Label vs. Badge — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 4, 2024
A label generally refers to a piece of information attached to an object for identification or description, while a badge typically signifies a symbol of achievement, authority, or membership.
Difference Between Label and Badge
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A label is used primarily for identification, providing details like names, contents, instructions, or warnings about an item. On the other hand, a badge often represents a person’s affiliation with an organization, achievement, or qualification.
Labels are commonly found on products, envelopes, or files to impart crucial information and aid in organization. Whereas badges are frequently used in settings like schools, police forces, or conferences to visually communicate someone’s role, status, or accomplishments.
Labels are usually made of paper, plastic, or fabric and are designed to be attached directly to the item they describe. In contrast, badges are typically crafted from metal or plastic and are designed to be worn on clothing.
Labels are essential in environments where information needs to be conveyed quickly and efficiently, such as in supermarkets or warehouses. Badges, however, play a crucial role in security and identification, particularly in professional or specialized environments.
The function of labels extends to safety, as they provide warnings and instructions that prevent misuse of products. Meanwhile, badges can enhance the sense of belonging and recognition within a community or organization.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Information attached to items for identification
Symbol of authority, membership, or achievement
Primary Use
Identification and information
Representation of status or affiliation
Common Materials
Paper, plastic, fabric
Metal, plastic
Typical Settings
Products, files, containers
Schools, workplaces, conferences
Functional Importance
Provides crucial information and instructions
Enhances security, recognition, and belonging
Compare with Definitions
Label
Can be used for organizing and categorizing items.
Labels on the files helped organize the documents efficiently.
Badge
Can be made from a variety of materials, including metal or plastic.
The employee’s badge was crafted from high-quality metal.
Label
A piece of information attached to something for identification.
The label on the bottle lists the ingredients and nutritional information.
Badge
Often worn on clothing to signify a particular role or achievement.
Each volunteer at the event wore a badge indicating their duties.
Label
Often adheres to a surface and can be temporary or permanent.
The shipping label showed the package’s destination.
Badge
Used to promote identity and community within an organization.
At the conference, each participant's badge displayed their company and job title.
Label
Used to warn or provide instructions about the use of a product.
The label on the medicine warns against consuming it with alcohol.
Badge
Enhances security by identifying authorized personnel.
Security at the entrance checked everyone's badge before allowing entry.
Label
Essential in marketing, helping brands convey their message.
The product label was designed to attract eco-conscious consumers.
Badge
A symbol of affiliation, achievement, or authority.
The police officer's badge was clearly visible during the parade.
Label
A label (as distinct from signage) is a piece of paper, plastic film, cloth, metal, or other material affixed to a container or product, on which is written or printed information or symbols about the product or item. Information printed directly on a container or article can also be considered labelling.
Badge
A badge is a device or accessory, often containing the insignia of an organization, which is presented or displayed to indicate some feat of service, a special accomplishment, a symbol of authority granted by taking an oath (e.g., police and fire), a sign of legitimate employment or student status, or as a simple means of identification. They are also used in advertising, publicity, and for branding purposes.
Label
An item used to identify something or someone, as a small piece of paper or cloth attached to an article to designate its origin, owner, contents, use, or destination.
Badge
A device or emblem worn as an insignia of rank, office, or membership in an organization.
Label
A descriptive term; an epithet.
Badge
An emblem given as an award or honor.
Label
A distinctive name or trademark identifying a product or manufacturer, especially a recording company.
Badge
A characteristic mark or indicative trait
“Indifference to what others think is ... the badge of the aristocrat” (Elspeth Huxley).
Label
(Architecture) A molding over a door or window; a dripstone.
Badge
A distinctive mark, token, sign, emblem or cognizance, worn on one's clothing, as an insignia of some rank, or of the membership of an organization.
The badge of a society; the badge of a policeman
Label
(Heraldry) A figure in a field consisting of a narrow horizontal bar with several pendants.
Badge
A small nameplate, identifying the wearer, and often giving additional information.
Label
(Chemistry) See tracer.
Badge
A card, sometimes with a barcode or magnetic strip, granting access to a certain area.
Label
To attach a label to
Labeled the jars before storing them.
Badge
Something characteristic; a mark; a token.
Label
To identify or designate with a descriptive term; describe or classify
"He missed two crucial penalty kicks ... and was labeled a loser by the previously loyal British press" (Phil Ball).
Badge
A brand on the hand of a thief, etc.
Label
(Chemistry) To add a tracer to (a compound).
Badge
(nautical) A carved ornament on the stern of a vessel, containing a window or the representation of one.
Label
A small ticket or sign giving information about something to which it is attached or intended to be attached.
We laughed at her because the label was still on her new sweater.
The label says this silk scarf should not be washed in the washing machine.
Although the label priced this poster at three pounds, I got it for two.
Badge
(heraldry) A distinctive mark worn by servants, retainers, and followers of royalty or nobility, who, being beneath the rank of gentlemen, have no right to armorial bearings.
Label
A name given to something or someone to categorise them as part of a particular social group.
Ever since he started going to the rock club, he's been given the label "waster".
Badge
(GUI) A small overlay on an icon that shows additional information about that item, such as the number of new alerts or messages.
Label
(music) A company that sells records.
The label signed the band after hearing a demo tape.
Badge
An icon or emblem awarded to a user for some achievement.
