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The quiet zone of a barcode is that area around the barcode that is required to be blank to help barcode readers recognize the barcode area that must be read. The required quiet zone varies from one barcode to another; it may be required only on either end of the barcode, on all four sides of the barcode (2D symbologies), or not at all.

A successful quiet zone should usually be the greater of either ten times the width of the narrowest bar or space in the barcode or 1/4 inch, depending on the symbology.

All quiet zones should be kept unobstructed so that the barcode can be reliably read.