ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5)
A dense digits-only linear barcode that interleaves bar and space character pairs — logistics workhorse for numeric data.
ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5) Specification
| Character set | Digits 0-9 only |
| Data length | Variable; must be an even number of digits |
| Check digit | None mandatory; optional Mod 10 check digit commonly appended |
| Density | ≈17.7 numeric characters per inch at minimum X — dense for a wide-element symbology |
| Module width (X-dimension) | 0.25-0.50 mm typical; wide element = 2X or 2.5X |
| Print ratio | Wide:narrow ratio 2:1 to 3:1 (2.5:1 recommended) |
| Magnification | Scales with X-dimension and ratio |
| Quiet zone | 10X on each side (12.7 mm when scanned by warehouse wand scanners) |
| Standard | ISO/IEC 16390; AIM USS-I 2 of 5 |
| Origin | David Allais, Intermec (interleaved variant of 1968's 2 of 5), 1972 |
| Sample data | 1234567890 |
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What Is ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5)?
Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF, ISO/IEC 16390) evolved from the earlier 2 of 5 symbology by interleaving: the first digit of each pair is encoded in five bars, the second in the five spaces that occupy the same horizontal band. With every module doing double duty, ITF achieves high numeric density — around 18 digits per inch at typical X-dimensions — using only ten digit patterns, each two-of-five wide.
The format is digits-only and requires an even digit count (odd counts are padded with a leading zero). It has no mandatory check digit, though a Mod 10 check is common in GS1 usage. Its tolerance for imprecise printing — wide elements, forgiving ratios — made it a natural fit for cartons, pallet labels, airline baggage sorting, and warehouse flows where the data is purely numeric and the printer is a flexographic press.
Common Applications
- Carton and case marking (basis of ITF-14)
- Warehouse and baggage handling numeric codes
- Airline ticket and boarding document sorting
- Photo finishing and film cartridge tracking
Related Barcode Types
The GTIN-14 carton-level barcode: ITF with thick bearer bars, printed directly on corrugated shipping cases.
Code 128 locked to code set C — digit pairs packed two per character for maximum numeric density.
A digits-only inventory barcode with a single Mod 10 check digit, descended from the Plessey code.
ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5) FAQ
Why does ITF need an even number of digits?
Because of the interleaving: one digit lives in the bars and its partner in the spaces of the same character group. An odd digit count leaves an unpaired digit, so encoders prepend a zero. Scanners transmit the padded string too — a fact worth remembering when matching against source data.
Is ITF safe without a check digit?
For controlled numeric codes, generally yes — the two-of-five structure makes many errors detectable. But ITF is prone to a specific hazard: partial scans (reading a subset of bars) can yield shorter valid-looking numbers. Adding a Mod 10 check digit and, in critical flows, fixed-length validation on the host side closes that hole.