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For 135 film cartridges the DX number is [[hash function|hashed]] to produce a four digit code. A suffix digit for the number of exposures and a manufacturer's proprietary prefix digit are concatenated to form a 6 digit decimal code. The code is printed in human-readable text and also represented as an [[Interleaved 2 of 5]] [[barcode]]. Size and position conform to the [[ANSI]]/NAPM IT1.14:1994 standard.
For 135 film cartridges the DX number is [[hash function|hashed]] to produce a four digit code. A suffix digit for the number of exposures and a manufacturer's proprietary prefix digit are concatenated to form a 6 digit decimal code. The code is printed in human-readable text and also represented as an [[Interleaved 2 of 5]] [[barcode]]. Size and position conform to the [[ANSI]]/NAPM IT1.14:1994 standard.


To generate digits 2 through 5, the combination code is multiplied by 16 and added to the specifier code. For the Agfa film 115-4 above, the digits would be 1844 (16 × 115 + 4).
To generate digits 2 through 5, the combination code is multiplied by 16 and added to the specifier code. The result is padded out with prefixed zeroes to make 4 digits. For the Agfa film 115-4 above, the digits would be 1844 (16 × 115 + 4).


Digit 1 is any digit from 0 to 9 and is assigned by the manufacturer.
Digit 1 is any digit from 0 to 9 and is assigned by the manufacturer.

Revision as of 01:28, 19 May 2007

DX I2/5 barcode on a 135 film cartridge

The DX number is a number, assigned by the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A), that uniquely identifies the type and manufacturer (sensitizer) of a film emulsion. A list of assigned DX numbers for APS and 135 film is prepared as needed. (DX Codes for 135-Size Film, 2004, I3A)

DX number composition

A DX number has two parts separated by a dash: the "combination code" also known as "DX Number Part 1 "followed by a "specifier number", or "DX Number Part 2". For example, Agfa's Perutz 3 color 200 ISO film is assigned 115-4 (I3A)

DX barcode

For 135 film cartridges the DX number is hashed to produce a four digit code. A suffix digit for the number of exposures and a manufacturer's proprietary prefix digit are concatenated to form a 6 digit decimal code. The code is printed in human-readable text and also represented as an Interleaved 2 of 5 barcode. Size and position conform to the ANSI/NAPM IT1.14:1994 standard.

To generate digits 2 through 5, the combination code is multiplied by 16 and added to the specifier code. The result is padded out with prefixed zeroes to make 4 digits. For the Agfa film 115-4 above, the digits would be 1844 (16 × 115 + 4).

Digit 1 is any digit from 0 to 9 and is assigned by the manufacturer.

Digit 6 is a code digit for the number of full-frame exposures. Typically 1 is for 12 exposures, 3 for 24, 4 for 36, and 7 for 27.

The barcode is located between the electrically-read silver and black DX Camera Auto-Sensing Code and the film cartridge exit lip.

The barcode is optically scanned by many film-processing machines when the cartridge is inserted for developing. (Kodak patent 5761558)

See also