Introduction
Need to generate an ITF-14 barcode for a shipping carton or outer container? ITF-14 (Interleaved 2 of 5, 14 digits) is the GS1 standard barcode for cartons, cases, and shipping containers that contain multiple units of a retail product. This tool generates scannable ITF-14 barcodes using JsBarcode. Enter your 13 or 14 digit GTIN-14 code and the barcode renders as an SVG image. The check digit is calculated automatically if you provide 13 digits. No data leaves your browser.
What this tool does
- Generates scannable ITF-14 barcodes as SVG images using the JsBarcode library.
- Accepts 13 or 14 digit input. With 13 digits, the check digit is computed and appended automatically.
- Uses the Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF) symbology with 14-digit fixed length as specified by GS1.
- Renders the barcode with human-readable text below the bars.
- Runs entirely client-side with no network requests.
How this tool works
Enter 13 or 14 digits into the input field. If you enter 13 digits, the tool computes the GTIN-14 check digit (mod-10 with alternating weights of 3 and 1) and appends it. The barcode renders as an SVG image below the tool panel using the Interleaved 2 of 5 symbology. The barcode updates instantly as you type. You can right-click the SVG to save it or print it directly.
How ITF-14 barcodes work
ITF-14 uses the Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF) barcode symbology to encode 14 numeric digits. ITF is a continuous, self-checking barcode where digits are encoded in pairs: one digit in the bars and the next digit in the spaces. This interleaving gives ITF its high density, as both bars and spaces carry data.
Each digit is encoded using 5 elements (2 wide and 3 narrow) selected from a set of 10 patterns. The '2 of 5' name comes from the fact that 2 out of 5 elements are wide. The interleaving means that even-positioned digits are encoded in the bars and odd-positioned digits are encoded in the spaces, allowing two digits to fit in the width that a non-interleaved code would use for one.
The 14-digit GTIN-14 structure is: 1 digit packaging indicator (0-8, indicating the packaging level), 7 digits GS1 company prefix, 5 digits item reference, and 1 digit check digit. The check digit uses the same mod-10 algorithm as EAN-13 and UPC-A: multiply each of the first 13 digits by alternating weights of 3 and 1 (starting with 3 for the first digit), sum the products, and compute (10 - (sum mod 10)) mod 10.
ITF-14 is defined in the GS1 General Specifications. It is specifically designed for printing on corrugated cardboard and other packaging materials where print quality may be lower than on product labels. The wide bars and quiet zones make it tolerant of ink spread, which is common on corrugated materials.
The GS1-128 barcode can also encode GTIN-14 using Application Identifier (01), and it is sometimes preferred over ITF-14 because it can carry additional data like batch numbers and expiration dates. However, ITF-14 is simpler and cheaper to print, making it the standard for cases and cartons that do not need additional data.
How to use this tool
- Enter 13 or 14 digits into the input field. For 13 digits, the check digit is computed automatically.
- The barcode renders as an SVG image below the tool panel.
- Right-click the SVG image to save it, or use your browser's print function to print it.
- Scan the printed barcode with an ITF-14-compatible scanner to verify it reads correctly.
Real-world examples
Generating a carton barcode
A manufacturer ships cases of a product with GTIN-14 10012345678905 (packaging indicator 1, company prefix 0012345, item reference 67890, check digit 5). He enters 1001234567890 (13 digits) into the tool. The check digit 5 is computed and appended, giving 10012345678905. The ITF-14 barcode renders and he prints it on the case label.
Printing barcodes for mixed pallets
A distributor creates mixed pallets containing different products. Each carton on the pallet needs an ITF-14 barcode. For each product, the distributor enters the 13-digit GTIN-14 base code into the tool, saves the SVG, and prints barcodes on adhesive labels. The barcodes scan correctly at the receiving warehouse.
Verifying an existing ITF-14
A warehouse manager receives a shipment with an ITF-14 barcode on the carton. He reads the 14 digits under the barcode and enters them into the tool. The barcode renders and matches the printed one on the carton. He scans it with his handheld scanner and it reads correctly, confirming the barcode is valid.
Comparison with similar methods
| Method | Complexity | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| ITF-14 | Fixed 14 digits, ITF symbology, mod-10 check | Cartons, cases, shipping containers (GS1) |
| EAN-13 | Fixed 13 digits, mod-10 check | Individual retail products |
| GS1-128 (Code 128 + AI) | Variable length, full ASCII, mod-10 check | Cartons with batch/expiry data |
| UPC-A | Fixed 12 digits, mod-10 check | North American retail products |
Limitations or considerations
ITF-14 encodes 14 numeric digits only. It cannot encode alphanumeric data or additional information like batch numbers or expiration dates. For those use cases, use GS1-128 (available in the Barcode Generator with Code 128 format). ITF-14 requires a quiet zone (blank space) of at least 10 modules on each side for reliable scanning. The generated SVG includes margins, but verify that your printing process preserves the quiet zones. For production use, verify the barcode scans correctly with your target scanner.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ITF-14 and EAN-13?
EAN-13 encodes 13 digits and is used on individual retail products. ITF-14 encodes 14 digits and is used on cartons and shipping containers. The first digit of ITF-14 is the packaging indicator, which indicates the packaging level (e.g., case, pallet). The remaining digits typically correspond to the EAN-13 or UPC-A of the product inside, with the check digit recalculated.
What does the packaging indicator digit mean?
The first digit of GTIN-14 (the packaging indicator) ranges from 0 to 8. Values 1-8 indicate different packaging levels (e.g., 1 for a case, 3 for a pallet). Value 0 indicates that the GTIN-14 identifies a base unit (not a larger package). The specific meaning is defined by the company assigning the code.
Can I use ITF-14 for individual products?
ITF-14 is designed for outer containers (cartons, cases, pallets), not individual products. Individual products should use EAN-13, UPC-A, or EAN-8. Using ITF-14 on individual products may cause scanning issues at retail point-of-sale systems.
What is Interleaved 2 of 5?
Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF) is the barcode symbology used by ITF-14. It encodes digits in pairs, with one digit in the bars and the next in the spaces. This interleaving makes it more compact than non-interleaved 2 of 5 codes. ITF only supports numeric digits (0-9).
Conclusion
This ITF-14 barcode generator creates scannable carton and container barcodes as SVG images with automatic check digit computation. It runs entirely in your browser and renders instantly. For other barcode formats, try the Barcode Generator, the UPC Generator, or the Code 93 Generator.