ITF-14 Validator

ITF-14: the 14-digit case code for shipping cartons

The ITF-14 is the 14-digit GTIN-14 printed on outer packaging — cases, cartons and pallets — rather than on the consumer unit. It is encoded with the Interleaved 2 of 5 symbology (hence "ITF") inside heavy bearer bars, which is why it tolerates the rough printing of corrugated board. This tool checks the 14-digit structure and its mod-10 check digit.

An ITF-14 wraps a product's GTIN-13 base with a leading indicator (packaging-level) digit from 1–8, telling logistics systems how many base units sit inside a case (a 0 indicator is reserved). It is the case/logistics code — distinct from the EAN-13 on the individual item.

Structure of 10012345678902

• Indicator (1): the packaging level / pack-size hierarchy digit (1–8).
• GTIN-13 base (001234567890): the underlying consumer product number without its own check digit.
• Check digit (2): recomputed over all 13 preceding digits.

The mod-10 check digit

• Weights: from the rightmost data digit, weight alternately ×3 and ×1 — the digit immediately left of the check digit is ×3.
• Sum & close: add the weighted values; check = (10 − (sum mod 10)) mod 10.
• Same family: identical algorithm to EAN-8, EAN-13 and UPC-A — only the digit count changes.

Common pitfalls

• Confusing it with the EAN-13: the EAN-13 marks the consumer unit; the ITF-14 marks the case. They are not interchangeable at the till or in the warehouse.
• Forgetting to recompute the check: you cannot reuse the EAN-13's check digit — drop it, add the indicator, and recompute over the new 13-digit body.
• Dropping leading zeros: keep the value as a 14-character string; integer storage corrupts the GTIN.
• Indicator 0 or 9: the indicator is 1–8 for fixed-measure packs (0 has a reserved meaning); don't invent one.
• Ignoring the bearer bars: ITF needs the heavy frame and quiet zones to scan reliably — a digit-valid number can still be unreadable if printed wrong.

FAQ

Is the ITF-14 check digit the same as EAN-13's? The algorithm is identical (mod-10, alternating 3/1), but the digits differ because the indicator changes the body — so it must be recomputed.

What does the indicator digit mean? It distinguishes packaging levels (e.g. inner pack vs case) of the same base product; 1–8 are usable for fixed-content packs.

Can I scan an ITF-14 at a retail till? No — point-of-sale reads the EAN-13/EAN-8 on the consumer unit; the ITF-14 is for logistics scanning of cases.