USPS POSTNET, PLANET, and Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) Barcode Decoder by Douglas Boynton Quine

POSTNET and PLANET DECODE software enables you to type in a United States Postal Service POSTNET or PLANET barcode using "1" and "." symbols and receive in response the decoded ZIP code or tracking ID. This JavaScript decoder supports and reports the extended PLANET code with 2 added digits. If the POSTNET or PLANET barcode is incomplete, contains a bad checksum, or contains bad digits, the program flags the errors. A link is also provided to two online barcode decoders to decode the new USPS Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB). Please e-mail questions or corrections to the webmaster:

Philatelic - Postal Automation web pages by DBQ

Decode USPS four state Intelligent Mail Barcodes (IMB)

Automated reading of images with SmartPhone (65 bars only) - huge time saver finally available again

• for iPhone iOS from Apple APP Store (free): IMb scanner by Ashwood Data
• for Android from Google Play: IMb scanner by Solvoj

Automated reading of images uploaded as PNG or PDF files (65 bars only)

• USPS Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) decoder by Solvoj

Manual data entry using: Ascending, Descending, Full, Track (65 bars only)

• USPS Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) decoder by Bob Matthews
• USPS Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) decoder (old local version) by Bob Matthews
• USPS Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) decoder / encoder by USPS

Decode Foreign Post Barcodes

• Australia Post 4-State Barcode by Bob Matthews
• Royal Mail Customer Barcode (CBC) by Bob Matthews
• Royal Mail RED TAG Barcode by Bob Matthews

POSTNET and PLANET Barcode Internet Online Decoder
Triskelion Ltd (c) 1991-2023, all rights reserved
Library of Congress Registration TX3061712

Decode USPS POSTNET (ZIP code)
and PLANET (tracking) barcodes.

• Type the POSTNET or PLANET barcode into the box below using number "1" for tall bars and period "." for short bars (for example: 1..1.1..1.111.....1.1..1.1..1.11)
• Press the "Decode Barcode" button when the barcode is entered.
• If you make an error while typing the barcode, "backspace", and retype the incorrect characters.
• POSTNET or PLANET barcode will be decoded.
• POSTNET or PLANET barcode type will be reported (types described below)
• Partial barcodes, checksum errors, digit errors, missing start or end bars will be reported.
• Find POSTNET barcode specification in the USPS DMM C840 POSTNET barcoding standards for letters and flats
• Find ZIP code for a city at: USPS City State / ZIP Code Associations
• Find city name for a ZIP code at: USPS All Cities/Towns in a ZIP code
• Decode USPS POSTNET / PLANET Barcode:

  ---

  POSTNET or PLANET barcode types are:

      POSTNET (ZIP code)
         A  Field"   5 digit ZIP (e.g. 12345)
         C  Field"   9 digit ZIP (e.g. 12345-6789)
         C' Field"  11 digit ZIP (e.g. 12345-6789-01)
         B  Field" adds 6 digits (e.g.    45-6789)   (makes 9 digit ZIP)
         B' Field" adds 8 digits (e.g.    45-6789-01)(makes 11 digit ZIP)
      PLANET (tracking barcode)
         origin confirm barcode with customer ID (e.g. 21-123456789-2)
               service 21 = residual mail
               service 50 = courtesy reply letters
               service 51 = courtesy reply flats
               service 52 = business reply letters
               service 53 = business reply flats
               service 54 = business reply cards
               service 56 = QBRM letters
               service 57 = QBRM cards
               service 58 = courtesy reply cards
         destination confirm barcode with subscriber and mailing ID (e.g. 22-12345-6789-2)
               service 22 = residual mail
               service 30 = ? computerized forwarding system code for forwarded mail (followed by destination ZIP code) one observation by Terry Hines in Jan. 2013 - please report any others
               service 40 = first class letters
               service 41 = first class flats
               service 42 = standard letters
               service 43 = standard flats
               service 44 = periodical letters
               service 45 = periodical flats
               service 46 = first class cards
               service 47 = standard cards

Ordering options for POSTNET Barcode Decoder Classic
(stand alone executable version for your personal computer):

• select delivery option and then click PayPal Buy button POST: delivery to mailing address EMAIL: delivery to email address (or)
• send check / money order for fifteen dollars ($15) and your mailing address to:
  Triskelion Ltd., PO Box 153, Bethel CT 06801-0153

The POSTNET decoder software and POSTNETB barcode debug software with an informational sheet about the USPS POSTNET barcode will be shipped to you by first class mail (floppy disk) OR by email (ZIP file).

