What is a GS1 Digital Link QR code?
GS1 Digital Link is the GS1 standard that packs your product identifier (GTIN — the number in your UPC or EAN barcode) into a web address, like https://id.yourbrand.com/01/00012345678905, and encodes it in a QR code. One scan works at retail checkout and opens your product page on a shopper’s phone.
What is GS1 Digital Link?
GS1 Digital Link is a ratified GS1 standard that uses a web address (URI) to carry GS1 data — your GTIN plus optional attributes such as batch/lot and expiry — inside a QR code or Data Matrix. Instead of a bare number, it encodes a resolvable link like https://example.com/01/09506000134369, where the 01 prefix marks the GTIN. That single code both identifies the product like a traditional barcode and, when scanned with a phone, can open a product web page.
What is a GS1 Application Identifier (AI)?
A GS1 Application Identifier is the field of two or more digits at the beginning of an element string that uniquely defines the format and meaning of the data that follows. For example, AI (01) marks a GTIN, AI (10) a batch or lot number, and AI (17) an expiry date in YYMMDD form. AIs are how a single barcode can carry several pieces of structured data — this converter uses them when you add a lot (AI 10) or expiry (AI 17) to your code.
What is GS1 Sunrise 2027?
Sunrise 2027 is the GS1 industry milestone by which retail point-of-sale systems worldwide are expected to scan 2D barcodes (QR codes with GS1 Digital Link) alongside traditional UPC/EAN barcodes. Converting your existing UPC or EAN codes to GS1 QR now gets your packaging ready ahead of the transition.
How do I convert a UPC or EAN barcode to a GS1 QR code?
Enter the 8, 12 or 13-digit number printed under your barcode (or drop a photo of the barcode and we’ll read it). The converter zero-fills it to a 14-digit GTIN, builds the GS1 Digital Link, and renders a QR code you can download as SVG, PNG, PDF or EPS — one at a time or in bulk from a CSV file.
Do I need my own website domain to make a GS1 QR code?
No. Choose the "No domain — element string" output and the QR code encodes your product data directly in GS1 element-string (AI) syntax, readable by any GS1-capable scanner. If you do have a domain, the Digital Link output also opens your product page when shoppers scan with a phone camera.
Can I use these as retail QR codes or product QR codes on packaging?
Yes. A GS1 Digital Link QR code is a true retail QR code: the same 2D code scans at point-of-sale like a UPC/EAN barcode and doubles as a product QR code that opens your product page when a shopper scans it with a phone. That is the idea behind Sunrise 2027 — one QR code for products that replaces the separate barcode-plus-marketing-QR setup.
How does this relate to the Digital Product Passport (DPP)?
The EU Digital Product Passport, coming under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, needs a scannable data carrier on each product, and GS1 Digital Link QR codes are a leading choice. Encoding your GTIN in a GS1 Digital Link QR now gives you the on-pack link a Digital Product Passport can later resolve to compliance, materials and recycling data.
Can I use GS1 QR codes for inventory and product labels?
Yes. Generate a QR label for each GTIN and print it on shelf tags, cartons or asset labels — a scan returns the product identifier for QR inventory tracking, stock counts and reordering. Use batch CSV mode to turn a spreadsheet of GTINs into a full set of QR labels in one download.
Is this GS1 QR converter free?
Yes — single conversions and batch CSV conversion with ZIP export are free, with no signup required.
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