode image" (depending on the chosen Web tool). The decoded number will be displayed on the same page.
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6
Copy the barcode number from one of the online tools described above or locate the number manually underneath the black vertical lines on the barcode. There should be either eight or 12 digits (including the smaller numbers on either end of the code, if present).
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7
Enter the number into UPC Database's Item Lookup tool. Press the "Look Up UPC" button. The site will display product information such as name, size/weight and issuing country along with an image of the barcode.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Maria Toutoudaki/Photodisc/Getty Images