Ordering options for POSTNET / PLANET Barcode Decoder PREMIUM
(stand alone executable version for your personal computer):

• select delivery option and then click PayPal Buy button POST: delivery to mailing address EMAIL: delivery to email address

  (or)

• send check / money order for twenty five dollars ($25) and your mailing address to:
  Triskelion Ltd., PO Box 153, Bethel CT 06801-0153

The POSTNET decoder software and POSTNETB barcode debug software with a stand alone web browser POSTNET / PLANET code decoder, and an informational sheet about the USPS POSTNET barcode will be shipped to you by first class mail (floppy disk) OR by email (ZIP file).

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

• POSTNET barcodes are overwhelming, can you help me?

  barcode404.html

• Will the POSTNET DECODE program decode the new four state (full/descending/ascending/track) USPS Intelligent Mail Barcodes (IMB)?

  No, however the USPS online IMB decoder can do so.

• I am looking for a POSTNET bar code font to barcode my mail and obtain postal discounts

  The WORD word processor from MICROSOFT (check under "Envelopes" options) and many other programs (such as: My Advanced Mailing List available at Office Superstores and Postalsoft "Address Dictionary" from 1-800-831-6245) will create POSTNET barcodes to go with addresses on envelopes. Such programs, however, do not meet United States Postal Service (USPS) CASS certification regulations unless the ZIP codes have been confirmed against a licensed database within the last 6 months. Some vendors offer subscription services to provide the mandatory regular updates to maintain certification. In short getting the font to print the barcodes can be achieved through several routes but the USPS won't give you a discount. Naturally the postal service's concern is that wrong barcodes are worse than none because they misdirect the mail. Perhaps the United States Postal Service publication Mailer's Companion shows this question best. goodbar.gif

• What software is USPS CASS certified to barcode my mail and obtain postal discounts?

  1/ PITNEY BOWES Shipping & Weighing: "SmartMailer" through 1-800-MR-BOWES (needs annual subscription)

  2/ POSTALSOFT: "DeskTop Postal Code" through 800-831-6245 (needs annual subscription)

  3/ MySoftware Co: "My Advanced Mailing List" through office superstores (needs annual subscription)

• National Address Server: https://www.cedar.buffalo.edu/adserv.html

  Given a valid U.S. postal address, this server attempts to rewrite the address in the proper format along with the ZIP+4 code. If it is successful, you can retrieve a Postscript or a GIF file of the address for printing, with a barcode! You can also view a street map of the address, from 2 different Internet map sites (MapBlast and MapQuest).

• List of USPS POSTNET Barcodes for International Mail by Douglas Boynton Quine

• What Does the USPS Charge for PLANET/CONFIRM Code Tracking / Tracing?

  The PLANET code program has been operated as a no charge pilot program but it is moving towards a paid service. The "POSTCOM Bulletin" (April 26, 2002 page 6) reports the following three tier pricing structure was filed as a rate case by the USPS on April 24, 2002. (The average mail piece is scanned 3 times on the journey through the USPS.)

  1. Silver: 3 month subscription, 1 mailing ID code, 15 million scans, $2,000 (additional ID mailing codes are $500 each; additional 2 million scans are $500)
  2. Gold: 1 year subscription, 1 mailing ID code, 50 million scans, $4,500 (additional ID mailing codes are $2,000 each; additional 6 million scans are $750)
  3. Platinum: 1 year subscription, 3 mailing ID codes, unlimited scans, $10,000 (additional ID mailing codes are $2,000 each)

More Barcode Information

• POSTNET barcode readers

  I currently know of no source for handheld automatic POSTNET barcode readers. Please email the webmaster: if you find one. High end POSTNET readers and mail processing sorters are available from a variety of vendors including Pitney Bowes, Lockheed Martin, and Siemens.

• Barcodes, Barcodes, Barcodes: https://highrocks.com/barcode/

  Links to everything barcode- Scanners, Software, Labels, Consulting, Printers, articles, trade associations, and more.

• Symbol Technologies: https://www.symbol.com/

  Symbol Technologies web site describes their history and role in Information Technology; the market for Bar Code-Based Systems; their products; PDF417: Symbol's Transformational Technology; manufacturing, sales and support; international reach; and financials.

• Omniplanar Inc: https://www.omniplanar.com/

  Omniplanar, incorporated in 1989, develops advanced sensors and computer hardware and software technology for image processing and related applications. Omniplanar is the only supplier of a complete package of barcode reading software for 2 dimensional CCD hand held readers. SwiftDecoder reads PDF417, MaxiCode, and DataMatrix along with all popular linear symbologies. The Omniplanar web site describes their history and Minicode, VirtualTracker, and SwiftDecode products.

• IDautomation.com, Inc: https://www.idautomation.com/

  IDautomation.com, Inc. is a Developer of PostNet and Planet Barcode Fonts, ActiveX Controls and JavaBeans for business applications.

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  This web page was created December 27, 2002 and last updated September 12, 2023 SSL.
  Copyright (c) 1991-2023 by Douglas B. Quine