GS1 Digital Link · ISO/IEC 18004 · Sunrise 2027
QR Code Generator for GS1 Digital Link
Create a GS1-compliant QR code in seconds: enter a GTIN, add batch / expiry / serial, pick GS1 Digital Link or GS1 element string encoding, customise the design and download. The preview is drawn in your browser — 10 free previews, PNG download included; SVG / PDF files (Pro) are generated on our server and nothing is stored.
- GTIN check-digit validation
- Full GS1 AI table
- FNC1 inserted automatically
- No sign-up
Enter GS1 data
Primary identification key, key qualifiers and data attributes.
A GTIN-13 (EAN-13) is zero-padded to GTIN-14 automatically. The check digit is verified as you type.
Key qualifiers (optional)
The qualifier order in a Digital Link is fixed: 22 → 10 → 21. Allowed characters: CSET 82 (letters, digits and ! " % & ' * + , - . / : ; < = > ? _), no spaces.
Data attributes (optional)
Choose the encoding
The same GS1 data can be encoded in two GS1-recognised ways.
The resolver is the server that answers when the code is scanned. id.gs1.org only redirects GTINs whose brand registered links with GS1 — the demo GTIN 09506000134352 opens GS1’s demo page, an unregistered GTIN returns “not found”. For your own products choose Your domain… and enter a domain where you run a GS1 Digital Link resolver.
Customise & download
Pattern, finder eyes, colours, logo and error-correction level.
⚠ GS1 recommends dark modules on a light background, square modules for retail and logistics scan points. Use patterns and logos only on consumer-facing packaging — and always test-scan before printing.
Create a GS1 Digital Link QR code in seconds
A GS1 Digital Link QR code packs everything a product needs into one symbol: the GTIN that identifies it at the till, the batch, expiry date and serial number that traceability and recall systems rely on, and a web address that opens product information on any smartphone. This generator builds the URI exactly as the GS1 Digital Link standard specifies, validates every value against the GS1 General Specifications and renders the symbol to ISO/IEC 18004.
Type a GTIN, add the qualifiers you need, choose how to encode and download. Prefer the plain element-string form for warehouse and production labels; prefer Digital Link for consumer packaging.
What is a GS1 QR code?
A GS1 QR code is a QR Code (ISO/IEC 18004) whose content follows GS1 standards. There are two flavours:
- GS1 QR Code — starts with the FNC1 character and carries a GS1 element string: a sequence of Application Identifiers (AIs) and values such as (01) GTIN, (10) batch, (17) expiry, (21) serial.
- GS1 Digital Link QR — carries an https URI whose path encodes the same AIs (
/01/…/10/…/21/…). It is web-native and resolvable, yet a GS1-capable scanner extracts the GTIN from it just like from an EAN barcode.
Compared with a 1D barcode, a QR code holds up to 7,089 numeric or 4,296 alphanumeric characters, scans from any orientation, survives up to 30 % damage with error correction level H, and takes far less label space.
Anatomy of a GS1 Digital Link URI
https://id.gs1.org/01/09506000134352/10/ABC123/21/SN001?17=261231
- Resolver domain — answers when the code is scanned
- Primary key: AI 01 + GTIN-14
- Key qualifiers in the path: 22 / 10 / 21 (in that order)
- Data attributes in the query: 17, 3103, 240…
Why use a GS1 Digital Link QR code?
One code serves both the point-of-sale scanner and the consumer's phone.
Built-in structured data
GTIN, lot, expiry and serial travel inside the code, so any GS1 scanner interprets them without a lookup.
Editable destination
Because the code is a URL, the resolver decides where each scan lands — change the page without reprinting.
Sustainable & cost-saving
Replace several barcodes and printed leaflets with one symbol; fewer label formats, less waste.
Brand experience
Serve product info, authenticity, recipes, recycling instructions or promotions by lot, serial or country.
Ready for Sunrise 2027
Retail POS worldwide is moving to 2D. Codes generated here scan at the till and on the phone.
Sunrise 2027 — global retail scan points ready for 2D
Sunrise 2027 is the GS1 industry milestone by which retailers worldwide aim to accept 2D barcodes (GS1 Digital Link QR and GS1 DataMatrix) at the point of sale, alongside today's EAN/UPC. Brands can carry both a 1D and a 2D code during the transition, then move to a single 2D symbol.
