BarcodeOwl

ITF-14 Generator — Free Carton & Case Barcodes

Tip: you can leave out the last (check) digit — we calculate it for you.

PNG downloads at 1x–4x resolution.

Preview

PNG for documents & web, SVG for print & designers — always free, no watermark, no signup.

Enter your 13-digit GTIN-14 (or full 14 digits including check digit) above — the generator validates the number, computes the check digit if you omit it, and renders a standards-compliant ITF-14 with bearer bars automatically included.

Download PNG up to 4x for documents, or SVG vector for direct-to-carton printing and corrugated packaging artwork. Free, no signup, no watermark.

What is ITF-14?

ITF-14 is the GS1 barcode for shipping containers — cartons, cases and pallets that never pass over a retail scanner. It encodes a 14-digit GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) using the Interleaved 2 of 5 symbology, and it's instantly recognizable by the thick rectangular bearer bars framing the symbol. Those bars aren't decoration: they stiffen the reading window, equalize print pressure on corrugated presses, and stop scanners from misreading partial symbols.

The GTIN-14 inside an ITF-14 is built from the product's retail GTIN: an indicator digit (1–8, your choice of packaging level), the first 12 digits of the UPC/EAN, and a freshly calculated check digit. That's how “1 case of 24 units of product X” gets its own scannable identity, distinct from the consumer units inside.

Who needs ITF-14 barcodes?

ITF-14 is for non-retail packaging only — if the item itself will be scanned at a checkout, it needs a UPC-A or EAN-13 instead.

  • Brands shipping cases to retail distribution centers — most US/EU retailers require ITF-14 (or a GS1-128 label) on every case
  • Amazon sellers sending case-packed inventory to FBA fulfillment centers
  • Food & beverage producers printing directly on corrugated cases
  • Wholesalers and 3PLs labeling master cartons and inner packs
  • Manufacturers whose trading partners mandate GS1 case identification for receiving automation

ITF-14 specifications

PropertySpecification
SymbologyInterleaved 2 of 5 (ITF), ISO/IEC 16390
Data14 digits: indicator (1) + GTIN-12/13 body (12) + check digit (1)
Bearer barsMandatory — full rectangular frame, rendered automatically above
Nominal X-dimension0.495 mm (mag. range 0.25–1.016 mm for corrugated print)
Minimum bar height32 mm at nominal size (taller than retail barcodes — scan-in-motion)
Quiet zones10 module widths each side (inside the bearer bars)
Print contrastDark bars on light background; designed for low-fidelity corrugated printing

Building a GTIN-14 from your product GTIN

Take your product's UPC-A (12 digits), drop its check digit, prepend a packaging indicator — 1 for the first case level, 2 for the next, up to 8 — then calculate a new check digit over those 13 digits. Example: UPC 036000291452 becomes indicator “1” + 03600029145 + new check digit → 10036000291457. BarcodeOwl does the check-digit math for you: type the 13 digits (indicator + product number) and the 14th is appended automatically.

Never reuse indicator digit 0 or 9 — 0 is reserved for the consumer unit itself, 9 for variable-measure items. Each distinct case configuration (12-pack, 24-pack, mixed case) gets its own indicator digit.

Printing ITF-14 on corrugated

  • Use the SVG at full size for flexo plate artwork; for inkjet/laser proofs, print the PNG at 300+ DPI
  • Bar height matters: keep bars at 25 mm or taller so scanners read cases on moving conveyors
  • Never scale below 25% magnification or trim into the bearer bars
  • Brown kraft corrugated is fine if contrast stays high — test with your actual scanner, not just a phone
  • For inkjet direct-to-corrugated, prefer larger X-dimensions (0.5 mm+) to survive dot gain

Frequently asked questions

Is this ITF-14 generator free?

Yes — unlimited ITF-14 barcodes with automatic check-digit calculation, PNG up to 4x and SVG downloads, no account and no watermark. You supply a valid GTIN-based number; we render the symbol.

How do I get a GTIN-14 for my cases?

Build it from your product's existing GS1 UPC or EAN: add an indicator digit (1–8) in front of the product number (minus its old check digit), then let BarcodeOwl compute the new check digit. The underlying company prefix must be your GS1-licensed one — case codes share the product's GS1 identity.

What are the thick bars around an ITF-14?

Bearer bars. They're mandatory in the ITF-14 spec: they protect the symbol during corrugated printing (equalizing plate pressure), prevent too-short partial scans, and anchor the quiet zones. BarcodeOwl renders the full bearer-bar frame automatically.

ITF-14 vs GS1-128 — which goes on my cartons?

ITF-14 when the label only needs the GTIN-14 (what's in the case). GS1-128 when you must also encode batch/lot, expiry, serial or weight via Application Identifiers. Many retailers accept either; pharma and fresh food typically mandate GS1-128 or GS1 DataMatrix.

Can I use ITF-14 for Amazon FBA case packs?

Yes — scannable case barcodes (ITF-14, GS1-128 or UPC/EAN of the case) are accepted for case-packed shipments. Make sure the indicator digit distinguishes the case from the consumer unit and that the number traces back to your GS1 prefix.

Why does my ITF-14 have a different check digit than my UPC?

The GTIN-14 adds an indicator digit, which changes every position's weight in the mod-10 calculation — so the check digit must be recomputed. Enter the 13 digits (indicator + product body) above and the correct 14th digit is calculated automatically.

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