How to use the itf-14 barcode generator
- Enter up to 13 digits of your GTIN-14 number into the Data field. If you enter fewer than 13 digits, leading zeros are added automatically.
- If you already have all 14 digits, type them in full. The tool will verify the check digit for you.
- Choose a Background of white or transparent depending on your label design.
- Click Generate to produce the ITF-14 barcode as an SVG with bearer bars.
- Download or copy the SVG to use on your shipping carton artwork.
How the ITF-14 check digit is calculated
The ITF-14 barcode encodes exactly 14 digits. When you supply 13 digits, the 14th is a Modulo 10 check digit computed from the first 13. Starting from the rightmost of the 13 digits, alternate multiplying by 3 and 1, then sum the results.
For example, with the input 0123456789012:
- Multiply odd positions from the right by 3: 2x3 + 0x3 + 8x3 + 6x3 + 4x3 + 2x3 + 0x3 = 66
- Multiply even positions from the right by 1: 1x1 + 9x1 + 7x1 + 5x1 + 3x1 + 1x1 + 0x1 = 26
- Total sum = 66 + 26 = 92
- Check digit = (10 - (92 mod 10)) mod 10 = (10 - 2) mod 10 = 8
The final encoded value is 01234567890128.
Understanding bearer bars
A defining feature of the ITF-14 barcode is the bearer bar: a thick rectangular border that completely surrounds the symbol. Bearer bars serve two purposes. First, they improve scanning reliability on rough surfaces like corrugated cardboard by ensuring the scanner beam always crosses the full height of the bars. Second, they protect against misreads caused by partial scans where the beam enters or exits the barcode at an angle.
In this ITF-14 barcode generator, the bearer bars are drawn as a continuous rectangle around the entire symbol. The quiet zone (the required clear space outside the bearer bar) is included in the SVG canvas so the symbol meets GS1 dimensional guidelines when printed at the correct scale.
Interleaved 2 of 5 encoding
ITF-14 uses the Interleaved 2 of 5 symbology, which encodes pairs of digits together. The first digit of each pair is represented by the widths of the black bars, and the second digit is represented by the widths of the white spaces between them. Each digit is defined by five elements: two wide and three narrow.
Because digits are encoded in pairs, the total number of digits must be even. ITF-14 always has 14 digits, satisfying this requirement. A start pattern (narrow-narrow-narrow-narrow) and a stop pattern (wide-narrow-narrow) frame the data. For more details on the underlying symbology, see the interleaved 2 of 5 barcode generator.
Common ITF-14 values reference
The table below shows several sample inputs and their resulting 14-digit encoded values with valid check digits.
| Input (13 digits) | Check digit | Encoded value (14 digits) |
|---|---|---|
| 0001234567890 | 5 | 00012345678905 |
| 0123456789012 | 8 | 01234567890128 |
| 1001234567890 | 2 | 10012345678902 |
| 0000000000000 | 0 | 00000000000000 |
| 9999999999999 | 7 | 99999999999997 |
When to use ITF-14 versus other formats
ITF-14 is specifically designed for outer packaging and shipping cartons. It carries a GTIN-14 number, which identifies a trade item at the case or pallet level. Unlike retail symbols such as those produced by an EAN-13 barcode generator, ITF-14 is not intended for point-of-sale scanning.
If you need to encode variable-length logistics data such as batch numbers or expiration dates alongside the GTIN, consider using a GS1-128 barcode generator instead. For general-purpose alphanumeric labels, Code 128 offers greater flexibility. ITF-14 remains the standard choice when the only requirement is a fixed 14-digit GTIN printed directly on brown cardboard.
Worked examples
| Example | Input | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Standard carton | Data (up to 13 digits): 0123456789012; Background: white | Encoded value: 01234567890128; Check digit: 8; Symbology: Interleaved 2 of 5; Bearer bars: Included |
| Full 14 digits | Data (up to 13 digits): 10012345678902; Background: white | Encoded value: 10012345678902; Check digit: 2; Symbology: Interleaved 2 of 5; Bearer bars: Included |
| Transparent background | Data (up to 13 digits): 00012345678905; Background: transparent | Encoded value: 00012345678905; Check digit: 5; Symbology: Interleaved 2 of 5; Bearer bars: Included |
FAQ
What is an ITF-14 barcode?
ITF-14 is a GS1-standard barcode used on shipping cartons and outer cases. It encodes a 14-digit GTIN using the Interleaved 2 of 5 symbology and includes a thick border called a bearer bar.
How many digits does ITF-14 require?
Exactly 14 digits. You can enter 13 digits and the check digit will be calculated automatically, or enter all 14 digits and the tool will validate the check digit for you.
Why does ITF-14 have a thick border?
The border is called a bearer bar. It ensures reliable scanning on rough surfaces like corrugated cardboard by preventing partial reads and improving print quality tolerance.
Can I use ITF-14 on retail products?
No. ITF-14 is meant for outer packaging and logistics. Retail items scanned at checkout typically use EAN-13 or UPC-A symbols instead.
Is my data sent to a server?
No. This ITF-14 barcode generator computes everything locally in your browser. Nothing is uploaded or transmitted.
What happens if I enter fewer than 13 digits?
The tool pads your input with leading zeros to reach 13 digits before calculating the check digit. For example, entering 123 becomes 0000000000123.
How do I print the generated SVG?
Download the SVG file and open it in vector editing software or send it directly to a label printer. Make sure to maintain the minimum X dimension specified by GS1 for your scanning environment.