How many digits is Ticketmaster barcode?

Ticketmaster barcodes are typically 16 or 17 digits long. The exact number of digits can vary depending on the type of event and ticket.

Typical Ticketmaster Barcode Length

Here is some additional information on the typical length of Ticketmaster barcodes:

• Concert tickets – 16 digits
• Sporting event tickets – 16 digits
• Theater/Broadway tickets – 16 digits
• VIP/Platinum tickets – 17 digits

So in most cases, Ticketmaster barcodes will be 16 digits long. The main exception is for certain premium or VIP tickets which may have a 17 digit barcode.

Barcode Format

A Ticketmaster barcode contains more than just a random string of numbers. The digits are organized into different components that provide information about the ticket.

Here is an overview of what each part of a 16 digit Ticketmaster barcode means:

• Digits 1-4 – The event number
• Digits 5-6 – The date of the event in YY format
• Digits 7-12 – The specific ticket number
• Digits 13-16 – Check digits used internally for verification

For 17 digit VIP barcodes, an additional digit is added at the beginning to indicate it is a premium ticket.

Other Key Facts

Here are some other key facts about Ticketmaster barcodes:

• The numbers are not randomly generated – they contain coded information
• Each ticket for a specific event will have a unique barcode
• The barcodes are generated when the tickets are created
• The check digits help prevent fraud or duplication
• The barcode contains no personal customer data

Scanning the Barcodes

Ticketmaster barcodes are designed to be scanned electronically at the venue to verify a ticket’s validity. Here is a bit more about the scanning process:

• Barcodes are scanned using handheld optical scanners or stationary scanners
• The barcode info is checked against Ticketmaster’s database in real-time
• This verifies the ticket is genuine, unused, and assigned to that event
• If valid, the gate attendee will allow entry. If not, the ticket may be denied.

This scanning process happens in just a split second to allow fast and efficient entry. It provides an added layer of security versus paper-only tickets.

Why the Length Matters

The standardized 16 or 17 digit length allows Ticketmaster barcodes to be efficiently scanned at venues. Some key reasons why the length matters include:

• Scanners are programmed to read barcodes of that exact length
• It allows consistent spacing and sizing for printing barcodes
• It provides enough digits to encode vital ticket information
• Shorter barcodes would not have enough digits for uniqueness
• Longer barcodes would be harder to print and scan efficiently

Changes Over Time

While Ticketmaster has standardized on 16 or 17 digit barcodes today, that has not always been the case.

In the early days of Ticketmaster, they used shorter 9 digit barcodes. As more events and ticket options were added, they expanded the length for increased uniqueness.

The table below summarizes the evolution of Ticketmaster’s barcode lengths over time:

While the exact lengths have changed, Ticketmaster has consistently incorporated encoded information and check digits into all versions of their barcodes.

Going Beyond Ticketmaster

Ticketmaster is the largest ticketing company, but there are other companies using similar barcodes for their tickets. These include AXS, Vivint Arena, and Tickets.com.

In most cases, non-Ticketmaster barcodes will also be 16 or 17 digits in length. This standardized approach allows venues to process tickets from different companies efficiently and consistently.

However, it is also possible for other ticketing barcodes to be longer or shorter in some cases. Each company can use their own system, so there is no universal standard across all platforms.

Conclusion

To summarize, the vast majority of Ticketmaster barcodes are 16 digits long, with a few premium tickets having 17 digit codes. The exact length matters because it allows the numerical barcode to encode important ticket details and be scanned electronically for verification. While the digits may look random, they actually contain standardized information that gets validated when you enter the event. So next time you look at the barcode on your ticket, know that its standardized 16 or 17 digit format is carefully designed to provide an efficient and secure ticketing process.