POSTNET Barcode generator
Generate easy & customizable POSTNET Barcodes in seconds.
Make sure to test out your configured barcode before using it in production.
Free POSTNET Barcode Generator – Create Barcodes Online
Generate USPS POSTNET postal barcodes in seconds with TryQRCode.
Create a free POSTNET barcode for ZIP, ZIP+4, and delivery-point codes. Customize the colors, width, and height, preview it live, and download it as PNG, SVG, JPG, or WEBP for mail labels, sorting guides, and educational use. No login or technical skills required.
Generate POSTNET BarcodeWhat is a POSTNET Barcode?
POSTNET (Postal Numeric Encoding Technique) is a linear barcode symbology formerly used by the United States Postal Service. It encodes ZIP codes and delivery-point information using tall and short bars, where each digit is represented by five bars (two tall and three short). POSTNET was printed on mail for automated sorting but was discontinued by the USPS in January 2013 in favor of the Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB).
In short: POSTNET encodes USPS ZIP and ZIP+4 codes as tall-and-short bars and was the backbone of automated mail sorting before the USPS retired it in 2013.
POSTNET Quick Facts
| Encodes | ZIP, ZIP+4, and delivery-point codes (numeric only) |
|---|---|
| Length | 5, 9, or 11 digits with framing bar and check digit |
| Symbology | 5 bars per digit (2 tall + 3 short) |
| Check digit | Sum of digits modulo 10, appended as extra frame bar |
| Encoding standard | USPS POSTNET specification (DMM 602) |
| Typical use | Automated mail sorting, postal routing, delivery-point encoding |
How to Create Your POSTNET Barcode
Follow these four steps to generate a POSTNET barcode in under a minute.
1
Enter Your Data
Type or paste your ZIP, ZIP+4, or delivery-point code (5, 9, or 11 digits).
2
Customize the Look
Adjust foreground and background colors, width scale, height, and toggle the human-readable text.
3
Generate & Preview
Your barcode renders instantly with a live preview so you can verify it before download.
4
Download & Print
Export as PNG, SVG, JPG, or WEBP and use it on labels, sorting guides, and documents.
No registration required. Your barcode is generated in seconds and ready for print or digital use.
Benefits of POSTNET Barcodes
Why teams and businesses choose POSTNET barcodes for dependable, scannable identification.
Postal Standard
Was the official USPS symbology for automated mail sorting across the United States.
Compact Encoding
Represents each digit with just five bars, keeping the symbol short and easy to print.
Built-in Check Digit
Includes a modulo-10 check digit that helps scanners detect misreads.
Delivery-Point Accuracy
Encodes 11-digit delivery-point data for precise automated sorting to the doorstep.
Widely Documented
Extensively covered in postal manuals and barcode reference guides.
Educational Value
Still taught in barcode courses and used to demonstrate height-based encoding.
Common Use Cases for POSTNET
See how POSTNET barcodes are used across retail, logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Mail Sorting
Automated sorting of letters and postcards by ZIP code at postal facilities.
Delivery-Point Coding
11-digit codes that identify the exact delivery point for each piece of mail.
Bulk Mailings
Facing Identification Mark (FIM) patterns combined with POSTNET for presorted mail.
Postal Barcode Training
Used in barcode literacy courses to teach height-based encoding concepts.
Historical Mail Archives
Still found on older mail pieces and archived postal documents.
Legacy Systems
Referenced by legacy postal software and hardware that predate the IMB transition.
POSTNET Barcode – Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about how POSTNET works and where it was used.
No. The USPS discontinued POSTNET in January 2013 and replaced it with the Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) for all automated mail processing.
POSTNET encodes ZIP codes, ZIP+4 codes, or 11-digit delivery-point codes using numeric-only tall/short bar patterns.
Each digit is represented by five bars: two tall bars for a 1 and three short bars for a 0, using a special 2-of-5 encoding.
Yes. A modulo-10 check digit is calculated from the sum of all encoded digits and encoded as an additional bar pattern at the end.
The IMB combines routing and tracking data in a single symbol with 65 four-state bars, providing richer information and supporting postage discounts.
POSTNET and PLANET use the same tall/short bar encoding, but PLANET inverts the pattern and was used for mail tracking while POSTNET was used for addressing.
Create Your Free POSTNET Barcode Now
Generate a scannable POSTNET barcode in seconds—download it in any format for educational, archival, or reference purposes.
Generate POSTNET Barcode
Free, unlimited generation with a live preview—no sign-up needed, only with TryQRCode.