Skip to main content
Online Tool

GS1 Digital Link Generator

Build a Sunrise-2027-ready GS1 Digital Link URL from a GTIN and optional AIs, and render it as a QR code or Data Matrix.

Default https://id.gs1.org. Replace with your own brand resolver if you have one.

GTIN-8, 12, 13 or 14. Check digit is verified; shorter values are padded to GTIN-14.

6 digits, implied 3 decimal places. 001250 means 1.250 kg.

GS1 Digital Link URL
https://id.gs1.org/01/09506000134352

Files are generated on your device — nothing is uploaded.

About the GS1 Digital Link generator

The ReadBarcode GS1 Digital Link generator builds a standards-compliant resolver URL from a GTIN and the most common GS1 Application Identifiers, then renders it as a QR code or Data Matrix. The URL follows the GS1 Digital Link URI Syntax — the same format retailers and brands are adopting for Sunrise 2027.

GTINs are normalised to 14 digits and check-digit verified, batch and serial are placed in the URL path, and dated attributes (expiry, best-before, net weight) are appended as query parameters. Everything runs in your browser with the open-source qrcode and bwip-js libraries.

When to use it

  • Trialling Sunrise 2027 compatible labels on consumer packaging.
  • Linking a single 2D code to product info, instructions and traceability.
  • Encoding GTIN + batch + expiry for healthcare or food shipments.
  • Generating variable-weight Data Matrix codes for fresh produce or deli.
  • Migrating from GS1-128 to a Digital Link URL on the same artwork.
  • Producing test codes for POS, e-commerce and warehouse scanner trials.

How it works

  1. Pick a resolver

    Default to https://id.gs1.org or point to your brand resolver if you operate one.

  2. Enter the GTIN

    GTIN-8/12/13/14. The check digit is verified and the value is padded to 14 digits.

  3. Add AIs as needed

    Batch (10), serial (21) and dated attributes (15, 17, 3103). All optional.

  4. Choose QR or DM

    QR for consumer phones; Data Matrix for healthcare, fresh food and small parts.

  5. Download PNG or SVG

    SVG for print artwork; PNG for screens and quick proofs.

What to avoid

  • Hand-rolling the URL — get the path-vs-query split for path AIs vs data attributes wrong and many scanners will reject it.
  • Skipping the GTIN check digit — the URL will validate as a string but fail every conformance check.
  • Encoding sensitive data (lot recall flags, internal SKUs) in the URL — anyone scanning sees it in plain text.
  • Forgetting to print human-readable GTIN + batch + expiry near the 2D code for backup.
  • Rolling out at scale before testing on the actual retailer's POS scanner.

Tips & tricks

  • Use this together with the GS1 Digital Link Decoder on this site to round-trip-test your output.
  • Keep URLs short — the longer the payload, the denser (and harder to scan) the 2D code.
  • For variable-weight items, pair GTIN + 3103 (net weight) — most POS systems already understand it.
  • Stick to https:// resolvers — some scanners reject http for security policy reasons.
  • If you migrate from GS1-128, keep the same GTIN so existing master data still matches.

Private by default

URLs are composed and rendered locally with qrcode and bwip-js. The GTIN, batch, serial and other values you enter never touch our servers.

Frequently asked questions

What is a GS1 Digital Link?
A GS1 Digital Link is a web URL that carries GTINs and other GS1 Application Identifiers in a structured, scannable format. Example: https://id.gs1.org/01/09506000134352/10/ABC123 encodes GTIN 09506000134352 with batch ABC123. Brands use it to link a single 2D code to product info, traceability data, instructions and marketing.
What is Sunrise 2027?
Sunrise 2027 is GS1's global initiative for retailers and brands to be ready to accept 2D barcodes (QR / Data Matrix encoding GS1 Digital Link) at point of sale by the end of 2027. This generator produces URLs that conform to the GS1 Digital Link URI Syntax used by Sunrise 2027.
Which AIs are supported here?
GTIN (01) plus the four most common qualifiers and attributes: batch/lot (10), serial (21), expiry YYMMDD (17), best-before YYMMDD (15) and net weight in kg with three decimals (3103). Path AIs (10, 21) are placed in the URL path; data attributes (15, 17, 3103) go in the query string per the GS1 DL standard.
QR or Data Matrix — which should I pick?
Both are valid for GS1 Digital Link. QR is friendlier for consumer phones; Data Matrix is the established choice in healthcare, fresh food (variable-weight) and small-item marking. If you already use Data Matrix on packaging, stay with it.
Will retailer scanners actually accept it?
Modern POS scanners increasingly recognise GS1 Digital Link URLs and extract the GTIN automatically — that is the whole point of Sunrise 2027. Always test with the actual scanner model your retailer uses before mass-printing.
Is the URL I enter sent anywhere?
No. The URL is composed and rendered locally with qrcode and bwip-js — no server roundtrip, no logging.

Related tools

GS1 Digital Link Decoder
Round-trip-test the URL you just generated.
Sunrise 2027 Guide
Why retailers are switching to 2D barcodes by 2027.
GTIN Validator
Verify a GTIN-8/12/13/14 check digit.
QR Code Generator
Plain QR codes with full styling control.