Aztec Code Generator API

Aztec Code is a two-dimensional matrix barcode standardized as ISO/IEC 24778, distinguished by a bullseye-style finder pattern at its center rather than the corner markers used by QR Code. Because it needs no surrounding quiet zone, Aztec packs efficiently onto small tickets and can be printed thermally with minimal margin, which is why the airline and rail industries adopted it for electronic boarding passes and e-tickets.

BarGen generates an Aztec Code from a REST call with the encoded string and error correction preference, returning an SVG for vector ticket templates or a PNG for thermal or laser printing pipelines.

Aztec Code is a two-dimensional barcode invented by Andrew Longacre Jr. and Robert Hussey at Welch Allyn in 1995. Named for its central finder pattern that resembles an Aztec pyramid from above, it was designed for easy printing and decoding.

Unlike QR codes, Aztec codes don't require a quiet zone (white border) around them. This makes them more space-efficient when printed in tight spaces. They can encode up to 3,832 numeric digits or 3,067 alphabetic characters.

The code uses Reed-Solomon error correction, with configurable redundancy from 5% to 95%. The central bullseye pattern makes it easy for scanners to locate and orient the code, even when printed at small sizes or at angles.

Aztec Code is the standard barcode for electronic ticketing in transportation. Deutsche Bahn (German Railways), Eurostar, and many other rail operators use it for mobile tickets. It is also used in healthcare for patient identification and specimen tracking.