To obtain a method and a device for decoding a profile in which a narrow element in symbology using an element type having single width can not be decoded.

This method generates a series of counts from a certain symbol by using a standard waveform forming and counting circuit 142, determines X-dimension corresponding to elements having the width of '1' based upon initial several counts corresponding to a bar after counts corresponding to a quiet zone, searches start and stop characters, and then determines whether the symbol is on a focus position or not. When the symbol is out of the focus, a group of odd numbered elements with the width of '1' is converted into a large count corresponding to a false element. In the method, counts are grouped into individual characters and all false elements are divided into elements each having the width of '1' and then the symbol is decoded.