SCC-14 Barcode: What It Is and How to Make One

An SCC-14 barcode is the barcode on a shipping carton that carries its 14-digit number. GS1 now calls that number a GTIN-14; it is usually printed as an ITF-14 on the carton, or in a GS1-128 on a logistics label. This guide explains the names, builds the 14 digits step by step and includes a free generator.

By the Barcode.codes editorial teamReviewed

What Is an SCC-14 Barcode?

SCC-14 is an older name, still used by labeling software, for the 14-digit number of a carton. The GS1 General Specifications list it as deprecated in favor of the GTIN.

SCC-14, GTIN-14 and ITF-14

  • SCC-14: an older name for the carton's 14-digit number, listed by GS1 as deprecated in favor of the GTIN.
  • GTIN-14: GS1's name for that number: an indicator digit, the item's GS1 Company Prefix and item reference, and a check digit.
  • ITF-14: the barcode usually printed on cartons for a GTIN-14, with bearer bars; a GS1-128 with AI (01) can carry the same number.

What It Is Used For

The barcode marks cases and cartons that hold products, so they can be scanned in warehouses and distribution centers. The items inside keep their own UPC or EAN barcodes.

Make an SCC-14 Barcode

Enter the 13 digits of the carton number to have the check digit added, or all 14 to have it checked; the barcode is an ITF-14 at the GS1 size, with bearer bars.

Valid

78.8 × 40.4 mm at 300 DPI

Barcode

13 characters

13 or 14 digits; the check digit is added.

Check digit 3 is added.

ITF-14 options

Size and resolution

Output DPI

300 DPI · Thermal / offset

6 px per module at 300 DPI. Print size: 78.8 × 40.4 mm (3.10 × 1.59 in). PNG, WebP and JPEG: 955 × 490 px.

Human-readable text

Text size and alignment

Alignment

Text font

FontNew

Label textNew

Font

Alignment

Printed in the file with the barcode, outside the quiet zone, in Helvetica or Courier so it looks the same in every format.

Colors

Contrast 21.0:1; estimated symbol contrast 100%.

Quiet zone (modules)2 · 10 · 2 · 10

Bar width reduction0 mil

Makes each bar thinner by this amount, to make up for ink that spreads on paper. Ask your printer for the value, or leave 0 for laser and thermal printing.

Rotation and backgroundNew0° · Filled

Rotation

In the preview, a checkered pattern shows the transparent areas. Print a transparent barcode only on a white or very light surface: scanners need the light quiet zone around it.

Margin and borderNew0 mm · no border

The margin is blank space outside the quiet zone, for cutting; the border is drawn at the outer edge. Both count in the print size.

Data inspectorNew13 chars
PresetsNew0 saved

No presets yet. Save the current settings to reuse them.

    Presets stay in this browser. They keep the type, size and style; the data and the logo are not saved.

    Recent barcodesNew0

    The barcodes you download appear here, newest first.

      The last 10 downloads, kept in this browser only.
      ITF-14 · Live previewValid
      ITF-14 barcode encoding 1540014128876
      New

      Scaled to fit. Actual size shows the print size on screen.

      Print simulationNew

      Shows how a worn print looks and tests it with the decoder.

      Type
      ITF-14 · 1D
      Print size
      78.8 × 40.4 mm
      Raster
      955 × 490 px
      GS1 prefix
      540 · GS1 Belgium & Luxembourg

      Download

      Vector drawing, 78.8 × 40.4 mm. Design and label programs place it at its print size.

      New
      More export optionsNewTest sheet · size set · embed code

      Print test sheet (PDF)

      The code at 80%, 100% and 150% with 100 mm and 4 in rulers. Print it at actual size and scan each copy before printing many.

      Size set (ZIP)

      Magnification

      Embed code

      Nothing you type is uploaded.New

      How to Build the 14 Digits

      To build a GTIN-14 for a case of one item, write the item's GTIN in 13 digits without its check digit, put an indicator digit in front, and calculate a new check digit.

      1. Start from the item's GTIN without its check digit: for the GTIN-13 5901234123457 that leaves 590123412345. For a GTIN-12, put one 0 in front of its first 11 digits; for a GTIN-8, five zeros in front of its first 7.
      2. Put an indicator digit from 1 to 8 in front, such as 1: 1590123412345. The brand chooses the digit to tell its groupings of the item apart.
      3. Calculate the GS1 check digit, weights 3 and 1 from the right: 3 × (1 + 9 + 1 + 3 + 1 + 3 + 5) + (5 + 0 + 2 + 4 + 2 + 4) = 86; 90 − 86 = 4.
      4. The case number is 15901234123454, ready for the generator above.
      ITF-14 barcode 15901234123454 with its parts marked: the indicator digit 1, the GTIN-13 590123412345 without its check digit, the new check digit 4, and the bearer bars around the symbol.
      The case number 15901234123454 in an ITF-14: the indicator digit 1, the item's GTIN-13 without its check digit, and the new check digit 4, inside the bearer bars.

      Indicator Digits

      GS1 states that the indicator digits 1 to 8 have no meaning: they only tell different groupings of the same item apart, and they do not count the items in a case. The digit 9 is reserved for variable measure items, such as cases sold by weight. A brand may also give a case its own GTIN-13 or GTIN-12 instead of a GTIN-14.

      SCC-14 on Shipping Labels

      On a GS1 logistics label the same GTIN-14 can appear in a GS1-128 barcode after the Application Identifier (01).

      ITF-14 barcode generator GS1's ITF-14 sizes and bearer bars, for printing.

      GTIN-14 or SSCC

      The GTIN-14 identifies a kind of case, so every identical case has the same number. An SSCC is an 18-digit serial number for one particular logistic unit, such as one pallet; a pallet that is also a standard trade item has a GTIN as well.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      Is SCC-14 the Same as GTIN-14?

      In practice, yes. Software that says SCC-14 means the 14-digit case number that GS1 now calls a GTIN-14.

      Which Barcode Carries an SCC-14?

      Usually an ITF-14 printed on the case. On a GS1 logistics label, a GS1-128 with Application Identifier (01) can carry the same number.

      Do I Need a New GS1 Number for Each Carton Type?

      Each packaging configuration needs its own GTIN, such as a case of 12 and a case of 24. With the indicator digit method, the item's number stays inside each GTIN-14.

      Can I Use the Item's UPC on the Carton?

      A GTIN-12 or GTIN-13 can be padded to 14 digits and printed as an ITF-14, but a carton that is a different trade unit from the item needs its own GTIN.

      Why Does the Check Digit Change?

      The check digit is calculated from all the digits before it, so adding the indicator digit changes it. The generator calculates the new one.

      What Size Should the Barcode Be?

      It depends on how the case is printed and where it is scanned. GS1's symbol specification tables set the X-dimension and height of an ITF-14 for each application, with a lower quality grade allowed when it is printed directly on corrugated board; the ITF-14 generator lists the sizes and starts at GS1's target.

      Sources

      The facts in this guide come from these GS1 sources, checked on October 8, 2026.

      GS1 General Specifications, Release 26.0, ratified January 2026 defines the GS1 identification keys, barcodes and Application Identifiers; the text names the sections used.

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