When you have checked in to the site from ten different cities, you unlock the Traveller badge.
Label
(computing) A user-defined alias for a numerical designation, the reverse of an enumeration.
Storage devices can be given by label or ID.
Badge
(slang) A police officer.
That's why every badge back home wanted to nail him.
Label
(computing) A named place in source code that can be jumped to using a GOTO or equivalent construct.
Badge
(transitive) To mark or distinguish with a badge.
The television was badged as 'GE', but wasn't made by them.
Label
(heraldry) A charge resembling the strap crossing the horse’s chest from which pendants are hung.
Badge
(transitive) To show a badge to.
He calmed down a lot when the policeman badged him.
Label
(obsolete) A tassel.
Badge
(ambitransitive) To enter a restricted area by showing one's badge.
Label
A small strip, especially of paper or parchment (or of some material attached to parchment to carry the seal), but also of iron, brass, land, etc.
Badge
A distinctive mark, token, sign, or cognizance, worn on the person; as, the badge of a society; the badge of a policeman.
Label
A piece of writing added to something, such as a codicil appended to a will.
Badge
Something characteristic; a mark; a token.
Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge.
Label
(historical) A brass rule with sights, formerly used with a circumferentor to take altitudes.
Badge
A carved ornament on the stern of a vessel, containing a window or the representation of one.
Label
(architecture) The projecting moulding by the sides, and over the tops, of openings in mediaeval architecture.
Badge
To mark or distinguish with a badge.
Label
In mediaeval and later art, a representation of a band or scroll containing an inscription.
Badge
An emblem (a small piece of plastic or cloth or metal) that signifies your status (rank or membership or affiliation etc.);
They checked everyone's badge before letting them in
Label
(graphical user interface) A non-interactive control or widget displaying text, often used to describe the purpose of another control.
Badge
Any feature that is regarded as a sign of status (a particular power or quality or rank);
Wearing a tie was regarded as a badge of respectability
Label
(transitive) To put a label (a ticket or sign) on (something).
The shop assistant labeled all the products in the shop.
Badge
Put a badge on;
The workers here must be badged
Label
(ditransitive) To give a label to (someone or something) in order to categorise that person or thing.
He's been unfairly labeled as a cheat, although he's only ever cheated once.
Label
(biochemistry) To replace specific atoms by their isotope in order to track the presence or movement of this isotope through a reaction, metabolic pathway or cell.
Label
(biochemistry) To add a detectable substance, either transiently or permanently, to a biological substance in order to track the presence of the label-substance combination either in situ or in vitro
Label
A tassel.
Label
A slip of silk, paper, parchment, etc., affixed to anything, and indicating, usually by an inscription, the contents, ownership, destination, etc.; as, the label of a bottle or a package.
Label
A slip of ribbon, parchment, etc., attached to a document to hold the appended seal; also, the seal.
Label
A writing annexed by way of addition, as a codicil added to a will.
Label
A barrulet, or, rarely, a bendlet, with pendants, or points, usually three, especially used as a mark of cadency to distinguish an eldest or only son while his father is still living.
Label
A brass rule with sights, formerly used, in connection with a circumferentor, to take altitudes.
Label
The name now generally given to the projecting molding by the sides, and over the tops, of openings in mediæval architecture. It always has a square form, as in the illustration.
Label
In mediæval art, the representation of a band or scroll containing an inscription.
Label
To affix a label to; to mark with a name, etc.; as, to label a bottle or a package.
Label
To affix in or on a label.
Label
A brief description given for purposes of identification;
The label Modern is applied to many different kinds of architecture
Label
Trade name of a company that produces musical recordings;
The artists and repertoire department of a recording label is responsible for finding new talent
Label
A radioactive isotope that is used in a compound in order to trace the mechanism of a chemical reaction
Label
An identifying or descriptive marker that is attached to an object
Label
Assign a label to; designate with a label;
These students were labelled `learning disabled'
Label
Attach a tag or label to;
Label these bottles
Label
Pronounce judgment on;
They labeled him unfit to work here
Label
Distinguish (as a compound or molecule) by introducing a labeled atom
Label
Distinguish (an element or atom) by using a radioactive isotope or an isotope of unusual mass for tracing through chemical reactions
Common Curiosities
What is a label?
A label is a tag or sticker attached to an object to provide information or instructions.
What is a badge?
A badge is a distinctive emblem worn to indicate one's membership, authority, or achievement.
Why are badges important in schools and workplaces?
Badges in schools and workplaces identify roles and foster a sense of community and belonging.
What materials are used to make badges?
Badges are commonly made from metals like brass or plastic.
What are some creative uses of badges?
Badges can be used creatively in gamification in educational or professional settings to motivate and acknowledge accomplishments.
Can labels be used for safety purposes?
Yes, labels often contain safety warnings and instructions to prevent accidents and ensure proper use of products.
Where are labels commonly used?
Labels are used on products, files, and containers for identification and to provide other important information.
What materials are used to make labels?
Labels are typically made from materials like paper, plastic, or fabric.
How do badges enhance security?
Badges help in identifying authorized personnel in restricted areas, enhancing security.
Can a badge be digital?
Yes, digital badges are used especially in online platforms to signify achievements or qualifications.
What should be considered when designing a label?
Considerations include legibility, adherence to regulatory standards, and effective communication of the message.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
