Why must ITF have an even number of digits?

Digits are encoded in pairs, one in the bars and one in the spaces. An odd-length value cannot be paired, so pad it with a leading zero.

Can Interleaved 2 of 5 encode letters?

No. ITF is numeric only. Use Code 128 or Code 39 for alphanumeric data.

Is ITF the same as ITF-14?

ITF-14 is a fixed 14-digit application of Interleaved 2 of 5 defined by GS1 for cartons. Plain ITF is the general variable-length version.

Should I add a check digit?

It is optional in the specification but recommended, because ITF is not self-checking. Include it in the value you enter if your system expects one.

Why is it called interleaved?

Digits are encoded in pairs: the first digit in the bars, the second in the intervening spaces. That interleaving is what makes it compact.

Should I use a check digit?

Yes where you can. Because the symbology is prone to partial reads, a check digit plus a fixed expected length is the standard defence.

Is Interleaved 2 of 5 the same as ITF?

ITF is the common abbreviation for Interleaved Two of Five, so yes.

Can I use it for retail products?

No. Retail requires UPC-A or EAN-13. Interleaved 2 of 5 is an industrial and logistics symbology.

What is the maximum length?

The specification sets no limit, but practical labels rarely go past 14 to 18 digits before the symbol becomes unwieldy.

Barcode generator / Interleaved 2 of 5

Interleaved 2 of 5 Barcode Generator

Create Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF) barcodes free online. Encode any even-length numeric string and download as PNG or SVG. No signup, no watermark.

Barcode data

Digits only, in an even-length string. Add a leading zero if your value has odd length.

Bar height80px

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No watermark, no signup, unlimited PNG downloads. Rendered in your browser — the value you type never leaves your device. Vector SVG and high-resolution PNG are included with Pro.

What is Interleaved 2 of 5 used for?

Interleaved 2 of 5, usually written ITF, is a numeric-only symbology that packs two digits into every group of bars and spaces. That interleaving makes it unusually dense for numbers, which is why it persists in industrial and distribution settings where the payload is always numeric.

Because it has no self-checking structure, ITF must be printed at a fixed length that the scanner expects — otherwise a partial read can decode as a valid shorter number. Pick ITF only when a downstream system requires it; for general use Code 128 is safer.

Industrial and distribution labels
Carton and packaging codes
Legacy numeric ID systems

Interleaved 2 of 5 specification

Character set	Digits 0-9 only
Length	Even number of digits (a leading zero is added if odd)
Check digit	Optional modulo-10
Density	High for numeric data — two digits per character pair
Quiet zone	10 modules either side
Known risk	Partial scans without bearer bars
Best for	Cartons, warehousing and industrial numeric IDs

How to generate a Interleaved 2 of 5 barcode

1
Enter a numeric value with an even digit count; odd values get a leading zero automatically.
2
Decide whether your receiving system expects a modulo-10 check digit and include it in the value if so.
3
Increase bar height for warehouse scanning at distance.
4
Download SVG and ask the printer for bearer bars on carton work.
5
Verify a printed sample decodes to the full expected digit string, not a truncated one.

Troubleshooting scan failures

Scanner returns fewer digits than encoded

Classic Interleaved 2 of 5 partial read. Add bearer bars, or configure the scanner to a fixed expected length.

Letters rejected

The symbology is numeric only. Use Code 128 if the value contains letters or punctuation.

Digit count changes unexpectedly

An odd-length value is padded with a leading zero. Supply an even-length value so you control where the pad lands.

Print quality issues on rough stock

Widen the X-dimension and apply bar width reduction rather than trying to print finer bars.

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