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Aztec Code Generator — Free 2D Barcodes

PNG downloads at 1x–4x resolution.

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PNG for documents & web, SVG for print & designers — always free, no watermark, no signup.

Type or paste your data above and the Aztec code renders instantly — up to 3,000 characters with built-in Reed–Solomon error correction. No quiet zone needed: the bullseye finder pattern lets scanners locate the symbol even when it's printed edge-to-edge.

Download PNG up to 4x or SVG vector for print. Free, no signup, no watermark.

What is an Aztec code?

Aztec is a two-dimensional matrix symbology (ISO/IEC 24778) named for the concentric square bullseye at its center. That finder pattern does double duty: it lets scanners locate, deskew and calibrate the symbol in one shot, and it eliminates the quiet zone entirely — Aztec is the only mainstream 2D barcode that can be printed flush against other content, saving precious space on tickets and labels.

Data spirals outward from the bullseye in layers, with Reed–Solomon error correction woven in — the symbol keeps scanning with substantial damage. Capacity ranges from a few characters (an 11×11 module compact symbol) up to about 3,000 characters of text or 3,800 digits.

Where Aztec codes are used

  • Airline boarding passes — IATA's BCBP standard adopted Aztec (alongside PDF417 and DataMatrix); most mobile boarding passes render Aztec
  • Rail & transit — Deutsche Bahn, Trenitalia, Eurostar and many urban transit systems print Aztec on tickets
  • Event ticketing and venue access control
  • Healthcare — GS1 Aztec is permitted for pharmaceutical serialization where space is tight
  • Government documents — Polish vehicle registration, several national ID programs

Aztec vs QR vs DataMatrix

All three are ISO-standard 2D codes with Reed–Solomon error correction, and all scan with modern phones. Aztec's edge is space efficiency: no quiet zone and a compact format for short data make it smaller than QR for the same payload, and its bullseye reads reliably at extreme angles and through poor prints — exactly what a crumpled boarding pass needs. QR wins for consumer reach (every camera app prioritizes it); DataMatrix wins for tiny industrial marks and GS1-regulated labeling.

Aztec code specifications

PropertySpecification
StandardISO/IEC 24778
CapacityUp to ~3,067 text characters or 3,832 digits
Symbol sizes15×15 to 151×151 modules (full), 11×11 to 27×27 (compact)
Error correctionReed–Solomon, configurable 5–95% (23% default)
Quiet zoneNone required — unique among 2D symbologies
Finder patternConcentric square bullseye, reads at any angle
GS1 supportGS1 Aztec variant exists for regulated data

Printing & scanning tips

  • No quiet zone needed, but leave a little breathing room anyway — some older imagers appreciate it
  • Use SVG for print at 300 DPI+; PNG 3–4x for screens and documents
  • Short payloads stay in compact mode (11×11) — ideal for badges and wristbands
  • Test with the actual scanning app: iOS reads Aztec natively, most Android scanners too

Frequently asked questions

Is this Aztec code generator free?

Yes — unlimited Aztec codes, PNG up to 4x and SVG vector downloads, no account, no watermark. Aztec is an open ISO standard with no licensing fees.

Do Aztec codes really not need a quiet zone?

Correct — the bullseye finder pattern handles symbol location, so the ISO spec requires no blank margin. That's why airlines can pack Aztec codes edge-to-edge on boarding passes. In practice, a small margin still helps some scanners.

Can phones scan Aztec codes?

Yes — iPhone cameras read Aztec natively, and virtually all Android scanning apps support it. It's the standard on mobile boarding passes precisely because phone scanning is reliable.

Aztec vs QR code — which should I use?

QR for consumer-facing links (maximum phone compatibility). Aztec when space is tight, when the code might print poorly or get damaged (tickets, wristbands, badges), or when a standard like IATA BCBP mandates it.

How much data can an Aztec code hold?

Up to about 3,000 characters of text or 3,800 digits at the largest symbol size. For boarding-pass-style structured data (a few hundred characters), the symbol stays compact and dense.

What is a compact Aztec code?

A smaller format with a 2-layer bullseye for short messages (up to ~110 characters), producing symbols as small as 11×11 modules. The encoder picks compact mode automatically when your data fits.

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