BarcodX
Numeric Distribution

The Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF) Guide

High-density numeric encoding. Master the logic of Interleaved 2 of 5 barcodes for distribution, warehousing, and air freight tracking.

What is ITF?

Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF) is a numeric-only barcode symbology used extensively in the shipping and warehousing industries. It is highly efficient because it encodes data in pairs: the first digit is encoded in the bars, and the second digit is encoded in the spaces between those bars.

The Even-Digit Requirement

Because characters are encoded in pairs (interleaved), an ITF barcode **must always contain an even number of digits**. If your data string has an odd number of digits, a leading zero is typically added to satisfy this technical requirement.

Encoding Logic

The "2 of 5" in the name refers to the fact that each character is represented by five elements (bars or spaces), exactly two of which are wide. This simple, repetitive structure makes it extremely scannable even with poor print quality or low-resolution hardware.

Technical Specs
Data TypeNumeric Only
Digit RuleMust be Even
SymbologyContinuous (1D)
Self-CheckingYes
Data Pairs
The interleaved structure allows ITF barcodes to store 10 digits in roughly the same space a standard 2 of 5 barcode would need for 5 digits.

Generate High-Density ITF

Create high-resolution Interleaved 2 of 5 barcodes. Our tool automatically handles zero-padding for odd-numbered data strings.