By Hovercode, a GS1 US Executive Solution Partner
GTIN numbers: what they are and how to get one
A GTIN is the number printed under a product's barcode. It's how retailers, marketplaces and checkouts know exactly which product they're looking at.
What is a GTIN?
GTIN stands for Global Trade Item Number. It's a number, issued under GS1 standards, that identifies one specific product. A 500 ml bottle of a drink has one GTIN, the 1 litre bottle has another, and a case of 12 bottles has a third.
The GTIN is the data. The barcode is just a way of printing it so a scanner can read it. The same GTIN can be printed as a traditional UPC or EAN barcode, or inside a 2D barcode like a QR code.
GTIN-8, GTIN-12, GTIN-13 and GTIN-14
GTINs come in four lengths. The number after "GTIN" is how many digits it has.
| Format | Usually printed as | Typically used for |
|---|---|---|
| GTIN-12 | UPC-A barcode | Retail products in the US and Canada |
| GTIN-13 | EAN-13 barcode | Retail products in most other countries |
| GTIN-8 | EAN-8 barcode | Very small packs with no room for a full barcode |
| GTIN-14 | ITF-14 or GS1-128 barcode | Cases and cartons that move through the supply chain |
Shorter GTINs can always be written as 14 digits by adding zeros at the front. The UPC 012345678905 and 00012345678905 are the same GTIN. That 14-digit form is what goes inside a GS1 QR code.
How a GTIN is put together
A GTIN has three parts:
- A GS1 Company Prefix, which identifies the company that licensed it.
- An item reference, which the company assigns to each of its products.
- A check digit at the end, calculated from the other digits, which catches typos and misreads.
The check digit is worked out like this, using GS1's own example GTIN-13, 9506000134369:
- Take every digit except the last:
950600013436. - Starting from the right, multiply the digits alternately by 3 and 1, and add them up. Here that comes to 81.
- The check digit is whatever takes that total up to the next multiple of 10. 81 + 9 = 90, so the check digit is 9.
If the last digit doesn't match, the GTIN has been mistyped. Hovercode runs this check on every GTIN you enter, so a typo can't end up printed on a pack.
How to get a GTIN
GTINs are licensed by GS1. In the US you get them from GS1 US. Elsewhere, you get them from your country's GS1 organization.
GS1 US offers two options:
- A single GS1 US GTIN, for companies with only a few products. You buy one GTIN at a time.
- A GS1 Company Prefix, which lets you create a block of GTINs yourself. The size of the block sets the price.
| Products needing a GTIN | Initial fee | Annual renewal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (single GS1 US GTIN) | $30 | $0 |
| Up to 10 (Company Prefix) | $250 | $50 |
| Up to 100 | $750 | $150 |
| Up to 1,000 | $2,500 | $500 |
| Up to 10,000 | $6,500 | $1,300 |
| Up to 100,000 | $10,500 | $2,100 |
GS1 US pricing as listed in October 2026. GS1 US can change its prices, so check their site before you buy. Single GS1 US GTINs can't be used for some product types, such as pharmaceuticals and variable-measure products.
A note on cheap barcodes from resellers. Numbers sold by third-party resellers are often registered to a different company. Many retailers and marketplaces check that a GTIN belongs to the brand selling the product, so a resold number can cause problems later. Getting your GTINs from GS1 means they're registered to you.
When a product needs its own GTIN
As a rule of thumb, anything a shopper or a retailer would treat as a different product needs a different GTIN. Common examples:
- Different sizes, flavours, colours or scents.
- Different pack quantities: a single bar and a multipack of four are separate products.
- Cases or cartons that are sold or shipped as a unit.
GS1's GTIN Management Standard sets out the detailed rules, including which changes to an existing product need a new GTIN.
Putting a GTIN in a QR code
A GTIN can be carried in a QR code using GS1 Digital Link, a standard way of writing it as a web address:
https://yourbrand.com/01/09506000134369
The 01 says "a GTIN follows", and the GTIN is written as 14 digits. A retailer's checkout scanner reads the GTIN from it like a normal barcode. A shopper's phone opens it as a link, so it can go to a product page, instructions, recipes or anything else. You can add a batch number, serial number or expiry date too.
This is what retailers are preparing their checkouts to read through Sunrise 2027.
GS1 US Solution Partner
Make a GS1 QR code from your GTIN
Enter your GTIN in the Hovercode GS1 QR code generator. We check the digits, format the Digital Link for you, and can build a product page for the code to open. You can change where it goes after printing.
Frequently asked questions
Is a GTIN the same as a UPC?
What's the difference between a GTIN and an EAN?
How much does a GTIN cost?
How do I check whether a GTIN is valid?
Do I need a GTIN to sell on Amazon or in stores?
Can I put my GTIN in a QR code?
Create your GS1 QR codes with Hovercode
Hovercode is a GS1 US Solution Partner, used by thousands of businesses.
- Edit after printing. Change where a code goes without reprinting the pack.
- A product page for every code. No website needed; we build one you can edit.
- Bulk and API. Upload your whole range from a spreadsheet, or create codes through our API.
- Your own domain. The printed URL carries your brand.