Are these real Data Matrix codes?

Yes. They are ECC 200 symbols made by the same encoder as the generator, and each one is decoded in our tests to confirm the text shown under it.

What is in the GS1 result?

An invisible group separator between variable-length fields. Many scanners send it as character 29, and some screens show nothing for it.

Why does my scanner add ]d2 to the result?

That is the symbology identifier for a GS1 DataMatrix; plain codes send ]d1. Scanners can be set to send it or not, and your software should expect the same setting.

Can I test with a phone?

Yes, with a scanner app that supports Data Matrix. The default camera app may only read QR codes.

Is the text I type uploaded?

No. The code is made in your browser.

Data Matrix Test Codes for Your Scanner

Scan these 7 codes and compare each result with the text under it. It should match exactly; a ]d1 or ]d2 prefix is a scanner setting, not an error.

Short textBasic readTEST-12345

20 digitsLong numbers12345678901234567890

URLSymbols and lower casehttps://data-matrix-generator.com/

GS1 DataMatrixFNC1 and GS1 fields01095060001343521727123110LOT7<GS>21SN1001

RectangleRectangular symbolsRECT-2026

DMRE rectangleLong, thin rectangles (DMRE, ISO/IEC 21471)DMRE-2026

Long textDense symbols

DATA MATRIX SCANNER TEST. If your scanner returns this whole sentence up to the last word, it reads long codes correctly. END

Make Your Own Test Code

Text, number or URL to encode

Free. No sign-up. No ads. Nothing uploaded.

Shape

Size (modules)

Quiet zone (modules)

Code colour

Background

Output size

Pixels (screen)Millimetres (print)

Module size (px)

Printer resolution

White background (SVG and PDF; off for laser and cutting software, a PNG always has one)

Exact size in mm, matched to your printer's dots.

Symbology ID—

Size (modules)—

Quiet zone (modules)—

Printer resolution—

Batch: many codes, ZIP or label sheet (free up to 100 per download)

One value per line, or paste columns from ExcelOr load a CSV or text file

Columns split by

First row is a header

Column that goes into the code

Make a sequence

Prefix

Start at

Digits (zero-padded, 0 = none)

How many

Step

Suffix

Label sheet or roll

Start at label no.

Try any label to see the sheet. Free downloads start at label 1; starting later is part of Data Matrix Generator Pro.

Print the text beside each code

Free, no sign-up. Codes are made in your browser; your text and CSV files are never uploaded.

Want more? Data Matrix Generator Pro makes up to 1,000 codes at once, numbered sequences of up to 1,000 codes, label sheets that start on any label, and a whole roll of thermal labels in one PDF. US$19.90 a month or US$129 a year, cancel any time.

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How to run the test

Set your screen to full brightness and scan the Short text code. If that fails, fix the scanner settings before going on.
Scan the others in order and compare each result with the text under the code.
Print this page at 100% and scan the paper copy. Screens and paper read differently.
Make one code with your real data in the generator on this page, at your real label size, and test that print too.

Source: GS1 General Specifications, Release 26.0, section 5.6.

What each failure means

What each failure means
What happens	Likely cause	What to do
Nothing reads	A laser scanner, or Data Matrix is switched off	Use a camera-based scanner or phone, and turn the symbology on in its settings
Short text reads, GS1 does not	The scanner or app does not handle the FNC1 start	Check its manual for GS1 or FNC1 settings, or try another reader
GS1 reads, but the fields run together	The screen hides the separator, or it is dropped	Check the data in the receiving software before changing settings
Rectangle reads, DMRE does not	The scanner does not know the newer long, thin sizes	Use a standard size or check for a firmware update
Long text fails or stops early	Modules too small, or an output limit	Move closer, print larger, or check the receiving field’s length

Why a test code reads on screen but not on the label

Print brings problems a screen does not: modules too small for the printer, low contrast and no clear margin. Check the margin in the quiet zone guide and the print settings in the label guide.