Decode Distances
Decode Distances

Decode Distances

The table below lists the typical distances for selected bar code densities. The minimum element width (or “symbol density”) is the width in mils of the narrowest element (bar or space) in the symbol.
SE4100 Decode Distances
Symbol Density/ Bar Code Type
Typical Working Ranges
Near
Far
5 mil Code 39
6.1 cm (2.4 in.)
24.1 cm (9.5 in.)
5 mil Code 128
7.1 cm (2.8 in.)
22.9 cm (9.0 in.)
6.67 mil PDF417
6.1 cm (2.4 in.)
20.3 cm (8.0 in.)
10 mil Data Matrix
7.4 cm (2.9 in.)
22.9 cm (9.0 in.)
100% UPCA
4.6 cm (1.8 in.)*
49.5 cm (19.5 in.)
15 mil QR Code
3.05 cm (1.2 in.)*
30.5 cm (12.0 in.)
20 mil QR Code
3.05 cm (1.2 in.)*
35.6 cm (14.0 in.)
20 mil Code 39
5.08 cm (2.0 in.)*
66.0 cm (26.0 in.)
*Limited by width of bar code in field of view.Notes: Photographic quality bar code at 15° tilt pitch angle under 30 fcd ambient illumination. Distances measured from front edge of scan engine chassis.