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Linear (1D)

Interleaved 2 of 5 with 14 digits (ITF-14)

A GS1 standard barcode for marking cartons and pallets in the supply chain, encoding 14-digit GTINs for logistics applications.

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Introduced

1994

Developer

GS1

Data Capacity

Exactly 14 digits

Character Set

Numeric only (0-9)

What is ITF-14?

ITF-14 is the workhorse barcode of the supply chain, specifically designed for marking shipping cartons, cases, and pallets. Unlike the barcodes you see on individual products (EAN/UPC), ITF-14 is meant for outer packaging that contains multiple units. It encodes a 14-digit GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) that identifies the packaging configuration. If you've ever worked in a warehouse or distribution center, you've seen countless ITF-14 barcodes.

History of ITF-14

ITF-14 is based on the Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF) symbology, which was developed in the 1970s. GS1 standardized the 14-digit version specifically for trade item identification in the early 1990s. The format was designed to be robust enough for printing directly on corrugated cardboard and reliable enough for high-speed conveyor scanning in warehouses. ITF-14's bearer bars (the thick lines around the barcode) help protect against edge damage during shipping and handling.

How ITF-14 Works

ITF-14 uses the Interleaved 2 of 5 symbology with exactly 14 digits: • **Digit 1**: Packaging indicator (1-8 for different packaging levels, 9 for variable measure) • **Digits 2-14**: The GTIN of the contained item, including check digit The "Interleaved" name comes from how data is encoded: digits are encoded in pairs, with the first digit encoded in the bars and the second in the spaces between them. This interleaving makes the barcode very compact for numeric data. ITF-14 typically includes bearer bars (thick lines forming a rectangle around the barcode) that: - Protect the barcode from edge damage - Help scanners identify barcode boundaries - Improve scanning reliability on uneven surfaces

Technical Specifications

Symbology Type	Linear (1D) - Interleaved 2 of 5
Character Set	Numeric only (0-9)
Data Capacity	Exactly 14 digits (GTIN-14)
Check Digit	Modulo 10 (part of GTIN)
Minimum X-Dimension	0.495mm (19.5 mil)
Standard Height	32mm minimum
Bearer Bars	4.8mm (5x) recommended
Quiet Zone	10x module width

Common Use Cases

Case/Carton Marking

Primary use - identifying cartons that contain multiple retail units. The GTIN-14 links to the GTINs of contained items.

Pallet Labeling

Marking pallets and larger logistics units in the supply chain.

Warehouse Management

Receiving, put-away, picking, and shipping operations use ITF-14 for case-level tracking.

Distribution Center Operations

High-speed conveyor scanning to sort and route shipments.

Cross-Docking

Quick identification of cases moving directly from receiving to shipping.

Industries Using ITF-14

LogisticsWarehousingDistributionManufacturingRetail (back-office)Food & BeverageConsumer Goods

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages

✓Extremely robust - designed for corrugated cardboard
✓Bearer bars protect against edge damage
✓High scanning reliability on rough surfaces
✓Works with high-speed conveyor scanners
✓GS1 standardized - universal in supply chain
✓Very compact for numeric data
✓Easy to print on brown cardboard

Disadvantages

✗Numeric only - cannot encode letters
✗Fixed at 14 digits - no flexibility
✗Larger than retail barcodes
✗Not for retail point-of-sale
✗Requires even number of digits (ITF limitation)

When to Use ITF-14

Best For

•Shipping cartons and cases
•Outer packaging in the supply chain
•Warehouse and distribution operations
•Pallet marking
•Any GS1-compliant logistics application

Not Recommended For

•Retail point-of-sale (use EAN/UPC)
•Individual product marking
•Applications requiring alphanumeric data
•Small labels (use Code 128 or Data Matrix)

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between ITF-14 and a regular ITF barcode?

ITF-14 is specifically 14 digits long and follows GS1 standards for encoding GTIN-14. Regular ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5) can be any even number of digits and doesn't follow GS1 structure.

Why does ITF-14 have those thick lines around it?

Those are bearer bars. They protect the barcode from damage at the edges (common with cardboard boxes), help scanners detect the barcode boundaries, and improve scan reliability on uneven surfaces.

What's the first digit of an ITF-14 mean?

It's the packaging indicator: 1 = a case of units, 2 = a case of cases, etc., up to 8 for different packaging levels. 9 indicates variable measure trade items. 0 is not used for packaging (that's the item itself).

Can I use ITF-14 at retail checkout?

No. ITF-14 is for logistics only. Retail scanners are optimized for EAN/UPC codes on individual products. The cases marked with ITF-14 get broken down before products reach the sales floor.

Related Barcode Formats

GS1-128EAN-13 UPC-A

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