Encode the GTIN as a GS1 Digital Link, keep the module size at 0.396 mm (X-dimension) or larger for retail, and verify print quality to ISO/IEC 15415.
| 1D barcode (EAN/UPC) | 2D barcode (GS1 QR / DataMatrix) | |
|---|---|---|
| Data carried | GTIN only (13–14 digits) | GTIN + batch, expiry, serial, weight, URL… |
| Capacity | up to ~20 digits | up to 7,089 digits / 4,296 characters |
| Scan direction | One axis, needs alignment | Omnidirectional |
| Damage tolerance | None | Up to 30 % (QR level H) |
| Consumer phone | No | Yes — opens a web page |
| Label space | Wide | Compact, square |
Why choose QR-DigitalCode?
Standards-checked
Check digits, AI lengths, date formats and CSET 82 are validated before a single pixel is drawn.
Nothing stored
Previews are drawn in your browser. Paid files are generated on the server and discarded — GTINs, lots and serials are never saved.
Print-ready exports
PNG for the web, SVG for packaging artwork, PDF for a quick proof.
Bulk & DataMatrix
Same engine powers the bulk CSV/Excel tab and the GS1 DataMatrix tab.
Excel, CSV & Google Sheets
Bring product lists from a file, a shared Google Sheet or straight from the clipboard — no reformatting.
Bilingual EN / VI
Every label, hint and error message in English and Vietnamese — switch any time.
Frequently asked questions
What is GS1?
GS1 is the not-for-profit organisation that maintains the global standards for product identification and barcodes — GTIN, GLN, SSCC, EAN/UPC, GS1-128, GS1 DataMatrix and GS1 Digital Link. Companies obtain a GS1 Company Prefix from their national member organisation (GS1 Vietnam) to allocate GTINs.
What is the difference between a normal QR code and a GS1 QR code?
A normal QR code can hold any text. A GS1 QR code holds GS1-structured data: either an element string beginning with FNC1 (AIs like 01, 10, 17, 21) or a GS1 Digital Link URI. Standard-aware scanners can therefore extract the GTIN and other data without knowing anything about the brand.
Do I need a GS1 membership to create one?
You need a legitimately allocated GTIN to identify a product for sale. The generator itself is free and works with any GTIN whose check digit is valid, including test numbers such as 09506000134352 (GS1's own demo GTIN).
Can I edit the code after printing?
The data inside the symbol is fixed once printed. With a GS1 Digital Link, however, the destination is decided by the resolver at scan time — so the page a consumer sees can change without reprinting.
Can I add a logo or colours?
Yes. Choose a pattern, eye style and colours in step 3, and upload a logo. Keep strong contrast (dark on light), leave the quiet zone intact and use error-correction level H when a logo covers the centre. For retail scanning GS1 recommends plain black-on-white.
What does "display GTIN under the QR" do?
It prints the human-readable "(01) GTIN" beneath the symbol, mirroring the HRI on traditional barcodes, so staff can key it in if the code fails to scan.
Which resolver should I use?
A resolver is the web server behind the domain in your Digital Link — it decides where each scan lands. Use a domain you control (for example qr.yourbrand.com) and run, or subscribe to, a GS1-conformant resolver there. id.gs1.org is GS1’s global resolver: it only redirects GTINs whose brand has registered links with GS1 and answers “not found” for the rest. QR-DigitalCode only generates the codes — it does not host resolvers or product data.
How much data fits in a QR code?
Up to 7,089 numeric or 4,296 alphanumeric characters at the lowest error-correction level — versus roughly 20 digits for a 1D barcode. In practice GS1 recommends keeping consumer codes short so the symbol stays small and scans quickly.
What size should the printed code be?
For retail POS GS1 specifies a minimum X-dimension of 0.396 mm (target 0.495 mm) with a 4-module quiet zone. A version-3 QR (29 modules) therefore measures about 14.7 mm at the target size. Follow ISO/IEC 15415 and GS1 verification for print quality.
Where is my data stored?
Product data is not stored. Previews and the free PNG are generated in your browser. When you download a paid format (SVG, PDF, bulk, DataMatrix) the codes are sent to our server, turned into files and discarded; we only keep the number of codes per download to apply the fair-use limit. Free previews are counted without sending the code. Your account keeps your email, name and plan.
What is free and what needs an account?
Free: 10 previews of different codes on any generator, without an account — the single GS1 QR code can be downloaded as PNG while you preview it. A free account with a verified email adds 10 more. SVG / PDF, bulk generation and GS1 DataMatrix downloads are part of Pro (monthly or yearly), which also makes create & preview unlimited.
How do I pay?
Pro is a monthly or yearly subscription paid through PayPal — with your PayPal balance or a debit / credit card in the PayPal checkout. Cancel anytime; see Pricing.