ITF-14
Published by the QRinsec Editorial Team — practical documentation about QR codes, barcode standards, and QRinsec’s client-side tools. Content is reviewed against product testing and published technical documentation from sources such as GS1, Denso Wave, and ISO standards where applicable.
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ITF-14 is a 14-digit Interleaved 2 of 5 barcode that encodes a GTIN-14, identifying a product at the carton or case level.
Important Notice
ITF-14 is a case-level barcode only — never print it on individual consumer retail units.
Important Notice
Bearer bars are mandatory on corrugated cardboard per GS1 specifications; omitting them causes scan failures.
Key Facts
- Digits
- 14 (GTIN-14)
- Substrate
- Corrugated cardboard / cases
- Check Digit
- Modulo 10
- Bearer Bars
- Mandatory on corrugated
- Nominal Width
- 142.75 mm @ 100%
What is an ITF-14 barcode?
ITF-14 (Interleaved 2 of 5, 14 digits) is the standard barcode for encoding a 14-digit GTIN-14 on corrugated cardboard boxes and outer shipping cartons. It uses the Interleaved 2 of 5 symbology — a high-density numeric-only format where bars represent one digit and spaces represent the interleaved adjacent digit. ITF-14 is required by many major retailers (Walmart, Costco, Target) on all master-case packaging.
The 14 digits explained
Digit 1: Packaging indicator (0 = each, 1–8 = case variants, 9 = variable measure). Digits 2–7: GS1 Company Prefix. Digits 8–13: Item Reference. Digit 14: Modulo 10 check digit.
The 14-digit GTIN-14 is formed by prepending a packaging indicator to the 13-digit GTIN-13 of the contained consumer unit (removing its check digit and recalculating).
Check digit algorithm (Modulo 10)
Same Modulo 10 algorithm as EAN-13:
- Multiply odd-position digits (1,3,5…13) by 3.
- Multiply even-position digits (2,4,6…12) by 1.
- Sum all products.
- Check = (10 − (sum mod 10)) mod 10.
Example for 10614141000415: Odd (1,6,4,4,0,4) ×3 = 57. Even (0,1,1,1,0,1) ×1 = 4. Total=61. Check=(10−1)=5 — but verify with your generator as the example uses illustrative digits.
ITF-14 vs. GS1-128 vs. GS1 DataBar
Both ITF-14 and GS1-128 encode GTIN-14 for case-level identification, but GS1-128 can carry additional Application Identifiers (batch, expiry, serial). ITF-14 is preferred on corrugated cardboard because it tolerates the rough surface better — its bearer bars protect symbol edges from damage. GS1 DataBar Expanded targets small items and fresh produce at the point of sale.
When to use ITF-14
Use ITF-14 on:
- Corrugated shipping cases and outers.
- Palletised goods requiring case-level scanning.
- Retailer-specific master-case requirements (confirm with each trading partner).
Do not print ITF-14 on individual consumer units — it is a case-level symbol only.
Printing requirements
Nominal size: 142.75 mm × 32 mm. X-dimension range: 0.635 mm–1.27 mm (direct print on corrugated: min 0.762 mm). Bearer bars: 4.8× X-dimension wide horizontal bars top and bottom are mandatory per GS1 specifications on corrugated. Quiet zones: 10× X-dimension each side. Print resolution ≥203 dpi (300 dpi preferred).
Common scanning failures
Missing bearer bars allow corrugated flute lines to create phantom bar patterns — always include bearer bars on cardboard. Low print resolution causes bar-width deviation exceeding the ±20% tolerance. Test with a GS1-compliant verifier rated for corrugated substrates.
Comparison
| Feature | ITF-14 | GS1-128 | GS1 DataBar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Capacity | 14 digits only | Variable (with AIs) | Variable |
| Substrate | Corrugated / cases | Labels / cases | Small items / POS |
| Bearer Bars | Mandatory (corrugated) | Not required | Not applicable |
| Additional AIs? | No | Yes | Yes (Expanded) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ITF-14 and GTIN-14?
GTIN-14 is the 14-digit number; ITF-14 is the barcode symbology (Interleaved 2 of 5) used to represent it on case packaging. The same GTIN-14 could also be encoded as GS1-128.
Are bearer bars mandatory on ITF-14?
Yes, when printing on corrugated cardboard. GS1 specifications require horizontal bearer bars (top and bottom) to prevent corrugated flute lines from being misread as barcode bars.
Can I use ITF-14 on a retail shelf item?
No. ITF-14 is designed for case and shipping-carton level. Retail point-of-sale scanners are not configured to read ITF-14 as a consumer product barcode.
How do I derive the GTIN-14 from my product's GTIN-13?
Prepend a packaging indicator digit (0–8) to the first 12 digits of the GTIN-13, then recalculate the Modulo 10 check digit. A packaging indicator of 1 typically represents a standard case.
What minimum print resolution is required for ITF-14?
GS1 recommends at least 203 dpi for direct print on corrugated, with 300 dpi preferred. The minimum X-dimension for corrugated direct print is 0.762 mm.
Need to create a ITF-14 barcode?
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