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Free EAN-14 barcode generator.
An EAN-14 is a GS1-128 barcode carrying the 14-digit Global Trade Item Number (GTIN-14) of a case or carton. Enter its first 13 digits; the generator adds the check digit.
How to create an EAN-14 barcode
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01
Put the indicator in front
Drop the check digit of the product's GTIN-13 and type an indicator, 1–8, in front: 9520123456788 becomes 1952012345678.
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02
Set the module width
Enter your printer's resolution and a whole-pixel module width of at least 0.495 mm: 6 pixels at 300 dpi give 0.508 mm. Hide the text line.
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03
Download, then stretch the bars
Download a PNG: it has no quiet zones, and with the text line shown its bars are about 20 mm high at any module width. In your layout, stretch the bars vertically to at least 31.75 mm, leave 10 modules clear on each side and add the text.
What is an EAN-14 barcode?
An EAN-14 barcode holds one GTIN-14 under Application Identifier (AI) 01 and nothing else. That number identifies a grouping such as a case or tray. Its first digit, the indicator, tells packaging levels apart; the next 12 come from the GTIN of the product inside, followed by a new check digit.
Where case GTINs are scanned
Warehouses scan GTIN-14s by hand or automatically on fibreboard cases, film-wrapped trays, crates of bottles and banded pallets traded as one unit. The barcode is pre-printed on the carton or put on a label.
In manufacturing and MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul), a single product may also carry a GTIN-14. There, GS1 gives precedence to GS1-128, GS1 DataMatrix and GS1 QR Code. When a pallet traded as one unit is shipped, it should also carry an SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code).
One GTIN per packaging level, printed at GS1 size
With every level's GTIN-14 built from the product's GTIN, digits 2–13 match: one product record can serve all levels through the indicator. Customers can order and invoice by case or unit, with stock kept per level and in total. Changing a case from 8 to 12 items needs a new GTIN.
Drawn to scale at GS1's target of 0.495 mm per module, the example is 66.33 mm wide, 76.23 mm with quiet zones. Its bars reach the 31.75 mm minimum.
Formats and batch tools
Without an account the generator makes one barcode at a time, as GIF, PNG or JPG; SVG and higher print resolutions come with a plan. Many case barcodes at once come from a data sheet after a free sign-in.
TEC-IT's software adds AI (01) and, for 13 digits, the check digit. Barcode Studio imports a range's case GTINs from CSV and exports all barcodes in one run. TBarCode Office links each barcode to an Excel cell; TBarCode/SAPwin prints from SAPscript and Smart Forms.
EAN-14 at a glance
- Check digit
- Modulo 10, added or verified by the generator
- X-dimension
- 0.495–1.016 mm in general distribution, target 0.495 mm
- Bar height
- At least 31.75 mm in general distribution, bars only
- Quiet zones
- 10X each side, not in the image by default
- Print quality
- ISO/IEC 15416 grade 1.5 or better (1.5/10/660)
Building a case GTIN-14
| Level | GTIN |
|---|---|
| Product | 9520123456788 |
| Case, indicator 1 | 19520123456785 |
| Tray, indicator 2 | 29520123456782 |
- Multiply the 13 digits 1952012345678 by 3, 1, 3, 1 … from the left: 3, 9, 15, 2, 0, 1, 6, 3, 12, 5, 18, 7, 24.
- Add the products: 105.
- The check digit is what the sum lacks to reach a multiple of ten: 5, giving 19520123456785.
A GTIN-12 first gets a 0 in front. When all eight indicators are taken, further groupings need a GTIN-13 or GTIN-12, as does a mixed case.
ITF-14 vs GS1-128: barcodes GS1 allows on cases
| Barcode | Carries | When GS1 lists it |
|---|---|---|
| ITF-14 | GTIN-12, GTIN-13 or GTIN-14 only | Printing conditions require a less demanding symbology; better suited to direct print on corrugated board |
| GS1-128 or GS1 DataBar with AI (01) | The same; GS1-128 and DataBar Expanded add batch, dates or weight | Printing conditions allow; above all when such data is needed |
| EAN-13, UPC-A, UPC-E | Only a GTIN-13 or GTIN-12 of the case | Optional; at the checkout, this or a retail GS1 DataBar is mandatory |
| GS1 DataMatrix, GS1 QR Code | GTIN and attributes | Added to a linear barcode where scanners read 2D |
This generator makes GS1-128, not ITF-14.
Placing the barcode on cases
As a rule, the bars must stand upright on a side of the case, ideally starting 32 mm above the base. GS1 recommends 19 mm or more from vertical edges, quiet zones included.
EAN-14 compared with related barcodes
Use it when the case also needs a batch, date or, after indicator 9, its weight.
Its case form, ITF-14, holds the same 14 digits with a bearer bar.
Marks the consumer unit inside and never carries a GTIN-14.
Frequently asked questions
Learn more about EAN-14.
Is EAN-14 the same as GTIN-14?
Does the indicator digit stand for the number of items in the case?
Can I enter a GTIN-13 in the EAN-14 generator?
Can a case with a GTIN-14 be sold at the checkout?
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