How to use order barcodes in WooCommerce
The short answer
WooCommerce does not generate or scan order barcodes by itself. For a one-off job, you can turn an order number into a barcode and print it manually, but a barcode extension is the practical route when codes must appear in emails, customer accounts and staff check-in workflows.
What you need
- A WooCommerce store on WordPress 6.0 or later
- Administrator access to WordPress
- A clear use case such as packing, collection, reservations or event check-in
- A USB barcode scanner or smartphone scanning app if staff will scan codes
The fast route
Get WooCommerce Order Barcodes
Let WooCommerce Order Barcodes do it
Generates printable QR and barcode IDs for orders, ideal for faster reservations, packing, fulfillment, and check-in workflows.
Questions
- Does WooCommerce generate order barcodes by default?
- No. WooCommerce does not include a built-in order barcode generator or barcode scanning workflow. You can use an order number as the value and create barcode images manually, but automatic generation, email display and scan actions require an extension or custom development.
- Can one barcode identify every item in an order?
- An order barcode normally identifies the whole order, not each product or variation inside it. That is suitable for collection, reservations, packing checks and event entry. If warehouse staff need a separate code for every item, use product or inventory barcodes in addition to the order-level code.
- Which barcode type should I use for WooCommerce orders?
- Use Code 128 when you have a standard USB barcode scanner. Use a QR code or Data Matrix code when staff will scan with smartphones or tablets. Test the smallest printed version you plan to use, because a code that scans on a large monitor may fail on a small label.
- How do staff scan a WooCommerce order barcode?
- Create a WordPress page containing the extension’s scan form, such as <code>[scan_barcode]</code>, then use a USB scanner or a phone scanning keyboard to enter the code. The staff account must have the required WooCommerce capability unless you deliberately change the permission handling. The scan form can look up, complete, check in or check out an order.
- Why is the barcode missing from an old order?
- Older orders may not receive a barcode until you open the order page in the WordPress dashboard. Also check that you are viewing the correct order, that the extension is active, and that email or print software is not blocking images. Barcode setting changes generally apply only to future codes, not ones already created.