Aztec is a 2D matrix barcode with a distinctive bullseye in the center (the namesake Aztec pyramid pattern). It does not need a quiet zone around it, which makes it ideal for printed tickets where space is tight.
Aztec is the standard format for European rail tickets (Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, Trenitalia), most transit cards, and many event tickets.
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At a glance
| Standard | ISO/IEC 24778 (2008) — ISO/IEC 24778 |
|---|---|
| Maximum capacity | 3,832 numeric · 3,067 alphanumeric · 1,914 binary bytes (151×151 grid) |
| Symbol sizes | 36 sizes — 4 compact (15×15 to 27×27) + 32 full-range (19×19 to 151×151) |
| Error correction | Reed-Solomon, user-selectable from ~5% to 95% of codewords (default 23%) |
| Quiet zone | None required — unique among the major 2D symbologies |
| Used by | European rail e-tickets (UIC 918-3), IATA BCBP mobile boarding passes, transit systems |
| Year introduced | 1995 (Andrew Longacre Jr., Welch Allyn); ISO standardized 2008 |
“Aztec Code symbols are nominally square, made up of square modules on a square grid, with a square bullseye pattern at their centre; no quiet zone is required outside the bounds of the symbol.”
Why Aztec instead of QR or Data Matrix
Aztec doesn't need a quiet zone — the surrounding white margin that QR and Data Matrix require. This makes Aztec slightly more compact for the same data, which is why printed-ticket workflows favor it.
Error correction is configurable from 5% to 95%. Default is around 23%, which tolerates fingerprints, folds, and partial scratches typical of pocket-carried tickets.
Capacity
Up to 3,067 ASCII characters or 3,832 digits in its largest size. The minimum readable size for printed tickets is around 15 mm square.
Frequently asked questions
- Will a QR scanner read Aztec?
- Most modern phone camera apps (iOS Camera, Google Lens) read both. Dedicated barcode scanners need Aztec support enabled — many have it on by default, some do not.
- Why is Aztec used for tickets and not retail?
- Tickets are small, often crumpled in pockets, and printed on cheap paper. Aztec's high error correction and small quiet zone fit those constraints. Retail uses optimized 1D codes because retail scanners are 1D-optimized lasers.