---
title: What is a GTIN-14 and how is it used?
description: GTIN-14 (Global Trade Item Number) is a 14-digit barcode standard used globally to uniquely identify trade items. It is primarily used for products that are grouped together in a larger container, such as cases, trays or pallets.
---

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# What is a GTIN-14 and how is it used?

## A GTIN-14 (Global Trade Item Number) is a 14-digit identifier commonly used for trade item groupings, such as cases, trays and pallets. Learn how GTIN-14s are assigned, what indicator digits mean, and why shorter GTINs are represented in a standardized 14-digit format.

A **GTIN-14 (Global Trade Item Number)** is a 14-digit identifier used to uniquely identify trade items in global supply chains. It is commonly assigned to grouped or higher-level packaging configurations, such as cases, trays and pallets, that require their own identification.

GTINs can have 8, 12, 13 or 14 digits. For certain GS1 applications, shorter GTINs are represented in a **standardized 14-digit format** by adding leading zeros. This does not create a new GTIN or change the identity of the trade item.

A GTIN-14 can be encoded in different barcode symbologies, including ITF-14, GS1-128 and GS1 DataMatrix. The 14-digit format is also used in GS1 Digital Link QR codes and product data exchange standards such as GDSN.

Understanding the difference between **assigning a new GTIN-14** and **representing an existing GTIN in 14-digit format** is essential for correct product identification, barcode implementation and data synchronization.

### Why are GTINs represented in 14-digit format?

A Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) can contain 8, 12, 13 or 14 digits. However, several GS1 standards and systems require GTINs to be represented in a **standardized 14-digit format**, regardless of their original length.

To achieve this, shorter GTINs are **left-padded with leading zeros** until they contain exactly 14 digits.

| GTIN type | Original GTIN | 14-digit format |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GTIN-8 | `96385074` | `00000096385074` |
| GTIN-12 | `123456789012` | `00123456789012` |
| GTIN-13 | `8723698569346` | `08723698569346` |
| GTIN-14 | `18723698569343` | `18723698569343` |

**Important:** Adding leading zeros does not create a new GTIN. The original identifier, including its check digit, remains unchanged. The additional zeros are simply filler digits.

For example, a GTIN-13 represented with a leading zero remains a GTIN-13, even though it is displayed using 14 digits.

### When is the 14-digit format used?

The standardized 14-digit representation is used in several GS1 applications:

- **ITF-14 barcodes:** The ITF-14 barcode symbology encodes a GTIN in 14-digit format. It is commonly used on outer packaging, such as corrugated cases. A GTIN-8, GTIN-12 or GTIN-13 can also be encoded with leading zeros, where appropriate. Using an ITF-14 barcode does not automatically mean that a new GTIN-14 has been assigned.
- **GS1 Digital Link QR codes:** The GTIN in the Digital Link URI must contain exactly 14 digits, including leading zeros where necessary.
- **GS1-128 and GS1 DataMatrix barcodes:** When using Application Identifier (01) to identify a trade item, the GTIN is encoded as a 14-digit value.
- **GS1 GDSN and GS1 XML:** GTINs are exchanged as 14-digit values in GTIN-defined data fields to ensure consistent identification across systems.
- **Product data management:** Representing all GTINs in a consistent 14-digit format simplifies data exchange and integration between systems.

### Example: GTIN-13 in a GS1 Digital Link QR code

A consumer product with GTIN-13 `8723698569346` has the following 14-digit representation:

`08723698569346`

In a GS1 Digital Link URI, this becomes:

`https://example.com/01/08723698569346`

The same product may carry an EAN-13 barcode displaying its original 13-digit number, while its GS1 Digital Link QR code uses the 14-digit representation.

Both identify **exactly the same trade item**.

### How do you assign a new GTIN-14 to a trade item grouping?

A new GTIN-14 can be assigned to a trade item grouping, such as a case containing multiple identical consumer units.

One method is to derive a GTIN-14 from an existing GTIN-13 or GTIN-12 by using an **indicator digit between 1 and 8**.

This creates a new, unique identifier for the grouping while maintaining a numerical relationship with the contained trade item.

Unlike adding leading zeros, assigning a new GTIN-14 identifies a **different trade item**.

#### Step-by-step guide

1. **Identify the GTIN of the contained trade item.** For example, a consumer unit with GTIN-13 `8723698569346`.
2. **Remove the check digit.** The final digit (`6`) is removed, leaving `872369856934`.
3. **Add leading zeros if necessary.** The number must contain 12 digits before the indicator digit is added. For a GTIN-13, no additional zeros are needed.
4. **Assign an indicator digit.** Choose an indicator between 1 and 8 to distinguish the grouping from other trade item configurations. Ensure that the resulting GTIN-14 is not already assigned to another trade item.
5. **Calculate a new check digit.** Use the GS1 check digit algorithm to calculate the final digit of the new GTIN-14.

#### Example

A manufacturer sells a consumer product individually and in cases containing different quantities.

| Trade item | GTIN |
| --- | --- |
| Consumer unit | `8723698569346` |
| Case of 6 consumer units | `18723698569343` |
| Case of 12 consumer units | `28723698569340` |

In this example, the manufacturer has chosen indicator `1` for the case of 6 and indicator `2` for the case of 12.

**Important:** The indicator digit does not define the packaging level or quantity. Another manufacturer could use indicator `2` for a case of 6 and indicator `1` for a case of 12.

Alternatively, a manufacturer can assign an entirely new GTIN-13 or GTIN-12 to a trade item grouping instead of deriving a GTIN-14 using an indicator digit.

For trade items identified by a GTIN-8, the grouping requires a separately allocated GTIN rather than simply deriving a GTIN-14 from the GTIN-8 using an indicator digit.

### What do indicator digits in GTIN-14 mean?

The first digit of an assigned GTIN-14 is called the **indicator digit**. Its meaning depends on the value used.

#### Indicator digits 1 to 8: Trade item groupings

Indicator digits 1 to 8 are used to create unique GTIN-14s for different configurations of trade item groupings.

**These indicator digits have no predefined meaning in the GS1 standard.** They do not indicate a specific packaging level, packaging type or quantity of contained products.

For example, indicator `1` does not necessarily identify a case, nor does indicator `2` necessarily identify a pallet. Manufacturers can assign indicator digits in any order, and not all digits need to be used.

The packaging hierarchy and contained quantities must be defined separately in the product data. They cannot be determined from the GTIN-14 indicator digit alone.

#### Indicator digit 9: Variable measure trade items

Indicator digit `9` is reserved for **variable measure trade items**, where a characteristic such as weight or quantity is not predetermined and can vary between individual instances.

Examples include:

- A case of fresh meat with a variable total weight.
- A crate of produce where the actual quantity or weight varies.

Unlike indicators 1 to 8, indicator `9` has a specific meaning within the GS1 standard.

The actual variable measurement must be communicated separately using the applicable GS1 Application Identifiers.

**Note:** A leading zero used to represent a GTIN-8, GTIN-12 or GTIN-13 in 14-digit format is not an indicator digit. It is simply a filler digit and does not identify a different trade item.

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