Each GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional symbol contains 46 bars and spaces in a total of 96 modules.

The symbol comprises the following elements:

• Left guard pattern (narrow space, narrow bar)

• Left pair of symbol characters with a finder pattern between that contains a check digit

• Right pair of symbol characters with a finder pattern between that contains a check digit

• Right guard pattern (narrow space, narrow bar)

The first digit is a flag that indicates whether the barcode is part of a composite barcode, and the 13 digits that follow comprise the data characters. The data itself is split into four groups called "symbol characters," which are interspersed between the two finder patterns. The left and right symbol characters are always read beginning with the character to the outside of the finder pattern. Therefore, the sequence in which symbol characters are read is: first, second, fourth, third.

The elements within each character are always read toward the finder pattern, so the second and third characters are read from right to left.

The outside characters (first and third) are 16 modules wide with four bars and four spaces. The inside characters (second and fourth) are 15 modules wide with four bars and four spaces. The finder patterns are each 15 modules wide. The first finder pattern has three spaces and two bars, and the second has two spaces and three bars.

A quiet zone is not required.

This symbology supports all numeric digits (0-9).

GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional contains check digits in the finder patterns that use the modulo 79 (mod 79) algorithm for error correction.