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ITF-14 barcode generator

ITF-14 barcode generator for cartons

The carton holding several units of a product has its own number, the GTIN-14, drawn as ITF-14: a digits-only code with a frame of bars around it, built to be printed straight on corrugated board. What changes from the unit EAN is small, but the check digit has to be recomputed.

From the unit EAN to the carton GTIN-14

The GTIN-14 has 14 digits: a packaging indicator from 1 to 8 (9 is reserved for variable-measure items), the first 12 digits of the unit EAN-13, without its check digit, and a new check digit computed over the resulting 13 digits. For the item 7891234567895 and a carton with indicator 1, the digits are 1 and 789123456789, and the check digit of the set is 2, giving 17891234567892. The check digit of the item EAN does not carry over, because the number changed. If you type 13 digits the tool completes the 14th; if you type 14 and the last is wrong, it refuses and shows the right one.
ITF-14 uses Interleaved 2 of 5: digits are encoded in pairs, where the first digit of the pair goes in the bars and the second in the spaces, interleaved. A 14-digit symbol has 7 pairs of 18 modules, plus 4 for the start and 5 for the stop, or 135 modules. Around it are the bearer bars, a frame the tool draws 4 modules thick, and a 10-module quiet zone, which brings the drawing to 163 modules wide. The frame protects against the uneven bar squashing that printing on corrugated board tends to cause and helps the scanner sweep the whole symbol.
One limit to respect: ITF-14 identifies cartons and shipping packs, not the item that goes through a store checkout. It can appear on the carton, but the product sold to the consumer still carries the EAN-13 or UPC-A. ITF-14 modules are usually much larger than EAN modules, precisely because of the cardboard, and the exact size and bearer thickness are in the GS1 general specification, which is worth checking before a print run.

Carton numbers and what the tool answers

Carton of 12 units (indicator 1)

Input: 1789123456789
Expected output: 17891234567892

Indicator 1 plus the first 12 digits of the item; the recomputed check digit is 2.

The same idea with the 590 sample EAN

Input: 1590123412345
Expected output: 15901234123454

The item check digit was 7, and the carton one is 4, because the digits changed.

A 12-digit UPC padded with zeros

Input: 0061414199999
Expected output: 00614141999996

This is the GS1 sample GTIN-14 for the UPC 614141999996, with indicator 0.

Wrong check digit typed

Input: 17891234567890
Expected output: Recusado: o verificador correto é 2

A GTIN-14 with a wrong check digit would be refused by the distribution center system.

Full tool FAQ

Which barcode should I use for a product sold in stores?

EAN-13 in most of the world, UPC-A in the United States and Canada, and EAN-8 on very small packages. Books use ISBN-13. The number has to come from your country's GS1 office; this tool only draws the bars.

Is an EAN-13 generated here a valid product code?

PNG or SVG: which one should I download?

How is the EAN check digit calculated?

Code 128 or Code 39?

When should I use ITF-14?

Why does my scanner not read the printed code?

Does the code data go to any server?

Frequently asked questions

Is ITF-14 the same as DUN-14?

In everyday use, yes: DUN-14 is the old name for the carton's 14-digit number, and ITF-14 is the symbology it is usually printed in. Today the correct term for the number is GTIN-14.

Do I need to register the GTIN-14 with GS1?

It derives from your company prefix, so it is only legitimate if the item EAN is yours. Registering the carton follows the rules of your GS1 organization; the generator only draws the number.

Why does ITF-14 only take an even number of digits?

Because the digits go in pairs, one in the bars and one in the spaces. The GTIN-14 has 14 digits, which is even. In the tool's generic ITF, an odd count gets a zero in front, with a notice.

Is the frame around the bars mandatory?

For carton ITF-14, the GS1 specification provides for them, and the tool always draws them. Confirm the thickness and position with logistics or the print shop before printing a run.

Next steps

From the unit EAN to the carton GTIN-14

The GTIN-14 has 14 digits: a packaging indicator from 1 to 8 (9 is reserved for variable-measure items), the first 12 digits of the unit EAN-13, without its check digit, and a new check digit computed over the resulting 13 digits. For the item 7891234567895 and a carton with indicator 1, the digits are 1 and 789123456789, and the check digit of the set is 2, giving 17891234567892. The check digit of the item EAN does not carry over, because the number changed. If you type 13 digits the tool completes the 14th; if you type 14 and the last is wrong, it refuses and shows the right one.

ITF-14 uses Interleaved 2 of 5: digits are encoded in pairs, where the first digit of the pair goes in the bars and the second in the spaces, interleaved. A 14-digit symbol has 7 pairs of 18 modules, plus 4 for the start and 5 for the stop, or 135 modules. Around it are the bearer bars, a frame the tool draws 4 modules thick, and a 10-module quiet zone, which brings the drawing to 163 modules wide. The frame protects against the uneven bar squashing that printing on corrugated board tends to cause and helps the scanner sweep the whole symbol.

One limit to respect: ITF-14 identifies cartons and shipping packs, not the item that goes through a store checkout. It can appear on the carton, but the product sold to the consumer still carries the EAN-13 or UPC-A. ITF-14 modules are usually much larger than EAN modules, precisely because of the cardboard, and the exact size and bearer thickness are in the GS1 general specification, which is worth checking before a print run.

Carton numbers and what the tool answers

Carton of 12 units (indicator 1)

Input: 1789123456789
Expected output: 17891234567892

Indicator 1 plus the first 12 digits of the item; the recomputed check digit is 2.

The same idea with the 590 sample EAN

Input: 1590123412345
Expected output: 15901234123454

The item check digit was 7, and the carton one is 4, because the digits changed.

A 12-digit UPC padded with zeros

Input: 0061414199999
Expected output: 00614141999996

This is the GS1 sample GTIN-14 for the UPC 614141999996, with indicator 0.

Wrong check digit typed

Input: 17891234567890
Expected output: Recusado: o verificador correto é 2

A GTIN-14 with a wrong check digit would be refused by the distribution center system.

Full tool FAQ

Which barcode should I use for a product sold in stores?

Is an EAN-13 generated here a valid product code?

PNG or SVG: which one should I download?

How is the EAN check digit calculated?

Code 128 or Code 39?

When should I use ITF-14?

Why does my scanner not read the printed code?

Does the code data go to any server?

Frequently asked questions

Is ITF-14 the same as DUN-14?

In everyday use, yes: DUN-14 is the old name for the carton's 14-digit number, and ITF-14 is the symbology it is usually printed in. Today the correct term for the number is GTIN-14.

Do I need to register the GTIN-14 with GS1?

It derives from your company prefix, so it is only legitimate if the item EAN is yours. Registering the carton follows the rules of your GS1 organization; the generator only draws the number.

Why does ITF-14 only take an even number of digits?

Because the digits go in pairs, one in the bars and one in the spaces. The GTIN-14 has 14 digits, which is even. In the tool's generic ITF, an odd count gets a zero in front, with a notice.

Is the frame around the bars mandatory?

For carton ITF-14, the GS1 specification provides for them, and the tool always draws them. Confirm the thickness and position with logistics or the print shop before printing a run.