Free Tool
ITF-14 Barcode Generator
Enter 13 digits and the check digit is added, or enter all 14 and it is verified. Download the carton barcode as a PNG or SVG, free and with no signup.
Private by design: the barcode is built in your browser. What you type is never uploaded or stored.
About this barcode
The barcode for cartons and cases
ITF-14 is the barcode used on outer packaging: the cartons and cases that hold several retail items. It carries fourteen digits, thirteen plus a check digit, in a format called Interleaved 2 of 5, where each pair of digits is interleaved so that the bars carry one digit and the spaces carry the next.
The fourteen digits form a GTIN-14. The first digit is a packaging indicator, such as a different digit for an inner pack and a case, followed by the product number of the items inside and the check digit. A warehouse scanner can then tell a case of twelve from the single item inside it.
The single items inside the carton carry an EAN-13, so a till and a loading dock each get the barcode that suits them.
Where it is used
Where ITF-14 is used
Cartons and cases. Outer packaging that goes through distribution centres and warehouses.
Pallet and layer labels. Handling units that need a trade-item number a scanner can read quickly.
Corrugated board. ITF is robust when printed directly on rough, uneven board.
Distribution and logistics. Receiving and picking, where scanners read the case while the item stays sealed.
Packaging design. Artwork for cartons needs the code in the right place and the right proportion.
Internal case labels. For codes that carry your own text, Code 128 lets you choose any characters.
How to use it
Three simple steps
1. Enter the digits
Type 13 digits and the check digit is calculated, or 14 digits to have the last one verified.
2. Look at the preview
The tool confirms the check digit it added, or explains exactly why a number cannot be used.
3. Download and test
Save a PNG or SVG, print it at the size and on the material you plan to use, and scan a sample.
The details
Digits, pairs and the check digit
ITF-14 holds fourteen digits and nothing else. Because Interleaved 2 of 5 always works in pairs, the number of digits must be even, which fourteen is. The tool rejects letters and gives you the exact length it expects.
The check digit is worked out from the first thirteen digits. Starting from the right, they are multiplied alternately by 3 and 1, the results are added, and the check digit brings the total to a multiple of ten. For 1234567890123 it is 1, giving 12345678901231. The tool adds it when you enter thirteen digits, and verifies it when you enter fourteen.
Printed ITF-14 labels usually have a bold frame around the bars, called bearer bars. They help scanners cope with uneven printing on cardboard. This generator draws the bars and the number without a frame, so if your printing process needs bearer bars, add them in your label design.
The number under the bars
Set the number in your own font
The fourteen digits under the bars are what a person reads if a scan fails. Search the font box and choose a face from the ProFont font library. It is used in the PNG download. The SVG uses a standard font so it opens the same on any device.
Number font ideas
Pick a font for the number
Carton labels are read at arm’s length, so bold, condensed and monospaced faces work well. Three to try:
Guides worth reading
Type guides to go with your barcode
Shipping labels and warehouse signage share the same type rules:
Questions
ITF-14 barcode FAQ
What is the first digit?
It is the packaging indicator in a GTIN-14. Different values mark different levels of packaging, such as an inner pack and a case.
Do I enter 13 or 14 digits?
Either. With 13 digits the check digit is added, and with 14 the last digit is verified.
What are bearer bars and are they included?
They are the frame printed around the bars on cartons, which helps with uneven printing. This tool does not draw them, so add them in your label design if you need them.
Can an ITF-14 hold letters?
No. It holds fourteen digits only. For letters, use Code 128.
Do cartons need a number from GS1?
Trade-item numbers are normally derived from your GS1 company prefix. A made-up number could clash with another company’s.
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