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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. 1Step 1
    Pick a resolver

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

  2. 2Step 2
    Enter the GTIN

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

  3. 3Step 3
    Add AIs as needed

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

  4. 4Step 4
    Choose QR or DM

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

  5. 5Step 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

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